For the second blog in my chakra series, today we’re focusing on the root chakra. The root chakra holds many opportunities for us to rebalance the body, as its location suggests it often needs to be worked on first before other chakras.
What is the root chakra?
‘Muladhara’ (meaning root in Sanskrit), our root chakra sits at the base of our spine. As the name suggests it is our grounding chakra, the chakra that connects us to the earth and is the first of the seven primary chakras. The root chakra is represented by a deep, vibrant earthy red colour.
Characteristics of the root chakra include:
Support
Grounding
Setting and implementing boundaries
Safety
Security
Survival
Instinct
Physically the root chakra is linked to our pelvis, intestines, feet and legs.
Signs of a balanced root chakra
When our root chakra is in balance, we should feel safe, secure, trusting and content.
Signs of an imbalanced root chakra
There are many signs of an imbalanced root chakra. Some of the most prominent indicators include:
Fear, anxiety and worry (underactive)
Feeling insecure and unstable (underactive)
Risk aversion (underactive)
Greed (overactive)
Paranoia (overactive)
Procrastination (overactive)
Defensiveness (overactive)
Resurfacing trauma/childhood memories
Money worries/fears
Trust issues
It’s important to note that root chakra imbalance can be present with imbalances of other chakras, so symptoms may be more extensive. We work from the ground up when working with the chakras, so the root chakra is always to be addressed first.
How can I rebalance the root chakra?
Rebalancing the root chakra involves getting to grips with some grounding techniques and reconnecting with the earth and nature around us. Some easy ways to keep the root chakra in balance or address imbalance include:
Go for a walk out in nature – Choose somewhere wild and rugged like a forest or the beach – anywhere that makes you feel alive and surrounded by natural beauty. Focus on the connection between your feet and the earth as you walk, soaking up that sacred bond between you and the soil beneath you.
Movement – Moving the body in certain ways can help to address any imbalance within each chakra. For the root chakra, it’s all about the pelvis and hips – opening up this area through a dedicated yoga practice can be helpful, as this is a place where we store a lot of emotional pain. Dancing can also help - there are even chakra dances you can find online and in-person to balance specific chakras.
Meditation – Meditation is beneficial for body and mind in so many ways – and can help to heal all the chakras when imbalances and issues are present. You might even like to find a guided root chakra meditation online and visualise a bright red light around you as you meditate on healing any imbalance in this area.
Reiki (energy healing) – Reiki naturally identify’s chakra disruption within the body and usually the practitioner will find they are drawn to the areas that need the most support. Both reiki and crystal healing can help address chakra imbalance and promote a feeling of calm and relaxation.
Aromatherapy – Certain grounding essential oils are linked to our root chakra, including patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh and ylang ylang. You might like to make your own oil blend to dab on throughout the day when you need a little extra support – or treat yourself to a relaxing aromatherapy massage specifically with balancing the root chakra in mind.
Nutrition – eating certain foods such as beetroot, sweet potato, carrots, chilli and apples can support a healthy root chakra. Choose organic and locally sourced where possible for maximum benefits.
If you’re not sure whether your chakras are in or out of balance, or would like to find more about the chakra system and any of the holistic therapies mentioned in this blog, please get in touch.
You may also wish to download my free guide The Chakra Healing Guide here