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The term chakra comes from the East, and is often talked about in yoga and Aryuveda.  It describes the different energy systems, meridians, or chi that intercept our body. This ancient wisdom has even been given validity from the West in medical research and studies. The chakras can be thought of as deeper energies, similar in structure to spinning wheels that are located along the length of your spine. We need to take care of our energy in deeper ways, since it’s easy to become unbalanced in our busy modern lives. We want to keep supporting the concept of wholeness, balance and synergy throughout our whole system. In this blog we’ll delve into the root chakra as we explore the anatomy of our energy centers. The root chakra is the first chakra, found at the base of the spine round the hips and sacrum. Predictably, it keeps us grounded, at peace with ourselves and our place in society.

The root chakra can come out of balance when our basic survival needs of stability, security and whatever we need to feel grounded is compromised. This can include food, water, shelter and safety (financial and other), along with emotional basic needs of connection. In the physical realm, the root chakra is associated with the adrenal glands, colon, kidneys, reproductive organs and pelvic bowl. When the root chakra is out of balance it’s common to experience typical modern life symptoms of stress such as feeling restless, lack of energy, anxiety, worry, panic, depression, frustration, resentment, anger, or having no interest in the world or in our own survival. Conversely, when the root chakra is balanced and energy flows freely, we feel a sense of belonging, and secure in our actions and choices. Mentally, we experience improved focus, resilience, ability to set goals, and ability to prioritize. Emotionally, a balanced root chakra will bring passion, love, and excitement into your daily life. So you could say it’s pretty vital to our happiness!

One of the simplest ways to take control and bring our root chakra back into balance is through our diet. What we eat doesn’t just affect us physically, it affects our emotions, our moods, and energies on many different levels. We are very complex beings and once we accept and acknowledge that, we can take advantage of the energy and how we can incorporate different strategies that boost our inner light and support us in being our best. To really nourish the root chakra from a food perspective, we need to be incorporating our earthy root vegetables. Think vegetables that are grown in the soil like beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, and yams. Any earthy, heavier things like nuts and seeds will support that grounding feeling you may crave when your root chakra is out of balance. There’s vibration in color, so when you’re feeling stressed and out of touch with your needs, reach for red plant foods such as apples, raspberries, and radish. The root chakra associates with the color red so any plant foods in this hue will nourish the energy there.

Red can also be harnessed in other ways when bringing balance to the root charka. Invite healing into your life by burning red incense, or red candles. Red stones such as red jasper, and bloodstone are grounding and resonate with the earth element. Essential oils with woody or earthy base notes such as vetiver, cedarwood, patchouli, black pepper and sandalwood can be worn mixed with a carrier oil, or burned at home whenever your root chakra feels out of balance.

One of the ways we can bring balance to the energy in our root chakra is to practice yoga. Yoga poses, or asanas, are designed to purify the nadis, or energy channels of the body. Naturally, there are poses dedicated specifically for clearing blockages and supporting the root charka. Not surprisingly, poses that allow us to feel grounded, where we balance through our base, and allow us to build a solid foundation are included in this group. Poses such as warrior II, forward fold, garland, high lunge and mountain pose stimulate the root chakra to increase energy or release excess energy. Hold each pose for five, slow deep breaths to enjoy the full benefit.

Meditation is a powerful tool in both, aligning the chakras and directing healing energy to specific areas of the body that feel stagnant or imbalanced. Focusing on rooting through the pelvic bowl, or root chakra, allows us to shift our focus there. As they say in yoga and Aryuveda, where the mind goes, the body follows. To meditate on the root chakra, sit in a quiet place and begin to take control of your breathing. Start to take slow, even breathe in and out through your nose. Once you feel centered and focused, bring your hands together in an upside-down triangle right below your naval. Your thumbs should be touching at the top, and the rest of the fingers pointing down towards the floor, also touching. This is known as a “mudra” in yoga, specifically the Yoni mudra. Yoni mudra, held at the root chakra is said to stabilize, strengthen and calm the nervous system by reducing stress. It’s also helpful for PMS, reproductive health and menstrual imbalances. When held in the space in front of the root chakra, it focuses on supporting the pelvic health including the urinary system. It also is said to be helpful for pregnant women experiencing birth anxiety, as it invites an intuitive aspect into our being. Now, sitting comfortably with hands in Yoni mudra, silently say the word, “Grounding” to yourself. Pause after each time and feel the energy flow. Repeat at least three, more times. When you feel ready, release the hands from the mudra, and feel if the area needs some more light and energy. Keeping your eyes closed to maintain focus inwards, breathe into the root chakra area for a few breaths. Then begin breathing again normally. To conclude, bring your hands together into prayer at your heart center and take a moment to feel gratitude.

Similar to the mudras, bandhas are energetic locks also used frequently to intensify meditation as an energy shifting tool. Energetic locks are believed to be effective in keeping your prana, or energy, inside your body. Bandha literally means to ‘hold’ or ‘control’. In a sitting meditation, it describes a posture where specific parts of the body or even organs are contracted and manipulated by the practitioner. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. The band specific for controlling the flow of energy to the root chakra is known as the mula bandha. Mula means root, source, or origin. It’s also the foundational chakra of the human body thanks to its location at the base the spine. This band is used when we need to lock the energy in and prevent it from draining downwards. It seals the foundation so that energy can rise upward. On a physical level, mula bandha consists of a contraction, a muscular lifting-up in the floor of the pelvis. When practicing mula bandha, contract the same muscles you would use to stop yourself mid-stream when going to the bathroom. You’ll notice a contraction of other muscles of the pelvic floor. As you learn to apply mula bandha and engage this deep internal contraction, you will feel the lift under the bladder, genitals, and rectum.  With practice, you will discover that it is possible to lift the floor of the pelvis deep inside without contracting. As with all things, the best way to master mula bandha is by practicing.

Forming the foundation of the rest of the body, the root chakra is often hailed as being the most important chakra. Nurturing this chakra before tackling other imbalances is vital if you wish to enjoy health, longevity and happiness. It’s our connection to earth, our sense of belonging and is very often in today’s fast paced world, overlooked. Take care of your root chakra and thrive towards your full potential.