Chakra Sound Map: Tones, Vowels, and Focus Points
Your body is a living instrument. Each chakra, or energy centre, vibrates with a subtle resonance. When these centres are balanced, you feel grounded, clear, and connected. When they are blocked or out of tune, you may feel anxious, foggy, or cut off from your vitality.
Sound is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to restore this balance. By using specific vowel tones, mantras, and frequencies, you can gently tune your energy system — much like tuning a guitar.
This article is your complete map. It covers traditional chakra vowels, bija mantras, optional Solfeggio frequencies, and the influential vowel system developed by sound healing pioneer Jonathan Goldman, which many practitioners (including myself) use in workshops and courses.
By the end, you will have practical techniques you can try immediately, whether you want to calm the mind, awaken energy, or explore a deeper spiritual connection.
For a wider context, you can always return to the cornerstone guide: Sound Healing: The Complete Guide to Vibration Therapy.
How Sound Resonates with the Chakras
The chakras are subtle energy centres that influence physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. While each chakra has symbolic meanings, they also respond to vibration.
Vowels create resonance in different regions of the body.
Bija mantras (seed sounds from Sanskrit) add another layer of activation.
Frequencies (like Solfeggio tones) can be used as optional support.
The sound you make is not about being musical. It’s about feeling vibration where the body needs it.
Traditional Chakra Vowels and Bija Mantras
Here is the widely used chakra sound system, with vowel tones and bija mantras:
Root Chakra — Muladhara
Location: Base of the spine.
Theme: Safety, grounding, belonging.
Vowel tone: “OOO” (deep, rounded).
Bija mantra: “LAM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 396 Hz.
Focus: Heaviness in legs and feet.
Sacral Chakra — Svadhisthana
Location: Lower abdomen.
Theme: Flow, emotion, creativity.
Vowel tone: “OOOH.”
Bija mantra: “VAM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 417 Hz.
Focus: Swaying hips, fluid movement.
Solar Plexus — Manipura
Location: Upper abdomen.
Theme: Confidence, clarity, personal power.
Vowel tone: “OH.”
Bija mantra: “RAM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 528 Hz.
Focus: Warmth and steady brightness.
Heart Chakra — Anahata
Location: Centre of chest.
Theme: Love, compassion, coherence.
Vowel tone: “AH.”
Bija mantra: “YAM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 639 Hz.
Focus: Spaciousness behind the sternum.
Throat Chakra — Vishuddha
Location: Throat and neck.
Theme: Expression, truth, listening.
Vowel tone: “EEE.”
Bija mantra: “HAM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 741 Hz.
Focus: Cooling airflow in the throat.
Third Eye — Ajna
Location: Between the eyebrows.
Theme: Intuition, insight, clarity.
Vowel tone: “AY” or “Mmm/NG” hum.
Bija mantra: “OM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 852 Hz.
Focus: Light and focus behind the brow.
Crown Chakra — Sahasrara
Location: Crown of head.
Theme: Spiritual connection, presence.
Vowel tone: “OM” or breathy “S.”
Bija mantra: “OM.”
Optional Solfeggio: 963 Hz.
Focus: Expansive space above the head.
Jonathan Goldman’s Healing Vowels
Jonathan Goldman, a pioneer in sound healing, introduced a system of five healing vowels that correspond to the chakras and major energy centres. This system is widely used because it is simple and accessible.
“AH” — Heart. Brings love and compassion.
“EE” — Throat and head. Clears the mind and supports communication.
“I” (as in “eye”) — Third eye and crown. Awakens intuition and spiritual awareness.
“OH” — Solar plexus. Strengthens confidence and clarity.
“OO” — Root and sacral. Grounds energy and builds stability.
In practice, many sound healers (myself included) blend this system with the traditional chakra vowels. The overlap is strong, and the sequence is easy for people to remember.
