If you practise Kundalini Yoga or are interested in the chakra system, sooner or later you will come across the question: how is sound connected to the energy within the body? Naada Yoga provides a very specific answer to this question – sound is not merely an acoustic sensation here, but a carrier of vibrations that directly affect the human energy system. In this post, we explain how this works and why working with the voice complements Kundalini practice so well.
What are chakras? – A brief reminder
Before we move on to the sound itself, it’s worth reminding those who are just beginning to explore this topic what chakras actually are. In the yogic tradition, chakras are energy centres situated along the body’s central axis – from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each of these centres is associated with a different sphere of experience: survival and a sense of security, emotions and relationships, personal strength and action, the capacity for love and compassion, communication and self-expression, intuition, and finally – a connection with that which transcends the individual „self”.
Chakras are not a physical structure that can be seen under a microscope – rather, they are a map of the subtle energy body used by various Eastern traditions, including yoga and Ayurveda, to describe the flow of life energy (prana) within the human body.
Sound as a tool that affects the energy body
In Naada Yoga, it is believed that sound vibrations – produced by the voice, the breath or the intonation of a mantra – do not stop at the level of the ear and hearing. It resonates within the physical body, but also affects the more subtle layers of the energy body, including the centres known as chakras. The use of sound vibrations and resonances in this practice serves, amongst other things, to alleviate difficult psychological and spiritual states, as well as to raise the level of consciousness precisely through the chakras.
In other words: it is through the chakras that a deeper connection is established between vocal practice and the flow of energy within the body. In this context, sound becomes a sort of „key” that unlocks the individual centres – not in a mystical or abstract sense, but as a concrete, tangible experience of focusing one’s attention and vibrations on a specific area of the body.
Traditional associations between sounds and chakras
In classical yoga, each of the main energy centres is traditionally assigned a specific seed sound (known as a bija mantra) with which that centre resonates most strongly. The most commonly cited sounds are LAM for the root chakra, VAM for the sacral chakra, ‘RAM’ for the solar plexus chakra, ‘YAM’ for the heart chakra, ‘HAM’ for the throat chakra, and ‘OM’ (or silence) for the third eye and crown chakras.
Working with these sounds in Naada Yoga does not involve mechanically „chanting” the appropriate syllable for a particular part of the body. Rather, it is an invitation to feel how a particular sound and vibration resonate in a specific area – and to observe what sensations, emotions or images are associated with it. For many practitioners, this experience is more tangible than purely visualisation-based work with the chakras, as sound provides an immediate, physical and perceptible point of reference.
Vibration and frequency – not to be confused with hertz
When working with the chakras, there is often a temptation to talk about the „frequencies” of individual energy centres in terms of precise physical values, measured in hertz. It is worth making a clear distinction here: in the tradition of Naad Yoga and work with the chakras, we speak of frequency and vibration in an energetic and subtle sense – not in terms of acoustic parameters that can be measured with equipment.
This distinction is not merely a linguistic formality. Naada Yoga is not based on the belief that there is a single universal „healing” sound that affects a particular chakra in every person. On the contrary – it is assumed here that each person has their own individual frequency and pitch with which their body and mind resonate best. Working with the chakras through sound is precisely about discovering this personal vibration, rather than reproducing pre-determined numerical values.
How does this work in practice – the flow of energy through the body
People who practise Naada Yoga regularly describe a distinctive experience: whilst working with sound, they feel a distinct flow of energy through the body – often described as a movement „from the top of the head through the hands, down to the feet and back again”, like a kind of energetic lift. This sensation is not a figment of the imagination – it stems from the fact that working with the voice simultaneously engages the breath, the muscular tension of the larynx and diaphragm, and focused attention directed inwards towards the body, which together create conditions conducive to sensing the flow of energy along the body’s axis.
For those who practise Kundalini Yoga, this experience is particularly familiar, as it resembles what is described as the movement of kundalini energy along the central channel (Sushumna) – from the base of the spine upwards, through the successive energy centres, right to the crown of the head.
Naada Yoga as a support for Kundalini practice
Kundalini Yoga and Naada Yoga, although they are distinct systems, complement each other very well – precisely because of their shared reference to the chakra system. In classical Kundalini practice, sound has long been present in the form of mantras, chanted or intoned in time with the breath and movement. Naada Yoga deepens this work by adding a more conscious, mindful approach to the very process of sound production – not merely repeating syllables, but sensing where and how a particular vibration resonates within the body.
Those who combine both practices often find that working with the voice helps them to enter more deeply into meditation and pranayama, as both systems – Kundalini and Naada – draw on the same energy centres and the same understanding of the flow of prana through the body. Sound then becomes another tool, alongside the breath, movement and mantra, for accessing the chakras and working with kundalini energy.
