Chakras are energy centers in the body that can affect us physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are seven major chakras in the body, and the primary chakra is the root, or muladhara chakra, which is the foundation for all other chakra energies.
The Muladhara Foundation
The root chakra is sometimes called the first chakra, because it is the base for all other chakras. It sits at the bottom of the spine, between the perineum and the anus, supporting the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, forehead/third eye and crown chakras.
The muladhara chakra helps people connect to the Earth, and no other chakra is used to draw as much Earth energy as the root chakra. The central themes of the root chakra are trust, security and survival. Root chakra development begins in the ninth month of pregnancy, and continues through the first year of life, connecting the muladhara with the will to live, the root of all life.
Many symbols and ideas associated with the first chakra are connected to the idea of strength and life. The word muladhara translates into "support" and "root," while the chakra's symbol is a square, an image of durability.
The color associated with the root chakra is red, which relates to blood, passion and energy, essential components for a zealous life. An article in the November-December 2008 issue of Spirituality & Health Magazine gathers studies that show red increases chances for athletic success, or in the case of primates, it increases chances of mating.
Chakras are said to be "blocked" when energy is not flowing through them. Since the first chakra takes in the most energy, when this chakra is not functioning properly, it can cause problems with the other energy levels.
The Physicality of the Root Chakra
Another aspect of the base chakra as a foundation is its location on the body and the correspondence to the physical body. The root chakra can affect the spinal cord and the skeleton, tangible structures without which the body would have no form. The first chakra also regulates digestion, blood flow, and the legs and feet, physical representations of our connection to the Earth.
People who have imbalances in their root chakra can experience physical ramifications: digestive problems, back pain, osteoporosis, leg and foot pain or blood disorders. There are several methods of therapy to help balance the base chakra, including aromatherapy, stone therapy, meditation and vocalization.
Stimulating the Rood Chakra - Tree Exercise
Take a walk, choose a tree and ask permission to mediate beneath the tree. Sit so that your bottom is touching the ground. You may wish to hold a gemstone, such as a garnet or ruby, or a red scarf or cloth, in your right hand to help with the meditation.
Begin by turning into your breathing. Feel your prana breath, or life energy, start in the earth, and rise from the root chakra all the way up through the crown chakra at the top of the head and back down through the base chakra.
Feel the color red and its place in your root chakra as you breathe. Allow the red energy from your base chakra to connect to the Earth, and feel the color deepening and the energy widening.
When you are ready, place your hands, palm-down on the Earth, and release your breath back down the spine. Thank nature for allowing you to mediate and carry your red symbol with you throughout the day.
Sources:
- Govinda, Kalashatra. A Handbook of Chakra Healing. CT: Konecky & Konecky, 2002.
- White, Ruth. Working with Your Chakras. NY: Barnes & Noble Books, Inc., 2002.
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