When I use this in workshops, I often begin with the “OO” at the base, gradually moving up to “AH” in the heart, “EE” in the throat, and finally “I” at the crown. The effect is like a gentle energetic sweep that leaves people feeling balanced and refreshed.
Go deeper: Chakra Toning with Healing Sounds
A Guided Practice: Full Chakra Sequence
Here is a simple routine that blends traditional vowels with Goldman’s system:
Root (OOO or OO): Sit tall, exhale slowly on “OO.” Feel the pelvis settle.
Sacral (OOOH or OO): Hands on lower belly, exhale with “OOOH.” Invite flow.
Solar Plexus (OH): One hand above navel, exhale on “OH.” Feel strength build.
Heart (AH): Hands on chest, exhale with “AH.” Open and soften.
Throat (EEE or EE): Hands at throat, exhale gently on “EEE.” Feel clarity.
Third Eye (AY, Mmm, or I as in “eye”): Hands on forehead, tone lightly. Invite focus.
Crown (OM or I as in “eye”): Chant “OM” softly, let it fade into silence.
Finish with at least two minutes of quiet sitting. The silence after toning is often where the deepest integration occurs.
When to Use This Practice
Morning: Use it to energise and clear your mind for the day.
Evening: Use it to release stress and prepare for restful sleep.
During anxiety: Focus on root and heart tones for grounding and calm.
For creativity: Work with sacral and throat tones to open expression.
Further reading:
Safety and Adaptation
Keep the volume comfortable.
Stop if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Highly sensitive people may prefer shorter sessions — see Sound Healing for Highly Sensitive People: Gentle Practices.
For trauma-informed practice, stay with grounding tones like “OO” or “AH,” and avoid crown tones until you feel safe — see Trauma-Informed Sound Healing: Go Slow, Stay Safe.
Why Sound Works So Well with Chakras
Sound bridges body and energy. The breath slows, the nervous system calms, and vibration carries awareness to places we may have ignored. With practice, people report feeling clearer, lighter, and more at peace.
This is not abstract. It is tangible. Try humming, chanting, or toning, and notice how your body responds in real time. The more you practice, the more you realise that sound is not just heard — it is felt.
Further reading:
Take Your Practice Deeper
If you would like structured guidance with audio, timing, and breath cues, explore our online courses:
Chakra Toning with Healing Sounds — Use your own voice as medicine.
Chakra Meditations with Healing Sounds — Guided meditations to balance each energy centre.
Solfeggio Tones for Healing — Focused frequency practice for calm and clarity.
And for the full series, return to the cornerstone: Sound Healing: The Complete Guide to Vibration Therapy.
FAQ's: Chakra Sound Map
Which vowel system should I use — traditional or Jonathan Goldman’s?
Both work. Goldman’s system is easier for beginners, while traditional tones offer more detail for each chakra.
Do I need to chant loudly?
No. Gentle, steady sounds are most effective. Volume is less important than awareness.
How long should I tone each chakra?
One to three minutes is enough to start. Over time, you can extend sessions.
Do I need the exact frequency or pitch?
No. Focus on the feeling, not the formula. The right sound is the one that feels natural in your body.
Can I skip chakras?
Yes. Trust your intuition. Some days you may only want to focus on root and heart.
Can I use instruments with this map?
Yes. Bowls, forks, and gongs all support chakra resonance. See Singing Bowls vs Tuning Forks: Which Should You Choose? for guidance.
Further Reading
Chakra Healing with Sound: A Complete Guide
A step-by-step guide to using sound to balance and harmonise all seven chakras.
Voice Toning 101: Find Your Healing Vowels
Learn the correct vowel sounds for each chakra and how to use them in practice.
Chakra Meditations with Healing Sounds
Explore guided meditations that combine sound, focus, and breath for chakra healing.
Sound Healing for Emotional Release: Finding Your Voice
See how chakra-based toning can support the safe release of stuck emotions.
I look forward to connecting with you in the next post,
until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
