The Chakra System: Root: Muladhara
“Don’t be troubled because of the mountain tops you have yet to touch. Like a tree, you will grow, not from the sky, but from the ground up.” – Morgan Harper Nichols
Yesterday, I was observing my garden.
Or realistically, the weed covered mound of dirt that some day, weeks from now will resemble something sort of like a garden.
I knelt down and pulled at a small weed.
It easily released its roots from the soil, collapsing at my grasp. It seemed to whither right there in my hand as I held it.
I threw it away and I grabbed another slightly larger weed.
This one was different. It was a fighter.
It hung on with a mighty force and using all of my strength, it finally relented as I tumbled backward into the grass… weed in hand!
I was victorious!
I looked down in order to get a closer look at my foe, only to realize that the root had snapped…half of the plant was still buried deep in the soil!
I realized that this little plant had something to teach me.
I closed my eyes, right there laying in the grass, and I listened to its lesson.
If we have a strong foundation in our root, it doesn’t matter what happens on the surface.
We will always be able to come back, to grow from that foundation.
To return to our true self.
But, if our root is weak, like the first weed that I pulled, damage on the surface will destroy our integrity and our entire being will wither.
Just like those two plants, we as humans also have roots.
The root chakra is located at the very southernmost tip of our spine: the coccyx.
It hovers between the coccyx and the pelvic floor and is associated with the color Red which represents the movement and awakening energy of Kundalini.
It is our primal energy center and is responsible for everything related to safety, security, survival and our basic physical need.
It is the energy that drives self-preservation.
It is your human nature at the very core of your being.
It is the first chakra to awaken in your human body and it does so slowly, blossoming in the womb and throughout the first six months of life.
How does a chakra awaken?
In the Hindu culture, chakras have always been associated with the lotus flower.
And like a lotus, our chakras must grow and blossom into fully functional structures.
During the awakening process, our chakras begin as tiny seeds of energy and they grow within our bodies.
They branch out and connect with our meridians and nadis.
By using these energetic pathways, they travel throughout our entire body and intelligently connect to every physical aspect that the chakra is associated with.
Just like our brain sends electromagnetic signals through our nerves, our chakras send energetic signals to specific parts of our body, communicating with the exchange of information.
So, where are the parts of our body that the root chakra influences?
The root is merged with the sacral-coccygeal nerve plexus.
It runs through the sacrum and at the coccyx, it splits into two traveling down each leg and into the foot.
Its range covers the entire lower body from the hip joints to the toes.
Internally, the root is linked to the large intestine and the function of the immune system.
But most importantly, it governs the adrenals.
Understanding the adrenal glands is equivalent to glimpsing the root chakra’s true vital nature.
The adrenals are small endocrine glands that sit on top of each kidney.
Their primary role is to produce hormones in an effort to regulate our response to long term and immediate stress.
Just like our root chakra deals with all primal energy, stress is a primal reaction. It’s our fight or flight response.
Having stable hormone production from the adrenals is vital to living a physically balanced life.
Energetic imbalances always manifest in either physical or psychological ways.
So, if the adrenals are under or over active that is an indicator that your root chakra is not functioning the way that it should.
But adrenal dysfunction is not the only indicator of an imbalanced root chakra.
Below are some common physical signs that you have a blockage or disruption in your root:
Eating Disorders
Obesity
Chronic Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue
Hyperactive Adrenal
Problems with Lumbar and Coccyx Vertebrae
Disorders of the Bowel/Large Intestine
Problems with the Leg/Knee/Foot
Varicose Veins
Problems with the Skin
Addictions such as Alcoholism/Drug Abuse
Psychologically, the root is associated with safety and security, and the primary belief governing this chakra is that you are worthy of existing.
You may see an imbalance to the root manifesting in the following psychological ways:
With a blocked and deficient root:
Spaciness
Disconnection
Fear
Anxiety
Sadness
Shame
Guilt
Longing
Despair
Terror
Abandonment
Rejection
Lack of Focus
Lack of Follow Through
Self-Destructiveness
Masochistic Tendency
Suicidal Tendency
Passivity
Poor Boundaries
With an over-active and excessive root:
Anger
Rage
Disgust
Resentment
Futility
Greed
Hoarding
Overeating
Excessive Materiality
Hypochondria
Paranoia
Excessive Spending
Laziness
Fatigue
Fear of Change
Obsession with Security
Rigid Boundaries
I’m sure that as you read through that list, you’ve identified with one or more of the physical or psychological states.
Possibly even identifying with one or two now, at this time in your life.
Thankfully, there are ways to balance and heal the chakra system to help bring your energy back to a neutral and healthy space.
Here are some tools that you can use in your daily life to help bring balance back to your root.
Ground into Earth energy: Take a walk in nature, go camping, or even just step outside and breathe in the fresh spring air.
Earthing: This is the practice of connecting to the Earth’s energy through bare hands and feet. Walk around in the grass barefoot. Dig your fingers and toes into the dirt. If you pay close attention, you’ll be able to feel her powerful energy entering your body through your hands and feet.
Aromatherpay: Essential oils beneficial for the root include: Vetiver, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Ginger, Rosewood, Cloves and Black Pepper.
Color Therapy: The color of the root is Red, so bringing more of that color into your daily life is an easy way to nourish this chakra. Wear read clothes or put some red roses in your home.
Sound Therapy: The frequency of the root is 256Hz and Keynote C. Find music that plays mainly at this frequency and close to this keynote. Sound therapy is the quickest way to balance a chakra!
Reflexology: Massage these areas to stimulate energy flow to the root: A finger’s width below the base of the wrist; also, around the inner and outer edge of the heel of the foot.
Nutrition for the Root Chakra: Eat red foods such as apples, raspberries, tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, pomegranates, red peppers, radishes, beets and watermelon.
Affirmations: Create a positive affirmation for this chakra. I personally have had a lot of success with this. Something similar to: I am grounded. I am safe. I am secure. I am at peace. Write an affirmation that feels right to you and state it several times throughout your day.
See an Energy Healer: Another option is to find a local energy healer that is versed in the process of clearing and healing energy blockages and dysfunction in others. This is what I specialize in!
When the root chakra is in balance we easily manifest the things that we need in life; including financial security, a desirable career, optimal health and love.
You’ll feel strong, balanced and grounded.
You’ll feel confident in pursuing your passions in an effort to better the world around you.
And, your sense of success will drive you to give back to others in a way that helps make them successful also.
The fruits of physical ease, security and prosperity will be yours.
All the while you’ll be grounded in reality and will have a strong sense of character and stamina.
Fear will leave you and will be replaced with an adventurous spirit.
Drive and motivation will feel easy and smooth. During challenges you’ll be able to keep a calm and clear mind.
The root chakra is our foundation and its health is key in the health of all other chakras.
Care for it just as you would any other part of your body or mind.
Next week, we will look into our second chakra, the Sacral.
Love and Light