Balancing the Root Chakra with Yoga and More

The Root Chakra

The Chakras are energy centers that help balance the human being on all levels.

If this is your first encounter with the chakras, it may sound a bit 'out there', but science has proven that we are made of energy. Energy can be stored, transformed, depleted, or excessive.

From the online dictionary, energy is defined as:

the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity

The quote below is from an interesting article:

As science goes deeper and deeper into matter it finds that matter is no more and only energy remains, only energy is.

Chakra means 'wheel' and the main 7 chakras are aligned along the spine from the very bottom tip below the tailbone all the way through the neck to the crown of the head.

These wheels of energy balance, receive, transform and store energy. They are also the communication pathway for the subtle energy body and the physical body.

When the energy is flowing freely all is well and good. But sometimes when the energy at one or more of these chakra centers gets stuck and becomes either underactive or overactive, we can start to feel unwanted effects.

Good news is there are several simple things we can do to become aware of and help balance each chakra.

Today we're talking about the Root Chakra or the Sanskrit term, Muladhara, which means 'base of support'.

The Root Chakra is located at the perineum - at the very base of the pelvic floor.

The color associated with this chakra is red and is symbolized by a lotus with 4 petals. The petals represent the 4 directions (North, South, East, West) and also the stability of the Earth element (which is the element associated with this chakra).

The Root Chakra is the closest main chakra to the earth. It correlates with our core survival needs, connects us to our material existence and creates awareness of our physical body.

When unbalanced you may be resistant to change, have feelings of fear and anxiety and feel disconnected to your body.

Here is a list of some simple things you can do to help balance the Root Chakra:

• Get out in Nature - Take a walk in nature at your favorite place...the woods, the beach, a park.
• Gardening - Plant a garden of flowers or herbs you love - pots work well too!
• Wear the Color Red - Either in clothing or jewelry or put a grounding crystal in your pocket like hematite, red jasper, bloodstone, or smokey quartz (one of my favorites!)
• Use Essential Oils (follow directions and guidelines for use) - Use grounding oils like vetiver or myrrh and you can find blends already made for the chakras like here at my friend's website.
• Create a Sacred Space - Create a small space in your home where you can put things that ground you and maybe even bring in the earth element like crystals and stones. It can be a corner of a room or a small section of a shelf.
• Deep Clean Your Home - I always find this grounding and love when the house is all clean.
• Meditation - Meditate out in nature or in the sacred space you created in your home.
• Journal - I find grabbing an awesome journal and favorite pen has a great grounding effect. You can also grab some art supplies and doodle or create some fun art.
• Yoga - Of course yoga! You can stand in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) like I am doing in the video above.

Here are some cues to guide you into Tadasana: 

• Ground down evenly between inner and outer edges of both feet
• Firm your leg muscles onto the bones
• Draw your low abs in and up and guide your tailbone - your root - down toward the earth
• Lengthen your spine
• Widen your collarbones and roll your shoulders open, facing the palms of the hands forward
• Lengthen the crown of your head toward the sky
• Breathe
• Feel the grounding effects of this pose. Feel stable and secure like a mountain. Feel your strength and connection to the earth.

There are many more ways to help balance the Root Chakra. Explore and discover what helps you become more grounded, centered and connected to the earth.

As your become more aware of and do the things that help you balance this chakra, you will feel more comfortable in your own body, feel grounded and stable, and know that you can fulfill your deepest needs.

You will also gain more insight as to what is right for you including types of exercise and what types of food feel right for your unique body.

Whether your basic needs in the past were met or not, begin to acknowledge that you can meet your own needs. Acknowledge you have the strength to make choices that are right for you and know that you deserve abundance in all forms.

As I connect to the earth and the root chakra, I step into life fully supported.

inhale - enjoy - exhale,

gina