Okay, friends, settle in. Today we’re diving into something a little less talked about in the usual chakra circles—but something incredibly important: the Lung Chakra.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Wait, isn’t that just the Heart Chakra?” Sort of. But stay with me.
While the Heart Chakra (Anahata) is definitely the energetic center of love and connection, there’s a unique layer that weaves in directly with our lungs—with how we breathe, how we process grief, and how we literally and energetically take in life. This is what some traditions refer to as the Lung Chakra: a subtle aspect of Anahata, focused specifically on the breath and emotional release.
So yeah—let’s call it the Lung Chakra for today’s practice.
Why This Matters (Beyond Just Woo-Woo)
Your lungs are not just air pumps. They are deeply tied to your emotional landscape. Ever notice how your breath changes when you’re sad? Or how hard it is to take a deep breath when you’re feeling anxious?
That’s your Lung Chakra telling you something.
When this chakra is open and balanced, you feel like you can breathe fully—not just physically, but emotionally too. You feel lighter, more present, more open. But when it’s out of whack, you might feel constricted. That could show up as shallow breathing, tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, or even chronic coughing. Emotionally, it often links to grief—especially the kind that sits with us long after we’ve “moved on.”
The Breath Is Everything
One of the things I always say in class is: Your breath is your anchor. And when it comes to this energy center, that couldn’t be more true.
The Lung Chakra responds beautifully to breathwork. Think pranayama—alternate nostril breathing, 4-7-8 breath, even just a few minutes of intentional deep inhales and slow, audible exhales.
You don’t need to complicate it. Just breathe consciously and often. That alone can begin to clear stagnant energy and stuck emotion from your chest.
Let’s Try This Right Now
If you’re reading this somewhere quiet, give this a go.
- Sit upright. Relax your shoulders.
- Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
- Take a slow inhale through your nose, feel your chest expand.
- Hold it gently at the top.
- Now exhale through your mouth, slowly, like you’re fogging up a mirror.
- Do that a few more times.
And as you breathe, try saying quietly in your mind:
“I release what I no longer need.”
“I open myself to love and light.”
Feel that? That’s your Lung Chakra waking up.
How to Support Your Lung Chakra Outside of Yoga
You don’t have to be on your mat to do this work. Here are some simple ways you can support this area of your energy body:
- Get outside. Fresh air = fresh prana. Go for a walk. Breathe with the trees.
- Eucalyptus steam or essential oils. A few drops in the shower or diffuser work wonders.
- Cry if you need to. Seriously. Grief lives in the lungs. Tears help move it.
- Practice forgiveness. Yourself. Others. Holding onto resentment tightens the chest—energetically and literally.
Last Thing Before You Go
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this:
Your breath is sacred. It’s not just keeping you alive. It’s your access point to healing, presence, and connection.
Tend to it like you would a beloved garden. Give it space. Nurture it. And it’ll return the favor in ways you can’t imagine.