Have you ever heard your yoga teacher or meditation guide referring to your chakras and wondered, “what the heck are they talking about?” Or, maybe you’ve seen images of the flower-like ‘yantras’ ascending from red to purple and wondered what they signified. In this article, we will be exploring what chakras are by going into depth about the root chakra.
ORIGIN
Writing around the chakra system was first identified in the Vedas, the oldest text in India dating back to 1500 BC. Traditionally the chakras were defined as focal points for meditation within the body. These focal points are where we associate emotion and spiritual energy in the body. It is important to note that the chakras are not concrete centers in the body, like organs, but rather fluid regions that connect and move into each other. The standard seven chakra system is a westernized concept that caters to the western ideas about the human body. To truly understand the chakras, you must understand that there are more than one chakra systems and those systems are not always defined by a number or placement of chakras.
That being said, it is sometimes best to learn the seven-chakra system first to begin to integrate chakras and energy work into your awareness. Once you integrate this awareness into your being, you can begin to explore and expand your knowledge around other chakra systems.
THE ROOT CHAKRA: Muladhara
In the seven-chakra system, the Muladhara, or root chakra, is the first chakra you work with. All of your energy works up to the crown of your head from the root. We start with the root because if the root chakra is blocked then energy will not be able to reach your other chakras. This chakra resides in the lower body around your sacrum. This is the ‘base’ chakra. Muladhara is associated with the color red, the element Earth, the sense of smell, and the adrenal glands. This chakra is associated with psychological and emotional functions: survival, vitality, reality, grounding, security, support, stability, sexuality, individuality, courage, impulsiveness, passions, and comfort.
There are many signs that relate to the root chakra being blocked. Some physical reactions to a blocked root chakra are anemia, fatigue, obesity, constipation, colds, bladder infections, sciatic, and numbness. If you also have issues with blood cell growth, body temperature control, and/or issues with the rectum these may be related to a blocked Muladhara.
UNBLOCKING MULADHARA
If you have any of the symptoms related to a blocked root chakra do not fret. There are many actions you can take to unblocking this energy site. Meditation, yoga, crystals, and essential oils can all be utilized to unblock this chakra.
- Meditation: To clear the Muladhara, you may conduct a visualization meditation. Using the Muladhara yantra, you can gaze at the yantra or picture it behind your eyes as you imagine the color red flowing freely throughout your body. Grounding down in your seat and connecting with mother earth through the point of contact between your physical body and the earth beneath you. Breathing into the image of the yantra, inviting in the color red, and surrendering to mother earth with aid in clearing your root chakra.
- Yoga: Asana can also clear the Muladhara. Warrior 1, triangle, and savasana are low impact, beginner poses that allow for cleansing of the root chakra. More advanced postures that aid in unblocking are eagle and sirsasana, headstand.
- Crystals: Crystals to heal and balance the root chakra are carnelian, sapphires, and emeralds. You may meditate with one of these crystals in your non-dominant hand while you visualize your Muladhara. Ask for this chakra to come into balance and freely accept the energy surrounding you.
- Essential Oils: Because this chakra is associated with the sense of smell, essential oils can be an extremely powerful aid in clearing a blocked Muladhara. It may be beneficial to add cedarwood, patchouli, or myrrh to a warm bath as you ground down in the present. You can also use any of these oils to massage the upper heck, where the neck and hairline meet, to fully absorb the oils into the spinal region. As you massage your neck, close the eyes and visualize red energy flowing up and down your spinal column as you invite in moving energy.
The Muladhara is just the start of the seven-chakra system. If you are looking to further explore this chakra system, keep an eye out for our chakra balancing virtual retreat. Remember, there are not only seven chakras present in the auric realm. Be open to recognizing where energy is present in your body and how chakras present themselves in your being.
