Exploring a Mind–Body Lens for Mental and Physical Wellness
Since completing my yoga therapist training, I’ve been slowly weaving more yogic therapeutic elements into my clinical counseling practice. One of the most helpful bridges between traditional mental-health models and yoga therapy has been using the chakra system as a lens for understanding health, behavior, and emotional patterns.
Whether a client approaches chakras and “energy medicine” literally or metaphorically, the framework gives them another way of exploring what’s happening in their body and mind—and often opens new pathways for healing.
How Chakra Inquiry Supports Clinical Work
A simple example: a client arrives feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Instead of diving straight into cognitive or behavioral interventions, we might do a brief check-in with each chakra to identify what feels “off” or unbalanced.
If we notice root-chakra themes—such as feeling unsafe, untethered, or unstable—we would work with grounding practices.
The Root Chakra (Muladhara) relates to:
- Safety and survival
- A sense of belonging and the right to exist
- Grounding, centering, and stability
- The earth element
Because the client is experiencing the opposite of these qualities, our work might include:
- Breathwork with slow, steady rhythms
- Grounding postures and simple yoga sequences
- Connection with nature (walking, sitting on the earth, sensory awareness)
- Steady, rhythmic music—like a heartbeat
- Mantras or self-talk such as “I am safe. I have a right to be here.”
These interventions mimic many of the skills we use in counseling—particularly mindfulness practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). First, we help the client step back and regulate. Then, with clearer awareness, they can move toward the chakra’s core value—like security, grounding, or stability—and take committed action.
Chakras as a Lens for Physical Concerns
The chakra model is just as useful for physical symptoms.
For example, someone experiencing lower-back pain may benefit from practices associated with the root chakra. By focusing on grounding and opening through yoga postures, we help release tension and bring awareness to both the physical and emotional layers of discomfort.
Root-supporting postures might include:
- Mountain Pose
- Bridge Pose
- Child’s Pose
These movements lengthen, strengthen, and create spaciousness in the low back while reinforcing feelings of stability.
To help with pain, other root chakra focused practices like 3 part breathing or grounding in nature can be used to help a person take a step back and not “fuse” or panic with the pain but hold space for the pain so it can provide them feedback on what their body needs.
This Week’s Root Chakra Group Sequence
We launched our chakra group this week at the office—starting, of course, with Chakra One: Root (Muladhara). Below is the grounding sequence we practiced together.
🌿 Gentle Rooting Flow
- Mountain Pose (Tadasana) — Feel the soles of your feet; establish your root.
- Chair Pose (Utkatasana) — Build strength and stability.
- Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Right — Explore balance and grounding.
- Chair Pose
- Tree Pose, Left
- Goddess Squat (Utkata Konasana) — Inner strength, willpower, courage.
- Wide-Leg Forward Fold
- Return to Mountain, then Forward Fold, step back to Tabletop.
- Child’s Pose (Balasana) — Safety, surrender, breath into the back body.
- Cat/Cow
- Thread the Needle, Right
- Thread the Needle, Left
- Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana), Right
- Transition to Fire Logs Pose (Agnistambhasana)
- Move into Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana)
- Shift into a gentle backbend, lifting the pelvis and looking behind.
- Butterfly Pose, then repeat steps 13–16 on the left side.
- Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) or Supported Bridge
- Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) — Grounded rest; nervous-system reset.
For an audio guide with the above practice and playlist used for the group today, subscribe here to our bonus content.