This Chakra is also known as the Root Chakra and is called the Muladhara and is positioned at the base of the spine or tailbone. It encompasses the first three vertebrae, the bladder, and the colon. The energy of this Chakra is based on the Earth element. It’s associated with the feeling of safety and grounding and lays the foundation for expansion in your life. The word Muladhara breaks down into two Sanskrit words: Mula meaning “root” and Adhara, which means “support” or “base.”
The root Chakra is comprised of whatever grounds you to stability in your life. This includes your basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as your more emotional needs such as letting go of fear. When these needs are met, you feel grounded and safe, and you tend to worry less day to day.
If there is an imbalance in the root chakra you may experience anxiety disorders, fears, or nightmares. Physical imbalances may manifest as problems in the colon, with the bladder, with elimination, or with lower back, leg, or feet issues. In men, prostate problems may occur. Eating disorders may also be a sign of a root chakra imbalance.
Healing and Re-balancing your Root Chakra
The Root Chakra controls the adrenal glands, kidneys, spine and the whole of the nervous system. It promotes physical survival, vitality, stability, patience, courage and material success.
There are a number of ways to ensure that this Chakra is balanced and clear.
Mediatation
Connection to your higher self and trust in a power higher than yourself will give you what you need to feel safe. It does not matter if you call that higher power Consciousness, Mother Nature, God, or Spirit. Connection to universal energy will bring you a sense of peace and stability. The sense that corresponds to this Chakra is smell. While meditating, focus on the tip of your nose to help align the root and bring forth the qualities you need to balance your Root Chakra.
Yoga and Chanting
Yoga is a good all-rounder for balancing the body. Try poses like the knee to chest (Pavanamuktasana pose), head to knee (Janu Sirsansana Pose), lotus position (Padmasana) and squatting (Malasana Pose).
Chanting or toning sounds can also help bring you back to balance. Just as music brings people together, sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in harmony. The mantra sound that corresponds to the Root Chakra is LAM.
The Root Chakra colour is red. Gemstones for the first chakra include:
- Garnet – Garnet is a fantastic stone for survival. It enhances instincts, boosts energy levels, supports courage, and helps you to adapt to changes in your life.
- Red Jasper – Red Jasper is excellent for reducing stress and increasing your focus towards any task. It enhances the determination and instincts needed for new beginnings.
- Black Tourmaline – Known for protection and grounding on all levels, Black Tourmaline is also an excellent purifying stone. It transmutes negative energies within the body into positive ones for healing.
- Haematite – Well known for grounding, Haematite protects the aura by balancing energetic systems in the body. In doing so, subconscious thoughts and knowledge are more understandable on a conscious level.
- Smokey Quartz – An excellent protective and grounding stone, Smokey Quartz also assists in blocking geopathic stress from affecting the aura. It can strengthen resolve to overcome harmful behaviours.
- Obsidian – A grounding stone, Obsidian is excellent at absorbing negative energies on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. This makes it an excellent choice for healing work.
- You can place the gemstone on the area of the chakra while lying down to help open and align it.
Please see our Gemstone section for products that can assist you with healing and balancing your Root Chakra.