The first chakra is also known as the root chakra or Muladhara. It is the energy center in charge of all our basic survival needs. Muladhara governs the bladder and the kidneys as well as the hips and legs and the lower spine. It is the energy center that supports our feelings of safety and security, our survival abilities, helps us figure out our basic needs such as food and sleep, gives us a sense of grounding and control, and provides support and foundation for us. It’s prominence as our grounding chakra makes sense when considering its location. The first chakra is found at the base of the spine and it is up through this energy center that all the other chakras receive their energy. The color associated with the 1st chakra is a deep ruby red.
Muladhara – The Root Chakra
When the root chakra is out of balance, you may feel very insecure – as though your very life is constantly under threat. You’ll find yourself living in ‘survival mode’, unable to relax and enjoy life. Your behaviors stop being rational, or even emotional, and start being instinctive, fear based reactions. You may also suffer from eating disorders, nightmares, problems with your excretory systems, difficult with the lower back, legs and feet such as restless leg syndrome, and men may find they are suffering from prostate problems.
Using the chakra for healing
Healing the first chakra or root chakra helps to bring your whole body back into balance. Imbalances with this chakra will, without a doubt, deeply affect the other energy centers in your body. One of the best ways to keep Muladhara open and balanced is through walking! Take time every day to go out for a walk and relax. Don’t like to walk? Another excellent way to balance and open is through dancing. Focus your physical activities on things that help to move the hips and legs, clearing stale, negative energy out of the body and healing the root chakra. Meditation will help to ground you and rebalance the chakra, and consider meditation with an aromatherapy blend of ylang-ylang, rosemary, patchouli, sandalwood, and myrrh. Each of these scents helps to reconnect you with the earth and ground yourself. If you prefer to meditate with crystals, consider garnet, red jasper, black tourmaline, and bloodstone. If you like to meditate using a mantra, the mantra LAM will be most beneficial in balancing Muladhara,
Balancing the root
Help keep the chakra opened and balanced by including red clothing and accessories. Additionally, you can work on providing extra support by eating vegetables that are red and vegetables that are predominantly found in the ground such as parsnips and beets! Regularly practice of yoga will also help to keep the root chakra balanced. Look into poses such as tree, eagle, mountain, downward-facing dog, and wide-legged forward bend. Each of these help to firmly ground the body and open the 1st chakra so that energy can flow through it evenly. Regularly practice visualization and spend time outdoors in clean, open environments so that you can reconnect to the natural world around you.
