Okay yogis, this one’s going to be fun. Today, we’re talking about something a bit less mainstream—the Nose Chakra.
Yup. You heard that right. The nose has a chakra too.
Now, before anyone runs to their chakra charts looking confused—no, this one isn’t on the classic seven list. But like the Lung Chakra or Mind Chakra, the Nose Chakra is one of those subtle energy centers that you start to feel more than you read about.
And once you tune into it, you’ll wonder how you ever ignored it.
So What Is the Nose Chakra, Exactly?
Let’s think of the Nose Chakra as your instinct center. It sits right at the bridge of your nose, where breath, scent, and subtle intuition meet.
Physically, the nose is our gateway for breath (life force!) and smell (our oldest, most primal sense). Energetically, it links to clarity, direction, and inner knowing. Some people say it’s closely tied to Ajna (the Third Eye), but where the Third Eye is more about vision and perception, the Nose Chakra is more about sensing what’s real—on a gut, animal level.
It’s your sniff test chakra. The one that knows when something’s off, even if you can’t explain it.
Signs Your Nose Chakra Might Be Blocked or Sluggish
Okay, time for a little check-in. Any of these sound familiar?
- You feel lost or indecisive, like your internal GPS is glitching.
- You tend to ignore your gut feelings—then regret it later.
- You have a hard time detecting what’s “off” in situations or people until it’s too late.
- Physically, you deal with nasal congestion, sinus issues, or poor sense of smell.
- You’re disconnected from your breath—or you forget to breathe when stressed.
All of this can point to an underused or unbalanced Nose Chakra. And the good news? It’s surprisingly easy to tune back in.
Breath + Scent = Magic for the Nose Chakra
If there’s one sense that anchors this energy, it’s smell. Seriously. Our sense of smell is wired straight into our limbic brain—the emotional and survival brain. So using scent is a powerful way to wake up this chakra.
Try this:
- Close your eyes.
- Gently plug your right nostril, and breathe in slowly through your left nostril.
- Hold for a moment.
- Switch sides and exhale through your right.
- Repeat, alternating sides, for a few minutes. (This is called nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing.)
While you do this, visualize a cool stream of awareness moving through your nose, bringing you clarity and alignment.
Want to go deeper? Add essential oils. Think grounding scents like frankincense, myrrh, or cedarwood—or cleansing ones like eucalyptus or peppermint. Just a few drops in your palms or a diffuser can shift the entire energy in your head and your space.
What the Nose Chakra Teaches Us
This chakra is all about trusting what’s right in front of you—what you can sense before you can name.
It sharpens our discernment. It helps us smell danger (literally and metaphorically). It helps us breathe deeply and live presently. When it’s balanced, you feel alert, intuitive, and aligned with your path.
It also helps you pause. Sniff the air. Listen to your inner “yes” and “no.” Get out of overthinking and into your instincts.
Ways to Work with Your Nose Chakra Daily
This isn’t just about sniffing incense in a yoga class. Try some of this off the mat:
- Breathe consciously before big decisions. One full inhale through the nose can calm the mind and activate instinct.
- Stop and smell something. No, really. Pause and inhale the scent of your tea, your shampoo, the forest air. That’s real mindfulness.
- Clean your nasal passage. Neti pot or saline spray = game changer for your breath and energy clarity.
- Follow your nose—literally and figuratively. If something smells off (even if it’s just an energetic vibe), trust that.
Final Thought for the Nose Chakra
You don’t need to be psychic. You just need to pay attention.
The Nose Chakra reminds us that we were born with instinct. With the ability to sense what’s safe, what’s nourishing, what’s aligned. It’s not loud. It won’t shout at you. But it’s always there, whispering through your breath.
So next time you’re unsure—don’t think harder. Breathe deeper.
Let your nose lead the way.
See you on the mat. Bring your nose with you.