What are the foot chakras?
The foot chakras, also called the sole chakras, are small energy centers said to sit in the center of each foot, near the arch. They are associated with grounding, standing your ground and the sense of moving forward with steady footing.
They are part of the minor chakras. In the Usui Reiki training I received, they were handed down along with the figure of seven major and twenty-one minor chakras, and taught as something to meditate on, feel for in your own self Reiki, and test when working with someone, and not as established fact. That is how I share them here. For the bigger picture, see the minor chakras.
At a glance
| Also called | Sole chakras |
|---|---|
| Location | The center of each sole, near the arch |
| Color | Earthy tones (systems differ). I use warm copper. |
| Associated with | Grounding, standing your ground, stepping forward |
| Connected to | The root chakra, and the earth star below the feet |
| Part of | The twenty-one minor chakras in my Usui training |
Foot chakras, root chakra
and earth star
These three are often confused. Here is how I think of them, as a line from the body to the ground.
| Center | Where and what |
|---|---|
| Root chakra | At the base of the spine. Safety, belonging and the foundation of your body. |
| Foot chakras | In the soles of your feet. Standing, stepping and moving through the world. |
| Earth star | Below your feet. Your connection to the earth itself. |
Read more about the root chakra and the earth star chakra.
Signs of feeling
unsteady
People describe these. You don't need to see yourself in all of them.
Cold or distant feet
They feel cool, numb or far away from the rest of your body.
Feeling stuck
It's hard to move forward, as if your feet are glued in place.
Trouble choosing a direction
You hover at the edge of a decision and can't commit to a step.
Always on the move
Restlessness keeps you busy and unable to stand still or settle.
Clumsy or unsteady
You trip, stumble or feel off balance more than usual.
Disconnected from your body
You live in your head and rarely feel the ground under you.
These are descriptions from energy traditions, not medical symptoms. If you have persistent numbness, pain or coldness in your feet, talk with a doctor.
Feel for them:
a barefoot practice
Five minutes. Read it through once, then try it.
- Stand barefoot, with your feet about hip-width apart and your knees soft. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable.
- Feel the soles of your feet. Notice which parts touch the floor, the temperature, and any texture beneath you.
- Rock gently forward and back, and side to side, finding the center of each foot.
- Rest your attention at the center of each sole, near the arch. Notice any warmth, tingling, weight or nothing at all.
- Imagine your breath rising in through the soles and out through the crown, or sinking from your belly through your legs and out through your soles. Whichever feels natural.
- Take three slow steps, feeling each foot meet the ground. Then pause, press your feet into the floor and take a full breath.
Nothing needs to happen for this to be worthwhile. For more, see chakra meditation.
Caring for your feet
Tap a card to open it.
CareWarm foot soakWater and a little time
A warm foot soak at the end of the day is one of the simplest ways to settle. Add a pinch of salt if you like, breathe slowly, and notice the soles warming. It's an ordinary comfort, and it works.
CareGentle self-massagePress and roll
Roll each foot over a ball, or press gently into the arch with your thumbs. Go slowly and stay in a comfortable range. If you have pain, numbness or a health condition affecting your feet, check with your doctor first.
CareWalk barefootOn safe, natural ground
Grass, sand, soil and warm floors let your soles feel texture and temperature. A few minutes is plenty. Choose safe surfaces and watch for anything sharp or hot.
CareSupport and warmthShoes and socks that fit
Comfortable shoes with good support, and warm socks on cool days, make it easier to feel steady and at home. Persistent foot pain or cold, numb feet are a reason to see a doctor, not something to push through.
How Reiki can support grounding
In a one-on-one session, I work from head to foot, and ending at the feet is a natural way to ground. Many people find that a settled lower body makes everything above it quieter.
I can't promise a specific result, and Reiki is a complement to medical and mental health care, never a replacement. See my Reiki sessions for how to book.
A free activation
for settling the body
Reiki for Anxiety: A Nervous System Healing Transmission is a Reiki activation I recorded for settling the body. It is free on my YouTube channel. Put your feet on the floor as you listen, and let the weight of your body settle.
Reiki for Anxiety · A Nervous System Healing Transmission
You can listen any time, and if you drift off along the way, let yourself.
More to listen to
Three more to settle into.
Earth Day Reiki Healing
A Gaia grounding activation: she has been holding you all along.
Listen on YouTube
Morning Meditation for Positive Energy
A gentle morning meditation to begin the day settled.
Listen on YouTube
The Scarcity Body
A Reiki activation for the part of you that still counts what is missing.
Listen on YouTubeKeep exploring
Where to go next from here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the foot chakras?
The foot chakras, also called the sole chakras, are small energy centers said to sit in the center of each foot, near the arch. They are part of the minor chakras and are associated with grounding, standing your ground and moving forward. Different teachers describe them differently.
Where are the foot chakras located?
In the soles of the feet, usually described as near the arch in the middle of each sole. Some teachers place them closer to the ball of the foot. They are ideas from energy traditions and not physical organs.
What is the difference between the foot chakras, the root chakra and the earth star?
The root chakra sits at the base of the spine and is about safety and belonging in your body. The foot chakras are in the soles and are about standing and stepping. The earth star sits below the feet and is about your connection to the earth. They work as a line, from the body to the ground. See the root chakra and the earth star chakra.
What color are the foot chakras?
Systems differ. Earthy tones are the most common, such as brown, copper and deep red, and some use black. I use a warm earthy copper on this page. These are traditions and not rules.
What are the signs of a blocked foot chakra?
People describe cold or numb-feeling feet, feeling stuck, trouble committing to a direction, restlessness and feeling disconnected from the body. These are descriptions from energy traditions, not medical symptoms. Persistent numbness, pain or coldness in the feet is a reason to see a doctor.
How do you open the foot chakras?
Most people don't need to open them. Gentle practices, like standing barefoot, feeling the soles of the feet and breathing slowly, help you notice them. The practice on this page walks you through it. Go slowly, and don't force a sensation.
Do I need a Reiki attunement to feel my foot chakras?
No. Anyone can notice sensation in the soles of their feet. Reiki isn't required for the practice here.
Can Reiki help with the foot chakras?
Many people find Reiki settling for the whole body, including the feet. In a one-on-one session, I work from head to foot, and ending at the feet is a natural way to ground. I can't promise a specific result, and Reiki is a complement to medical care, never a replacement. See my Reiki sessions.
Guided by Carissa Andrews, Reiki Master and lineage holder.
Reiki is a complementary practice and not a substitute for medical or mental health care. No specific outcomes are promised or guaranteed. This page is educational and is not therapy or clinical advice.