First of the chakras, in sanskrit muladhara. Mula means root and dhara means flux.

Tell me about the root chakra?

The root chakra relates to whatever makes our life stable, our self-esteem, and our feeling grounded in ourselves & the world around us. If our primary needs (food, water, and shelter) are in place, we feel grounded and safe. 

Root Chakra energies help us feel grounded and connected to the Earth, letting us take root and allowing us to move forward on our life journey. When these energies are stuck, imbalanced, or blocked, our vitality and zest for life are compromised. When our sense of belonging is under threat or when we experience trauma, we are left feeling deeply insecure.

What does my childhood have to do with it?

Whether or not you feel secure now often has less to do with what you have at your disposal and more to do with how safe you felt as a small child. Considering psychologist Erik Erickson’s stages of development, the first stage—trust versus mistrust—is closely related to your root chakra development. As infants, if your caregivers gave you what you needed to survive with consistency, you felt secure in the world. You understood that the world was somewhere you could trust to provide for your basic needs. If your caregivers withheld or delayed in giving you what you needed, or were inconsistent, you may find you have first chakra blockages.

Where is the root chakra?

The Root Chakra is located in the area of the coccyx and the first three vertebrae. It is understood to include the adrenal gland, which governs our fight or flight response. Organs associated with the root chakra are the bladder, colon, large intestine, skeleton and feet. 

Imbalance

If there is an imbalance in the Root Chakra you may experience anxiety, 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.

What to do for Imbalance

1.Meditate

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 can give you what you need to feel safe.

The sense organ that corresponds to the first chakra is smell. While meditating, focus on the tip of your nose to help align the root. 

For root chakra meditation, go outside if you can. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Feel your seat and legs connect to the ground. Feel that sensation and breathe. 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. Allow red light to flow around your body. 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.

2. 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.

3. Pelvic Floor Exercises

Women can do Kegel exercises. Both men and women can practice Mula Bandha in their yoga practice, to help bring strong energy and strength to the area of the first chakra. Here is a great article in yoga journal on how to practice mula bandha

4. Chanting

Chanting or toning sounds can also help bring you back in balance. Sounds create vibrations in the body. The mantra sound that corresponds to the root chakra is LAM. You can also chant om.

5. Aromatherapy

Smell is the sense for this chakra, to activate a sense of rooting and grounding these essential oils are recommended

• Benzoin

• Cedarwood

• Frankincense

• Myrrh

• Oakmoss

• Patchouli

• Spikenard

• Vetiver

6. Positive Affirmations

Find an affirmation that resonates and repeat while meditating and say throughout the day

• I am connected and grounded to this earth.

• I am worthy of respect.

• I belong.

• I am safe and I am grounded.

• I am here.

• I have a right to be here.

• I am supported by Mother Earth.

• I am connected to my body.

• I have everything I need.

• I nurture my body with what it needs to flourish.

• 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 supported by those around me.

• I am all I need to be happy.

• I am worthy of love.

• I am rooted in this present moment.

• I am strong, steady, and grounded.

• I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

• I have everything I need.

• I feel safe in my body.

• My body is my home

• I inhale peace and exhale anything that no longer serves me.

• I am loved.

• I am strong.

• I am nourished.

• I am protected.

• I stand tall on my ancestors’ shoulders.

  
  

7. Enriching Exercises

Here are some exercises and experiences that connect to the root and can be practiced at small moments throughout the day;

• Rolling feet out with a spiky ball, tennis ball

• Foot massage

• Breathe and visualise roots growing with your breath

• Feet on the earth...barefoot walking on grass, stones sand etc.

• Lie down and notice your bones, feel the weight of your bones supported against the earth.

• Do a body scan your body noticing muscle and bone as you move through the body.

• Sensory experiences that create an Introduction to safety, such as savasana using a weighted blanket

• Gardening is close to the earth and can feel grounding