Holistically support your root chakra to feel safe, secure and grounded.
Get to know your root chakra
This month we are focussing on the first of the chakras, the root chakra, or Muladhara in Sanskrit which is located right at the base of the spine.
This chakra houses energy focused on our sense of security and belonging. It is the first chakra developed, in utero up to 12 months and as such is associated with our core needs. Just like a tiny baby, it is focussed on our need for our basic needs to be met.
If our root chakra is balanced, we can expect to feel safe, secure and grounded with a good relationship to money and financial security. We TRUST that we are safe and supported.
When the chakra is out of balance, maybe through something that happened at the age that chakra was developing (such as an insecure attachment to a primary caregiver), or a trauma relating to the areas governed by the chakra then we may start to see the energetic imbalances manifesting in our emotions, behaviour and even physical bodies.
An imbalance in the root chakra might look like some of these, if you can relate to them they may be clues that your root chakra could need some TLC.
Physical
Problems with hips, legs, knees, calves, ankles, and feet (physically, everything below the root chakra is associated with it).
Emotional
Feeling fearful & anxious, Money mindset issues.
Addictions
Food, Shopping and gambling, tending to over-compensate for any security that was lacking.
How can you support the root chakra?
The concept of chakras can feel a little abstract when dealing with the unseen, subtle body but there are very easy, practical ways we can work with our physical body and mind to aid our more subtle energy body. Once you know the tools it becomes easy to start to consider our chakras in our self care.
Yoga
With the root chakra associated with the element of earth and feeling grounded and secure, it also governs the legs and feet, the poses that work with this first chakra really compliment that. Seated poses that bring the root chakra close to the earth, or standing / balancing poses like the warrior poses or tree that really root you down through the feet and activate through the legs will support the chakra.
Healing crystals
Dense, grounding stones to aid our sense of security such as Hematite, Black Obsidian or Red Jasper. Place by the root chakra during meditation, or keep them close by for protection and security.
Aromatherapy
Woody, earthy scents, linking to the earth element and grounding such as cedarwood, sandalwood and patchouli. Dilute down with a carrier oil and apply to the soles of your feet or pop a few drops in a diffuser.
Affirmation for the root chakra
Help foster positive beliefs by affirming the qualities of a balanced root chakra. My favourite affirmation for the root chakra is “I am safe, secure and supported”.
Notice how this statement makes you feel and don’t be afraid to get curious about anything that comes up for you, journaling is a great way of exploring this.