Chakras are energy centres in the human body, as prescribed by yogic and spiritual traditions. They are believed to be the circles of energy in our body through which life flows. They can also be seen as the focal points of energy and they impact our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. The traditional knowledge asserts that there are seven Chakras that are located in alignment with our spine. These include Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra.
Of the seven, the Root Chakra or Muladhara, located at the base of the spine, is believed to be the most important one as it provides the bodily energy for us to accomplish anything physical. It is the starting point for all things energy in our body and it is also the source of activation and function for the remaining chakras. This chakra gives us a sense of security, stability and safety within our body. The ancient Indian texts, the Vedas, where the Chakras were first mentioned, believe that if the Root Chakra is out of balance, it can cause disruption in the flow of bodily energy and can impact our daily movements.
How to Balance Root Chakra
A balanced Root Chakra, characterised by the red colour, is linked to providing a sense of focus and presence, a feeling of security and stability, creating a healthy survival instinct, promoting reliability, dependability, and responsibility and creating a feeling of belonging. That apart, a balanced Root Chakra also makes you feel more connected to your inner self and develops the drive to live a more energetic and inspiring life. With a single Chakra impacting so many things in your life, it going out of balance can have a drastic impact.
If a Root Chakra is imbalanced, you may feel insecure, scared, uncertain, anxious or may even get a sense of not belonging to your own body. However, the effect of such an imbalance may go beyond those feelings.
The physical impact:
- It may cause sleeping difficulty
- Constipation
- Imbalance in weight gain or loss
- Compromised immunity
- Weakness and fatigue
- Pain in lower back, feet, knees, etc.
The emotional impact:
- Unreasonable behavior
- Feeling unmotivated or depressed
- Lacking the drive to live enthusiastically
- Negativity and cynicism
The spiritual impact:
- Lose a sense of purpose for life
- Existential crisis
- Loss of willpower
If you are feeling any of these things, it is time to balance or heal your Root Chakra.
How to Heal Your Root Chakra
Keeping your Root Chakra is important and there are certain ways that can help you do that.
Using Movement to Heal the Root Chakra:
By using certain exercises or physical activity, you can bring the balance back. Simple actions like walking, gardening, Pilates, yoga, hiking, running, dancing, etc are effective ways. Even Shaktidas, a popular yoga, meditation and dance teacher, prescribes that simple ways can be far more effective.
Yoga to balance your Root Chakra:
Author Cristi Christensen has prescribed a flow of yoga asanas that can help you heal your Root Chakra. These include Malasana, Uttanasana, Squats, Utkatasana, Warrior 1 and 2, Vrksasana and Bridge Lifts. Apart from squats and bridge lifts, concentrate on the physical sensations through breathing.
Connect with your feet:
Another effective way to balance your root chakra is through your feet. Christensen suggests using a tennis or yoga tune-up ball by putting it on the ground and placing one foot on it. Then, move it around in circles while applying a little pressure. Move your ankle in a similar motion. Continue doing so for a bit and then change feet.
Sound to heal your root chakra:
Sounds like music, gong sounds, mantras, etc., have a positive impact on your mental health. Several studies have written down the role music and positive sounds play in uplifting your mood. Shaktidas suggests that sounds can heal your root chakra. He suggests that every chakra has its own unique sound and that ‘lam’ is the sound for Root Chakra. When this is chanted multiple times, it can help activate, awaken, and heal the chakra.
Root Chakra balancing through meditation:
There is no doubt that meditation has a profound impact on our minds. The same is true for activating the Root Chakra. You can use different meditation techniques to heal the chakra:
- By concentrating on the red color of the chakra through simple meditation
- Chanting ‘lam’ several times while taking long breaths
- Connecting with Earth by walking barefoot
Rituals for Root Chakra healing:
Rituals like mudras, working with red or wearing red and working with crystals, have their own meaning and significance. Mudras, believes Christensen, are the ‘yoga of hands,’ and they can help you connect with your chakras. Since red is the color of the Root Chakra, simply wearing it can make a positive impact. Christensen also believes that crystals, since they come from Earth, have the power to awaken the chakra. Crystals like black tourmaline, garnet, hematite, red jasper and ruby are some options.
How to balance Root Chakra with affirmations:
We all know positive words can make a huge difference in the way we feel. These are simply called affirmations that can also help in chakra balance. Some affirmations that you can use include:
- I am safe.
- I am secure.
- I am at home in my body.
- I am at peace with the here and now.
- The Earth supports and nourishes me.
How to heal your Root Chakra with breathwork:
Breathing is one of the most significant components of yoga and can help you heal your imbalanced Root Chakra. You can include diaphragmatic breathing, nadi shodhana, and anulom vilom to help you get the desired results.
How to unblock Root Chakra using touch:
There are definite healing properties in human touch. It can relax the mind and body when done right. Self-massage or a massage by a professional can help you heal your Root Chakra. This is also referred to as Abhyanga in yoga.
The age-old human traditions that thrived on practical knowledge have hailed Root Chakra as a foundation of the entire Chakra system. It is here that the energy flow begins, making it an important starting point. Balancing the Root Chakra comes with multiple benefits and if you simply follow the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to feel the difference and balanced Root Chakra brings to your life.
