Introduction to the root chakra
The root chakra is the first chakra. In Sanskrit muladhara. Mula means root and dhara means flux.
Root chakra is about feeling safe and secure, about your self-esteem, and feeling comfortable in your own skin and also feeling like you belong in society.
The root chakra energies help you to feel grounded and connected to the Earth, letting you take root and then move forward with your life. When these energies are stuck, imbalanced, or blocked, your vitality and zest for life is under threat. When your sense of belonging is compromised or when you experience trauma, you are left feeling deeply insecure.
What does your childhood have to do with it?
Whether you feel secure or not has less to do with what means you have at your disposal, and more to do with how safe you felt as a child. If when you are an infant, your caregivers consistently give you what you needed to survive, you feel secure in the world. You understand that the world is somewhere that can provide for your basic needs and you feel trust. If your caregivers withheld or delayed giving you what you needed, or were inconsistent, you may feel like the world is not a safe place and lack that trust.
Where is the root chakra?
Is located between the tailbone and the perineum. It includes the adrenal gland, which governs your fight or flight response. Organs associated with the root chakra are;
- bladder
- colon
- large intestine
- skeleton
- feet
What happens when your root chakra is out of balance?
If there is an imbalance in your root chakra you may feel anxious , or have nightmares. Physical imbalances may manifest as problems in the colon, the bladder, with elimination, or with lower back, leg, or feet issues. Men may have prostate problems. Eating disorders can also be a sign of a root chakra imbalance.
What can you do for imbalances and blocks in the root chakra?
Meditation
Meditation connects you to a higher spiritual plane, and also grounds you. Connection to your higher self can give you what you need to feel safe.
The sense organ that corresponds to the first chakra is smell. You can light an essential oil candle whilst you meditate.
A root chakra meditation is best done outside if you can.
- Sit comfortably
- Close your eyes
- Feel your seat and legs connect to the ground
- With each exhale, let yourself feel a deeper connection to the Earth
- Imagine a small ball of red light at the base of your spine. In this ball is what you believe about safety, stability, support, and your right to be here
- With each inhale, feel the ball get bigger
As the ball gets bigger, try to feel safer, more secure, and more grounded.
If you want to use a mantra to support yourself, try repeating
I am here.
Yoga
- Pavanamuktasana, knee to chest pose
- Janu Sirsansana, head to knee pose, no need to fold all the way forward. Just tuck your chin and breathe.
- Padmasana, lotus, variation half lotus.
- Malasana, squatting pose, remeber you can sit on a block to support yourself and be more easeful.
Work your pelvic floor
Do Kegel exercises. Or practice Mula Bandha in your yoga practice, to help bring strength to the area of the first chakra. Here is a great article in yoga journal on how to practice mula bandha
Chanting
Chanting or toning sounds can help bring you back in balance. Sounds create will vibrations in the body , this can be healing. The mantra sound that corresponds to the root chakra is LAM. You can also chant OM.
Aromatherapy and good smells
The sense connected to this chakra is smell, to activate a sense of rooting and grounding these essential oils can be tried
- Cedarwood
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Oakmoss
- Patchouli
- Spikenard
- Vetiver
- Benzoin
Try positive affirmations
Find an affirmation that resonates and repeat when meditating or say throughout the day
- I belong.
- I am safe and I am grounded.
- I am here.
- I am connected to my body.
- I have everything I need.
- I trust in the good of the world.
- With every breath, I release anxiety and fear.
- I am at home in my body..
- I am all I need to be happy.
- I am worthy of love.
- I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
- I have everything I need.
- I inhale peace and exhale anything that no longer serves me.
Fun other ways to work with the root chakra
- Rolling your feet out with a foam roller or a tennis ball
- Indulge yourself with a massage
- Walk barefoot outside if you can
- Lie down, feel the weight of your bones supported against the earth.
- Try a savanna using a weighted blanket or cocoon yourself in a blanket and rest
- try gardening. Because you are close to the earth you will feel grounded
read more on chakras here
