The Root Chakra – Muladhara

The Root Chakra is the first in the column of Chakras.  Our most basic instinct – for survival – lies within this chakra, as do our needs for food, sleep and shelter.  The Root Chakra is the base of powerful kundalini energy, which rises through all the Chakras to reach the crown, where it brings about the meditative state of Samadhi (Hindu and Buddhist term that denotes higher levels of concentrated meditation).

As part of the survival instinct, the Root Chakra is closely linked with security, emotional a well as physical.  When it is out of balance, you may suffer from low self-esteem, feel out of touch with your body and your sexuality, or be prone to depression and addictive behaviour, such as smoking.   When your Root Chakra is balanced, you feel confident and healthy, and happy with your body and your sexuality.

The Root Chakra grounds you in your body and gives you a feeling of safety.  It is strongly linked to the Crown Chakra and between them, they govern the body’s hormone system.  Without a balanced Root Chakra, the crown cannot function.

The Root Chakra reaches down the legs to the foot Chakras to draw up the earth’s energy.  When you sit on the ground to meditate, the Root Chakra – which lies between the genitals and anus on the perineum – is in direct contact with earth energy.

In an emergency situation, you need to gather all of your physical resources, and the Root Chakra enables you to do this.  The glands associated with this chakra are the adrenal glands, which produce the hormone adrenalin as part of the right-or-flight response.  Adrenalin gives you extra strength and stamina in a crisis.

It is strongly believed that your early years have a profound influence on the health of your Root Chakra.  It is thought that babies who are fed on demand and given plenty of love and security are much more likely to have healthy Root Chakras.  Whilst those deprived or love or left to cry when hungry tend to become needy and prone to developing a victim mentality.  A closed Root Chakra in adulthood may mean that you constantly worry about money or never feel satisfied with your work or home.  It can also lead to self-destruction or addictive behaviour – such as eating disorders, smoking, drug-taking, drinking too much alcohol, or gambling – or to illnesses such as lower back pain, haemorrhoids, constipation and sciatica.  Depression may result from a dislike of your own body.  On the other hand, a Root Chakra that is too open can lead to isolation; materialistic; selfish, bullying behaviour; or an addiction to loveless sexuality.

A balanced Root Chakra makes you feel physically secure, able to be part of a group without being domineering or needy, and confident to trust your instincts and follow your destiny.  A strong, firm massage can stabilize the Root Chakra.  You can also nourish it with a balanced diet and plenty of sleep.  Your Root Chakra thrives on physical challenge, so participating in sport is a good way to stimulate this chakra.  Specific smells can both stimulate and calm the Root Chakra.