“Reconciling the conscious and subconscious emotions in the specific arena of each chakra will create a flow of energy and personality in which the human is consistent and not defeated, and has conscious goals.” ~Yogi Bhajan
The Root Chakra (Muladhara मूलाधार) representing a place for our life to ‘take root’ and for the flow of energies to propel us forward on our life path.
Each chakra has an associated home and function. The first chakra is the muladhara, located at the base of the spine. Mula means root. The coiled serpent, creative potential, the kundalini, lies just beneath this chakra, making the muladhara key to awakening the shakti, which must rise up the sushumna nadi. Being the lowest chakra, this chakra is the most base and is associated with the element prithivi, or earth.
This is the survival centre, not intellectually but of pure instinct. The primal energy of survival is fight, flight, or freeze response and is initiated from Root chakra energy. This is your primal, animal nature of survival. Predominant survival sense is of smell, our oldest most primordial sense, then taste.
“This smells funny” your instincts might tell you despite all seeming to be well. “I have a good nose” says the balanced root chakra, trusting in ones instincts.
“Few men realise that their life, the very essence of their character, their capabilities and their audacities, are only the expression of their belief in the safety of their surroundings.” – Joseph Conrad
qualities - EMOTIONS & MENTALITY
– Like earth, slow to move
– Once moving, has great impact (earthquake)
– Sense of survival, security, self-preservation
– Perseverance, persistence, physical endurance
– Strength, vitality
– Hard working, even workaholic
– Works practically, gets hands dirty
– Sense for organization
– Creates something with longevity, procreation
– Loyalty, stability
– Stays away from conflicts
– Processes slowly, but has an elephant like memory
– Placid, patient, rather humble
– Sometimes lazy
– Love life: starting slow, but lasting
In yoga it said that most of our karmas reside in our root chakra. Relating to our family of origin and place of belonging, our tribe and school, where adaptive survival mechanisms are often first created. Depending on whether care-givers were emotionally available and basic needs were met or if care-givers were inconsistent or chaotic, one would have a different sense of trust, security and belonging which impacts many people into their adulthood.
Hence, when it comes to our psychological and spiritual nature, Root Chakra balancing helps us develop our personal integrity, self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Fear, programming, self imposed restrictions, abuse, so many things can happen that cause a blockage in this esoteric energy centre.
We can often tell when this chakra is out of balance for ourselves as we feel restless, insecure, have excessive anger/aggression, are impatient, greedy or obsessed with material matters.
These blockages can stunt our growth and personal development. In order for one to integrate the parts of ourselves casted into the shadows of the human psyche, we need to be grounded and self-confident.
Imbalances on a certain level of consciousness appear due to an excess or a lack of energy on this level.
– Fear (fear of change, illness, lack and loss)
– General fear for the future
– Inertia, stubbornness
– Greediness for space and food
– Accumulating stuff, attachment
– Lack of vitality and strength
– Weakness, fatigue, weak immunity
– Lack of practical sense
– Unstable personality
When I observe global current affairs via unsettling political media, agenda and discourse, this is the charka I relate to and where I find collectively we need to begin.
How safe do we feel amongst this chaos and these changes?
How much do we feel held and belonging as these upheavals create division amongst our people?
How connected are we to each other in this increasingly digitalised idealised alter-ego world of social media?
How much do we feel a sense of belonging to the Earth?
How resilient is the foundation of one's being in times of insecurity, material or immaterial?
“To be well adjusted to a profoundly sick world is no measure of health.” - Krishnamurti
how to rebalance the root chakra?
“If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.” ~ Rumi
Firstly ground and connect. Be in nature, go for long walks, be aware of the constant pull of gravity wherever you are and feel your feet on the ground imagining your feet opening to the earth and breathing roots into the ground.
Bring more restfulness into your life through restorative yoga, activate your parasympathetic nervous system with long deep breathing and receive body-work. Listen to tribal music, bathe in Earth resonance gong baths, dance and stomp your feet.
As you disconnect from superficial, materialistic drives and connect with your inner self you discover what truly matters. Disconnecting from these external pulls on our awareness whether from people or our own material distractions and vices, we can listen more clearly.
One of the key elements in healing Muladhara chakra is to learn to trust and love yourself and let go of fear. While meditation does connect you to a higher spiritual plane, it also serves to ground you. You may not always be able to trust that the world will give you what you need to survive, but connection to your higher self and trust in a power higher than yourself will give you what you need to feel safe.
“I am the poet of the body. And I am the poet of the soul.” ~ Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Yin Yoga for Root Chakra (Video)
1st Root Chakra Affirmations
I feel centred
I am home
I am connected to my body
My body is my home
I feel safe and secure
I stand for my values, truth, and justice
I have what I need
I am kind and compassionate to myself
I am infinite possibilities
I am grateful for challenges because they make me stronger
I am fearless
I trust myself
I love myself
I nurture myself with healthy food, clean water, clean air, exercise, relaxation, and connection to nature
More about Chakras
Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System by Anodea Judith
Adodea Judith on the First Chakra