Introduction
Energy healing has become increasingly popular as more people look for ways to release stress, improve emotional well-being, and enhance their connection to the body and mind. Two powerful methods that often come up in these discussions are Access Bars and chakra balancing.
At first glance, they might seem like completely different practices — one rooted in modern energy work and the other in ancient Eastern traditions. Yet, many people who experience Access Bars sessions report effects that sound remarkably similar to what happens during chakra balancing. So, are they connected? Let’s explore.
What Are Access Bars?
Access Bars is an energy healing technique developed by Gary Douglas in the 1990s as part of the Access Consciousness® system. It involves lightly touching 32 specific points on the head, each linked to different aspects of life — such as creativity, money, joy, control, awareness, and communication.
During a session, a practitioner gently touches these points (called “Bars”), which helps release the electromagnetic charge of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that limit you.
People who receive Access Bars sessions often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more relaxed — as if their mind has been “reset.” Some compare the experience to decluttering the brain, leaving behind more space for calmness and creativity.
Understanding Chakra Balancing
The concept of chakras comes from ancient Indian philosophy. Chakras are energy centers located along the spine that regulate the flow of energy (known as prana or life force) throughout the body. There are seven main chakras, each associated with a specific color, area of the body, and emotional or spiritual function:
Root Chakra – Grounding, stability, survival
Sacral Chakra – Emotions, creativity, relationships
Solar Plexus Chakra – Confidence, power, self-esteem
Heart Chakra – Love, compassion, connection
Throat Chakra – Communication, expression, truth
Third Eye Chakra – Intuition, insight, imagination
Crown Chakra – Spirituality, higher consciousness, connection to the universe
When chakras become blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to emotional, physical, or energetic distress. Chakra balancing aims to restore harmony by clearing blockages and allowing energy to flow freely again.
How Access Bars and Chakra Balancing Relate
At their core, both Access Bars and chakra balancing aim to restore balance and flow in the energy body. While their approaches and origins differ, they share several underlying similarities:
1. Both Work with Subtle Energy
Even though the systems use different terms — “Bars” versus “chakras” — both deal with the movement of subtle energy within and around the body. Access Bars sessions release stagnant energy held in the mind, while chakra balancing clears energy blockages in the body’s energy centers.
2. Emotional and Mental Clarity
People often report that Access Bars helps them release emotional stress, anxiety, or mental fog. Similarly, chakra healing brings emotional balance and inner peace. Both create a sense of mental clarity and lightness by dissolving energetic “clutter.”
3. Deep Relaxation and Stress Relief
A session of Access Bars can induce deep relaxation, often compared to a meditative state. Chakra balancing techniques like Reiki, sound healing, or meditation can do the same. In both cases, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, allowing the body to rest, repair, and rejuvenate.
4. Expansion of Consciousness
Another connection lies in how both practices encourage greater self-awareness and spiritual growth. Access Bars helps people access more awareness and possibility, while chakra work raises one’s vibration and connection to higher consciousness.
Are They the Same Thing?
Not exactly.
Access Bars focuses on releasing mental and energetic limitations stored in the brain through physical touch points, while chakra balancing works on the body’s energy system as described in traditional spiritual frameworks.
However, the outcome — a sense of balance, harmony, and inner peace — often feels quite similar. Many energy practitioners find that combining both methods amplifies their benefits. For instance, one might start with chakra meditation and follow it with an Access Bars session to deepen relaxation and integration.
Benefits of Combining Access Bars with Chakra Work
When practiced together, Access Bars and chakra balancing can complement each other beautifully:
Deeper energy clearing – Access Bars clears mental blockages, while chakra work clears emotional and energetic ones.
Faster emotional release – Both techniques help release suppressed emotions and past conditioning.
Improved intuition and focus – Many clients report enhanced awareness and intuition after combining these modalities.
Enhanced spiritual connection – Together, they support alignment of mind, body, and spirit.
Ultimately, it’s about tuning into what resonates with you. You don’t have to choose one over the other — both can work harmoniously to create a more balanced energy field.
What to Expect in an Access Bars Session
If you’ve never tried Access Bars before, here’s what a typical session looks like:
You lie down comfortably on a massage table or recliner.
The practitioner gently touches specific points on your head.
You may feel warmth, tingling, or waves of relaxation.
Many people fall asleep or enter a deep meditative state.
Afterward, you might feel lighter, calmer, or more open.
Sessions usually last 60 to 90 minutes, and the results can be both immediate and cumulative.
FAQs about Access Bars and Chakra Balancing
1. Can Access Bars unblock chakras?
While Access Bars doesn’t specifically target chakras, it often produces a similar effect. By clearing limiting thoughts and energetic stagnation, the body’s natural energy flow — including the chakras — becomes more balanced.
2. How often should I have an Access Bars session?
It depends on your goals. Some people benefit from a weekly session for deep transformation, while others prefer once a month for maintenance and relaxation. Trust your intuition and your body’s feedback.
3. Can I combine Access Bars with meditation or Reiki?
Absolutely. Access Bars complements other energy practices beautifully. Many people use it alongside meditation, Reiki, yoga, or chakra healing to deepen relaxation and enhance results.
Conclusion
While Access Bars and chakra balancing come from different traditions, both serve a shared purpose: restoring balance, releasing limitations, and reconnecting you with your natural flow of energy. Whether you experience them separately or together, both practices can help you feel more grounded, peaceful, and aligned — mind, body, and spirit.
Exploring these modalities can be a gentle yet profound way to clear energetic blocks and open yourself to greater awareness, ease, and joy in everyday life.
