Chakra 1: The Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The first chakra of our energy system is called the Muladhara chakra meaning Mul (Base)- Adhara (Support). This is the perfect name for this chakra as our root chakra enables us to connect to the earth and feel grounded. It is also the first inner body chakra located at the base of the spine. The root chakra is where we receive our life force energy from and it is also the chakra which helps us to ground our soul into it's physical body. Damage to the root chakra is in my opinion most common.
Together we will explore:
A few facts about the Muladhara Chakra
Common imbalances of the Root Chakra
Tips on how to bring more balance to this energy centre
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Facts about the Muladhara Chakra
The root chakra is located in the base of the spine and will often be associated with the hips and genitals. It's nature is also associated with the feet, legs, bones and large intestine due to their innate ability to help us feel grounded and anchor us to the earth.
This chakra is associated with the colour red which also represents the densest energetic light vibration. If we were to look at the energetic light wave of the root chakra it would be long and wide.
This chakra hold concepts about how we put ourselves out into the world, how successful we are at surviving (both of these are of yang energy) and also how capable we are at receiving material assistance (this is a yang element). All chakras express both yin (divine feminine) and yang (divine masculine) elements.
Holds some of our densest emotions like fear due to it's drive for self preservation.
Holds our "roots": ancestral trauma, family values, beliefs, heritage. Feelings about ourselves, right to take space, right to exist and to be loved.
Common Imbalances of the Root Chakra
Overly or under eating. Extremes include obesity and anorexia.
Operating in a fear mindset (hoarding, becoming work obsessed): Fear of not having enough.
Obsessions with the material world and possessions. Always seeking external validation.
Digestive issues
Sexual dysfunctions and reproductive issues
Family dysfunction (emotional, physical, mental, spiritual)
Questions about food, shelter & basic needs (root needs to feel safe)
Addictions to alcohol, hard drugs, gambling, sex, overeating, cutting
Rectal problems
Gender role confusion
Nervous system diseases
Could you have an unbalanced Root Chakra?
Answer the following questions to help you evaluate the health of your Root Chakra. These questions can help you to determine potential imbalances in your root chakra which we can address next.
Do you spend time outdoors in nature?
Do you consider yourself a workaholic?
Do you view yourself with love? Consider how you speak to yourself and view your physical body.
Can you quickly make decisions for yourself?
Do you have a regular mindfulness practice?
Tips on Bringing Balance the Root Chakra
Colours: Visualize the colour red using your third eye or work with your FREE Root Chakra Wallpaper when you subscribe to my mailing list. Try incorporating more red colours in your life through the way you dress or in your home design.
Crystals: Wear crystals or have them close by. The best crystals to work with when trying to bring balance to your root chakra are:
Ruby
Garnet
Hematite
Red Jasper
Always remember to cleanse your crystals before using them. I like to use sage and bless each of my crystals with a new intention in order to help reset it's energy.
Food: Eating protein rich foods and root vegetables really help the body feel nourished and grounded. I always recommend you source local organic & humanely raised meats as often as possible. This will ensure that you get the best meat quality which is filled with nutrient dense vitamins and minerals. Organic and humanly raised meat also do not carry any harmful additives such as added hormones, food colouring, preservatives, antibiotics and you can rest at ease knowing that the animal was raised and killed in a humane way. If you'd like cooking inspiration on how to prepare nutrient dense foods, be sure to check out my Eat Well Recipe Books & Cooking Classes. I share a quarterly Recipe book which includes tons of healthy recipes as well as a virtual Cooking Class to ensure you successfully accomplish each meal in the kitchen. Click HERE to explore my latest Recipe Books.
Herbs: Medicinal herbs that help to balance the energies of the root chakra include dandelion, raspberry leaf, ginger, cinnamon, ashwaganda and hibiscus. Try one herb or a combination as a steeped tea and explore the effects they have on the energy body. WARNING: Be mindful and check with your doctor before you try any herbal medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are on any other pharmaceutical medicines!
Sound: Using sound to help balance the root chakra is a fun and creative way to tune into it's energy. If you read my previous post (7 Chakras explained + Tools to help Balance & Align your Energy Centres) I spoke about how each chakra vibrates at a specific light coloured wave length. This wave can also be represented by sound- the "c" note to be exact. Singing bowls are great tools to use for this exercise as they spread waves of energy within a specific vibration speed. If you don't have singing bowls then enjoy listening to this lovely singing bowl video I found on YouTube by Healing Vibrations. Click HERE to listen.
Singing: Singing specific mantras can also be a great tool to enhance the vibrational energy of your root chakra with the help of our vocal cords. When we sing, we actually create waves and ripples in the energy around us. This occurs as our vocal cords move and tap together like a wave, while simultaneously vibrating. These waves created by the vocal cords create sound which is then projected out of the mouth from the power of our diaphragm. Sing the root chakra mantra "LAM" in a middle "c" note and see how it makes you feel. Not sure what middle "c" sounds like? Listen to the video above and follow that pitch with your voice and sing "LAM". Hold the note for 5 seconds on your exhale.
Essential Oils: When looking to balance our root chakra we want to aim for warming and nurturing scents. These scents should be grounding. I find that the best essential oils for this task are those that have a sweet woody scent. Try rubbing a few drops these especial oils on your skin or in a diffuser and explore how they make you feel: cinnamon, ginger, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar wood, palo santo or frankincense.
Mindfulness: Ground yourself daily. Taking time each day to help you ground yourself in your physical body will help to bring your root chakra into balance. Remember that the root chakra is what connects you to your body. If it is not balanced you will most likely experience feelings of "being in the clouds". You can ground yourself by:
Walking barefoot in the grass and spending time in nature. Caring for plants outdoors or hugging a tree also help.
Practice mindful walking. A nice exercise which was encourage at Vipasanna was to walk outdoors in a slow and mindful manner. As you walk be super present with every step you take as it connects to the earth.
Become aware of your physical body and any pain you are experiencing. If you experience pain often it is possible to develop the habit of disassociating from your physical body. This will unground you in the long run. Allow yourself to feel into your pain and let it speak to you. This will help you connect with your pain in a more meaningful way which can even align you towards taking action steps towards healing and addressing any physical pain you may be experiencing.
Do more physical activities that help you ground down. Running, and yoga are wonderful exercises to help you ground down. Be sure to check out my Yoga On DEMAND as I offer special yoga classes and guided meditation targeted towards grounding and strengthening the root chakra. Join us HERE.
Yoga: A few yoga poses which will help you to feel more grounded are those that happen on your feet! Standing poses, balances, and long holds help your body to feel grounded by increasing the flow of energy in your feet, legs and hips. Try these poses:
Tree Pose
Crescent Lunge Pose
Half Moon Pose
Be sure to also try my 1-Hour Vinyasa Flow to Balance & Activate your Root Chakra found on Yoga On DEMAND. When you join Yoga On DEMAND you'll get full access to this class & 90+ Archived classes with new classes being added every Monday-Friday during our LIVE yoga sessions starting from 9 AM EST -10 AM EST. Click HERE to join.
I hope that you have enjoyed learning more about your Root Chakra. Please share any comments you'd like to share down bellow. I'd love to hear! As always, if you have any deeper lingering questions you'd like answered about the state of your root chakra I encourage you to schedule a 30-60 Minute Energy Reading HERE.
Have a beautiful rest of your day. I am sending you all so much Love & Light!
Renelle B
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