The Base or Root Chakra

The 7 major chakras are energy centres located from the bottom of the spine to the crown of the head, forming a vertical line. They each have their own characteristics and meanings. In this post we will be looking at the first of these energy centres – known as the base or root chakra – it’s importance as the foundation of a healthy chakra system, what it represents, and how to go about unblocking or balancing it.

What is the Root Chakra?

The first chakra is called “Muladhara.” Mula translates from Sanskrit as origin or root and adhara means foundation or base. This chakra is located at the base of the spine and covers the pelvic area upto the first 3 vertebrae. It is visually represented by a 4-petal lotus flower.

In order for us to achieve optimum health, we must first ensure that the root chakra is healthy as it forms the foundation upon which our other chakras operate. All the chakras are inter-connected and without free-flowing energy at the root, it’s not possible to achieve complete balance in any of the other major energy centres.

The main colour of the root chakra is red and it is linked to our sense of smell. Earth is the element of this chakra and it relates to us being grounded, our sense of security and the most basic level of trust. The root is primal and is heavily linked in simple terms to our sense of survival and our most basic needs, namely food, water, shelter and safety.

As well as trauma we may suffer in our everyday lives, the pain of past events – including from previous incarnations or even ancestral experiences – is stored in the root chakra. In addition, it is linked to the first stage of life, i.e. from the womb until we reach 2 years old. So if you didn’t experience security and safety in your first couple of years, your root chakra may well need to be opened and re-balanced so you can function as a trusting, loving adult who is able to let go of the simplest of fears.

But most of us won’t know about past life or ancestral trauma and don’t remember as far back as our first 2 years, so how do you know if you need to heal your root chakra? As well as digging around in the past, asking your family and having an idea of what was going on in your earliest days, there are other factors that are a good indication of how healthy your root chakra is…

Understanding the Root Chakra

If you are generally a pretty grounded person who is capable of thinking clearly, setting and achieving goals, is not easily distracted and can prioritise and manage time – especially when there is an important task at hand – the chances are that you have a healthy, balanced root chakra. Other indicators are the ability to love and be loved, and to positively experience passion.

Some of the signs of an unbalanced root chakra include anxiety and relationship issues due to fear and the inability to trust. They may also include eating disorders, depression and a feeling of exclusion or not belonging.

The root chakra is related to specific areas of our physical body including the adrenal glands, kidneys, the bones and muscles, blood and the large intestine. Health issues due to a blocked root chakra can include elimination problems i.e. from the colon, bladder or prostate. Also lower back problems and trouble with the legs and / or feet.

How to Heal the Root Chakra

There are many ways to heal your root chakra. On an every-day level, to assist balancing, eat foods such as root vegetables and plenty of protein. Include a good mixture of red foods (e.g. tomatoes, red peppers, beetroot) and flavour your meals with chives, paprika and pepper.

Wearing red is also recommended – whether it’s clothes, make-up or jewellery. There are certain crystals that work particularly well with the root chakra. These include ruby, red carnelian, red garnet and red or rubellite tourmaline. Black tourmaline is also good for root chakra healing, as is tiger eye, which is usually more of an amber-brown colour. Either wear the crystals or place them on the chakra whilst laying down / meditating / receiving a reiki treatment.

In order to become grounded, get back down to earth by walking barefoot, taking in nature, doing some work in the garden etc. Meditation, contemplation or day to day living can be enhanced by using affirmations such as :

• I am safe and secure
• My basic needs are always met
• I am grounded and connected to all that is.

The word LAM has unique vibrations that specifically resonate with and re-tune the root chakra. If chanting’s not your thing, listen to some root or base meditations that include the LAM mantra.

Combined with the above or as a stand-alone treatment, aromatherapy can also be used. Recommended essential oils for the root chakra include frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, rosemary and rosewood. (See Safe Healing With Essential Oils.) Diffuse the oils for inhalation or mix with a carrier oil for a foot, leg and lower back massage.

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After Root Chakra Healing…

When you have opened and healed your root chakra, you may notice you have more energy and are able to focus and have better concentration. Instead of being in a state of restlessness and anxiety you are able to take a few deep breaths, resist the sense of panic, gather your thoughts without negativity and are more able to gain perspective.

Without anxiety and panic, you will feel less threatened by certain incidents, people or life in general. Your self-esteem will improve. But not everything will happen at once. Keep a journal before and after and you will no doubt begin to see subtle but regular changes for the better. Depending on how deep-rooted the problems are or were will determine how often you will need to carry out chakra healing and for how long.

When you have carried out healing, reiki is an excellent way of maintaining a good flow of energy for all the chakras. Reiki is available to anyone regardless of religious beliefs and can be carried out on the self once you have been initiated at the first level. See An Introduction to Usui Reiki to find out more.

Conclusion

So now you have a good understanding of how the root chakra can be affected by past and present traumas, the importance of root chakra health as the foundation of the chakra system, how to tell if your root chakra is healthy and perhaps most importantly, what steps you can take to unblock and balance it.

Are you ready to find out about the second chakra? Check out the next article in this series – The Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana.

Do you have any questions or comments on this post? Have you experienced chakra healing or are you an energy healer yourself? There’s a comment box below – please send me you thoughts or feedback there. Alternatively you can email me at jane@therapyjet.net. I would love to hear from you.