Our bodies are made up of 7 powerful energy centers called Chakras. The chakra system starts at the base of our spine and moves up toward the crown of our head. In Sanskrit, chakra means ‘wheel’ or ‘disc’. The spiraling vortex of energy in each chakra center corresponds to different organs, functions of the body, or emotions. When our chakras are ‘open’ the energy can move freely but if an energy system is disrupted, it becomes ‘blocked’ and we suffer disease. The energy of your chakras influences your mindset, behavior, and wellbeing. You can help bring the energy of these powerful meridians into alignment through practical action.
MULADHARA - ROOT CHAKRA
Element: Earth – Stable energy
Color: Red – Red is the color of life force, it’s the color of our blood, the first color we see entering the physical world as we are born. It is stimulating and commands attention. It can signal danger and immediate action.
Sensation: Grounding - Grounding is a sensation of being secure and connected. It is being firmly rooted in your physical body and being energetically charged by the earth, finding a current that binds you to its calm unmoving stability. The chakra that is most strongly associated with a sensation of grounding is our Muladhara or Root Chakra.
Location: Base of spine
Organs: Bladder, large intestine, kidney, feet, legs, adrenal gland
Mantra: Lam
‘Mula’ means root while ‘dhara’ means base or foundation. This energy center is located at the base of your spine, near the pelvic floor and the first 3 vertebra.
The Muladhara Chakra governs our survival. We need a solid foundation at our base before we can build up our energy system. We need a sense of safety and security.
After the last year many of us may be suffering from an unbalanced root chakra as our general feelings of safety were threatened. Muladhara is instinctual and triggers our flight, fight, or freeze response. We've had the constant looming threat of Coronavirus, as well as the uncertainty of what the ‘new normal’ will look like in the months and years to come.
When Muladhara is out of balance we experience things like:
Fear and Anxiety
Nightmares
Lack of self-confidence
Anger/Rage
Inability to take action
When in balance we experience:
Feeling safe and secure
Free flow of energy
Confidence and strength
Fearless courage
Make decisions easily
Muladhara is a storage center for our earliest memories. It's where our deep-seated traumas lie. Working on the Muladhara chakra can trigger suppressed emotions and memories, processing and releasing them, freeing us to move our focus into other areas. When we are in balance, we have the confidence and courage to persevere through difficult times.
How to balance your Root Chakra:
There are a number of ways that you can work to bring balance to Muladhara. You can participate in a variety of therapies: psychological, somatic, or sound. You can use oils: Sandalwood, Rosewood, and Cedar/ Garnet, or Gemstones: black tourmaline, and bloodstone. You can meditate.
You can use affirmations:
I am strong
I am stable
I am fearless
I trust the universe
I have everything I need
The best way to find balance and grounding with Muladhara is through movement and action.
Some of the best Yoga poses for activating Muladhara are:
Shavasana - Corpse pose
Virabhandrasana – Warrior Poses
Tadasana – Mountain Pose
Malasana – Garland Pose / Squat
Balasana - Childs Pose
Other action-oriented ways of grounding and bringing balance to Muladhara:
Take slow deep breaths
Bare feet on earth
Hold something hot or cold
Take a walk
A long shower