Balancing the Root (Muladhara) Chakra

As spiritual seekers, it is common to get caught up in developing your higher chakras for intuition and connection to Source, but it is equally as important to be grounded in your sense of safety and security and into your body.

Do you feel safe, supported and loved?

How are you relating to your tribe (family and friends)?

Do you feel loved?

Do you have a strong emotional base?

Do you feel like your basic needs are being met?

How much do you feel like you are willing to change and grow?

Your answers to these questions can give you a hint into if your root chakra is balanced or not. 

Balancing this first chakra helps you be able to come into balance with the other chakras. Like the roots of a tree, having this chakra balanced gives you a solid foundation in life from which to work with.

Before we delve into how to balance your root chakra, let's first give it meaning. 

What is the Root Chakra?

The root chakra is an energy center located at the base of the spine. When you visualize it, imagine it as a bright red ball of swirling light. If you want to take it a step further, you can imagine it as a lotus with four petals. 

In Sanskrit, the root chakra is called Muladhara, which translates to "root base". 

It is associated with your sense of safety and stability in life, with your basic needs (food, water, shelter) as we more emotional needs such as releasing fears.

How do I know if my Root Chakra is imbalanced?

As mentioned above, your sense of security is directly connected to your root chakra. However, keep in mind that it's not necessarily related to how much you actually have, but more so to what you experienced as a child. It's possible that you feel like you should feel safe and secure with all that you possess right now, but it's hard to let go because of how you grew up.

Anxiety, low self-esteem, nightmares, and indecisiveness often shows up when the root chakra is imbalanced because your sense of stability is skewed.

Body issues also show up when the root chakra is imbalanced through eating disorders and hypochondria.

How to balance the Root Chakra

If you're nodding your head, "yes" to all of this, and are noticing that your root chakra could use some balancing, this section is for you.

There are many ways to balance your root chakra. Browse through the list below and choose what resonates with you.

• Use the affirmations: I am safe. I am secure. I am grounded.
• Sound your voice to the tone of LAM. This vibration helps align your cells to ground into your root chakra.
• Create a daily meditation practice to calm your mind and ground into your body.
• Connect to the earth. Spend time in nature. Plant a garden. 
• Practice grounding yoga asanas such as warrior 1, triangle, wide-legged squat, and forward folds.
• Get out your crystals. Use them in meditation, wear them in your jewelry, put them in your pocket, create an altar for the root chakra. Choose stones that are black or red such as, red jasper, black tourmaline, bloodstone, garnet, and carnelian. 
• Incorporate essential oils for the root chakra, including patchouli, cedarwood, black pepper, sandalwood, and frankincense. 
• Eat food that is naturally red in color.

Now that you've read all about balancing your chakras, take a few moments to make a commitment to yourself to incorporate the practices that you are drawn to.