What not to expect
It is worth noting, in all honesty, that working with the chakras through sound in Naada Yoga is not a diagnostic or therapeutic method in the medical sense. It is no substitute for medical or psychotherapeutic consultation, and experiences such as the sensation of energy flow or emotional arousal are a subjective element of spiritual practice, rather than a clinically measurable phenomenon. This type of practice is best used as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, healthcare.
A practical tip to get you started
If you’d like to experience for yourself the connection between sound and the chakras, you can start with a simple experiment using the sound „HAM”, traditionally associated with the throat chakra – the centre linked to communication and authentic self-expression. Sit comfortably, take a calm breath, and as you breathe out, intone the sound ‘ham’ quietly and at length, focusing your attention on your throat and chest. Notice whether you experience any sensations – warmth, vibration, tingling – and what emotions or thoughts accompany them. This is a very basic but genuine introduction to how working with sound and the chakras is practised in Naada Yoga.
The Ayurvedic perspective – sound and the three doshas
It is worth looking at the subject of sound and energy from the perspective of Ayurveda as well, as both traditions – yoga and Ayurveda – stem from the same Indian school of thought and complement one another. In Ayurveda, every person has an individual constitution comprising three biological energies: vata, pitta and kapha. The same principle of individuality that we recognise in Ayurveda when selecting a diet or daily routine also applies when working with sound.
People with a predominance of vata energy – who are by nature more restless and prone to distraction – often use vocalisation as a way to ground themselves and calm the excess activity in their minds. Those with a dominant pitta constitution, who are prone to excessive intensity and irritability, can use sound to release tension and fiery energy in a gentler, less confrontational way. Conversely, those with a predominance of kapha, whose energy tends to be stagnant and sluggish, can use vocal work as a stimulating and revitalising stimulus.
This Ayurvedic lens shows that working with sound in Naada Yoga should never be treated as a one-size-fits-all, one-size-fits-all technique – just like diet or lifestyle in Ayurveda, it should be tailored to a person’s individual constitution and current state of balance.
The most common mistakes when working with sound and the chakras
People who are just starting to combine voice work with the topic of chakras often make a few common mistakes, which are worth being aware of before you get started.
Straining one’s voice in search of a „stronger” effect. A louder sound does not mean a stronger effect on the chakra. The practice of Naada Yoga is based on the quality of attention and resonance, rather than on strength or volume – straining one’s voice leads to tension rather than relaxation.
The expectation of immediate, spectacular experiences. Not every session brings a clear, „tangible” sensation of energy flow. This is normal and does not mean that the practice isn’t working – the effects often build up over time and with regular practice, just as with any other form of yoga or meditation.
Treating bija mantras as magic spells. Sounds such as LAM or HAM do not „work” on their own, in isolation from the practitioner’s mindfulness and intention. They are tools that support the process, not magic spells that guarantee a result regardless of the quality of the attention with which they are uttered.
Underestimating the role of breathing. In Naada Yoga, sound is always based on conscious breathing – attempting to work with the chakras using only the voice, without paying attention to the inhalation and exhalation, significantly limits the depth of the experience.
Frequently asked questions about Naada Yoga and the chakras
Does each chakra have exactly one, strictly assigned sound? Tradition sets out classic associations between sounds and individual chakras, but in practice, rather than rigidly sticking to a single syllable, it is more important to find one’s own, individual vibration with which a particular centre resonates best in a specific person.
Do you need to be familiar with the entire chakra system to start practising Naada Yoga? No – you can start practising without detailed theoretical knowledge of the chakras. Your understanding of this system deepens naturally through experience and practice, and does not need to be in place before your first session.
Is working with the chakras through sound the same as energising them with water or crystals? No – they are distinct approaches. Naada Yoga is based specifically on the sound vibrations produced by the practitioner’s own voice and breath, rather than on the properties of external objects.
Do you feel the flow of energy straight away during your first session? For some people, it occurs as early as the first session; for others, it develops gradually as they practise. The absence of an immediate, distinct sensation does not mean that the practice „isn’t working” – every energy process unfolds differently for each individual.
Summary
Naada Yoga regards sound as a bridge linking the auditory experience with the subtle energy body, including the chakra system. It is through the chakras that a deeper connection is established between vocal practice and kundalini energy, and working with one’s individual, personal vibration – rather than universal values measured in hertz – lies at the heart of this approach. For those practising Kundalini Yoga, Naada Yoga can become a natural, enriching complement to their existing practice.
Would you like to explore your work with the chakras and kundalini energy under the guidance of an experienced teacher? Take a look at our current range of one-to-one sessions and the next introductory course to find the form of practice that suits you best.