Introduction to the Chakras – Root Chakra

This week I am going to be talking about the Chakras. For quite a while now I have wanted to find out more about the Chakras but I haven’t really found the information I have needed. But more recently through attending online courses with Laura Green, practicing yoga focusing on the Chakras and researching them more, I am starting to gain a bit of understanding.

Chakras are energy centres in your body. In the most popular, modern, Westernised system that most people are presently referring to has 7 chakras. The Chakras are energy centres along the spine which are thought of as wheels or spinning vortexes of energy. The energy movement can be blocked or imbalanced from the stresses of day to day life and illness. We can restore the balance by working with the chakras through yoga and meditation.

As the chakras run from the base of your spine up to the top of your head, it is important to balance out your base chakra first. Many of you will have heard me say in yoga classes ‘root down to rise up.’ Your stability relies on a firm rooted base. As a Neals Yard rep for years, I always visualise their branding with the root system spreading out as big as the tree above. Just showing how important the root system is in the growing of a healthy tree.

The Root Chakra, known in Sanskrit as Muladhara is located at the perineum. It relates to the legs, feet and base of the spine. If this is unbalanced you can feel unstable in your own life, feeling a lack in faith and trust in yourself, anxious and unsafe. Your body is needing you to become grounded and connect with the present moment.

The Root Chakra relates to the earth element and is signified by the colour red. You may wish to help yourself connect with this chakra by trying some of the ideas below:

*repeating ‘I am safe, I am grounded, I am supported by mother earth.’

*you may resonate more with chanting, ‘Lam’.

*working with red crystals such as Red Jasper or Hematite.

*using the essential oil ylang ylang.

*placing the backs of your hands on your knees in a cross legged position and allowing your thumb and index finger to touch gently as it you are holding a rose petal between the fingers.

What ever helps you to focus the attention on the base Chakra to support yourself in the start of your journey working on the Chakras. Once we are able to work face to face again I am aiming to run classes working through the Chakras. Make sure you sign up to my newsletter to get the latest details on upcoming classes and retreats.