Toning the Chakras

What is Vocal Toning?

Toning is the creation of extended vocal sounds on a single vowel in order to experience the sound and its effects in other parts of the body.

No melody, no words, no rhythm, and no harmony - just the sound of the vibrating breath.  It’s a simple yet powerful technique, accessible to everyone regardless of vocal ability or training.  Through toning you can immediately experience the effects of sound on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By literally massaging body and mind from the inside out, meditative toning can help you focus and relax; release negative emotions; reduce stress; and improve stamina and concentration.

Toning synchronizes the brainwaves and helps relieve tension within a few minutes.  Toning is also a wonderful technique for developing your voice-ear connection and enhancing your power of listening to everything around you. Most of all, toning restores balance and harmony to the mind and body.  It can help you awaken and deepen your sense of self, and align you to the deepest vibrations of soul and spirit.  On the path of toning, you move toward the source of your own inner balance, creativity, well-being, and freedom.

What to expect From Toning

Let your inner Self respond, free from outer expectations.  While toning, pay attention to everything the vibrations may be awakening in you.  What is the effect of the tone?  Is it soothing?  Agitating?  Balancing?  Focus on the here and now.

It is very natural to experience physical sensations or emotions while toning, and it may not always be pleasant.  At times you may feel boredom, anger, or any other emotion, positive or negative.  Similar experiences are also well known in meditation, yoga, or any contemplative activity!  Know that these feelings are natural, and that they will pass.  Don't analyze the feelings or judge yourself for having them.  Persevere with open heart and mind, and you will begin to see results, sometimes subtle and sometimes surprising and amazing!

No two people experience toning in exactly the same way.  Honor and trust your own experience.  Experiment, and seek tones, which work for you.  Allow your voice and tone to bring you into the present moment, and toward self-awareness!  During and after toning, be open to everything the vibrations may be awakening in you.  Simply trust that whatever toning produces it will ultimately transform and heal your body and mind in the most appropriate way.  Don't seek a specific outcome or explanation while you tone, just focus on the here and now.  Open your awareness, and let your intuition guide you to insight. 

Toning the Chakras


(From the method taught by Jonathan Goldman)

This is a powerful technique to resonate and balance the chakras using vowel sounds. It is a good exercise to do every day, and is a great introduction to exploring the harmonics naturally present in the vowels.

Vowels carry the "information energy" of speech, whereas consonants act to break up the energy flow. In ancient Sanskrit, Hebrew, Chinese, etc, the vowel sounds are considered to be sacred. In other words, the vowel sounds carry the intention and focus.

Start by sitting comfortably in a chair or on a cushion on the floor. Try to keep your spine as straight as possible, which allows the energy to flow in your body more freely - it may help to imagine your head is suspended from above by a fine cord, letting your body hang below it naturally.

Make these sounds in a gentle voice - don't strain. Focus your energy and intent for balancing and energizing each chakra before toning. To find the correct pitch for a particular chakra, scan up and down feeling in your body for a resonance (apart from the throat where it will always resonate). The pitch will change according to the person, mood, diet, activities, emotional states, etc on a daily basis. There is no set frequency.

Breathe in deeply, expanding your lower stomach as you inhale. I imagine the energy of each breath coming into my body through whichever chakra I am working on, this can help to focus your awareness. You may also wish to add a colour visualization on each chakra. 

The first chakra (Root) - located at the base of the spine. Tone seven times with the deepest "UUH", as in "cup", a very low guttural sound just gently riding on the breath. Stay comfortable with the sound - don't force it. (Red).

Second chakra (Sacral) - located about 2-3 inches below the navel. Tone seven times using a higher pitched but still deep "OOO", as in "you". (Orange).

Third chakra (Solar Plexus) - located above the navel. Tone seven times using a higher pitched "OH", as in "go". (Yellow).

Fourth chakra (Heart) - located in the centre of the chest. Tone seven times using a higher pitched "AH", as in "ma". This is the sound that embodies compassion. (Green).

Fifth chakra (Throat) - Tone seven times using a higher pitched "EYE", as in "my". (Blue).

Sixth chakra (Third Eye) - located in the middle of the forehead slightly above the eyes. Tone seven times, using a still higher "AYE", as in "say". (Indigo).

Seventh (Crown) - Tone seven times using the highest pitched "EEE" sound, as in "me", you can comfortably make. (Violet or white).

Now sit in a space of silence and receptivity for 10 - 20 minutes to experience the energy. After this If you feel too light-headed tone an "aaaah" to bring the energy back to the heart, then an "ooooh" to bring the energy down to the sacral to be more grounded.

Vocalization + Visualization = Manifestation

Frequency + Intention = Healing 

Jonathan Goldman www.healingsounds.com