The 7 chakras are the primary energy centers of the body. These chakras distribute the five pranas throughout the body and maintain a harmonious balance that preserves and restores overall health. The first chakra in the group is the Muladhara Chakra, also known as the Root Chakra.

Understanding the first chakra in our energy body is key to balancing the energy system and achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This comprehensive guide will explore the Root Chakra in-depth, revealing what it is, where it is located, and how best to heal it using yoga, meditation, and affirmations.

WHAT IS THE ROOT (MULADHARA) CHAKRA?

The Root Chakra is the foundation of the physical structure of the body. The word Muladhara is composed of two Sanskrit words: "mula" meaning “root” and "adhara" which means “base” or “support”. The Muladhara Chakra is based on the earth element and radiates the color red. Balancing it creates a solid foundation for opening all the other six chakras, promoting stability, confidence, energy, and strength.

WHERE IS THE ROOT CHAKRA LOCATED? 

The Root Chakra is the first chakra in the energy body, located at the base of the spine at the perineum, between the anus and the genitals. Its location signifies its role as a link between the physical world and our internal energetic system. 

When this energy center is balanced, we feel grounded, stable, confident, and strong in the world. Conversely, a blocked or imbalanced Root Chakra can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, stress, and a loss of personal bearings. 

WHAT IS THE ROOT CHAKRA RESPONSIBLE FOR?

The first chakra is the center of Apana Prana. Apana is the vital force required for all the excretion functions. Apana prana is necessary for removing the toxins from the body and refreshing the earth element. If the earth element is not refreshed regularly, it rots in the body and causes a variety of physical and mental diseases.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROOT CHAKRA

• Element:

Root Chakra regulates the earth element in our bodies. It does so by distributing Apana Prana, which helps refresh the earth element we get from the food we eat. All food that grows on the earth contains the earth element, some more and some less.The energies of this this chakra help in recognizing our strong connection to the earth. Keeping us rooted to our inner self spreads positivity and happiness in life. It relates to our basic, primal needs of survival, stability, and support, and represents the structure of our body, bones, flesh, and skin. Therefore, proper regulation of the earth element is very important for good health.

• Color:

It is important to know that the chakras are made up of energy only, so they don’t have their own color. But each of the seven chakras reflects the colors of their elements and surroundings. The Muladhara Chakra is surrounded by the element earth so it reflects the color deep red. The Root Chakra color symbolizes primal instincts of strength and vitality. The red color is also linked to our physical and emotional needs of survival and self-preservation.

• Symbol:

The Root Chakra symbol is a four-petalled lotus flower consisting of a square, an inverted triangle, and the seed mantra LAM लं symbol in the center. The four petals of the lotus flower are believed to represent the four earthly elements, i.e earth, water, fire and air. Together, they unite to form the physical world or prakriti. The fifth element space is not included because it is not visible to the human physical eye. 

• Mantra:

Each chakra has various sounds which arise from its movements. The combined sound is called seed mantra. The seed mantra of Muladhara is Langm (लं). Chanting the Root Chakra Mantra in yoga and meditation can awaken and activate this vital energy center and bring balance to the chakra system. 

EMOTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH & THE ROOT CHAKRA

A balanced Root Chakra can provide emotional strength in the face of fear and anxiety. This results in feeling grounded and secure. However, an imbalance here can cause a variety of mental illnesses and stress which can also affect overall physical wellness. The Muladhara Chakra is associated primarily with survival. Other emotions linked to this energy center include:

Feeling safe

Feeling secure

Survival mindset

Feeling grounded

Self-preservation

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF A BLOCKED ROOT CHAKRA

• Emotional Symptoms :

Food, water, shelter, and survival are our primary needs. The main responsibility of this energy center is to satisfy these basic needs. Overeating, hoarding of material items, and greed for money are a few negative expressions for survival. These are all signs of an unbalance.

When our basic survival needs are not met, Muladhara becomes dysfunctional and causes a disconnection from our earthly values. As a result, people with a Root Chakra blockage or imbalance tend to experience a range of negative emotional symptoms, some of which include:

Hoarding of material items

Greed for money or materialism 

Lack of ambition and direction

Insecurity 

Disconnection and isolation

Anxiety 

Depression 

Self pity

• Physical Symptoms:

When the first energy center is blocked and imbalanced, it can cause mental stress which is visible through one’s physicality. The physical symptoms of a blocked Root Chakra are:

Lethargy 

Panic attacks or anxiety

Digestive disorders

Health problems in the colon, bladder, and lower back

Unexplained aches and pains in the body in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Reproductive issues

Insomnia or excessive sleeping

ROOT CHAKRA HEALING: HOW TO UNBLOCK & BALANCE

The Muladhara Chakra is believed to be a survival center, making it the most instinctual of all chakras. Stabilizing the foundation of the body is important to sense completeness. Identifying and working on your chakras regularly ensures proper Root Chakra healing. There are several ways to unblock your Root Chakra. Grounding chakra meditation and yoga poses are both effective ways to encourage physical and mental strength in the body. Repeating affirmations for the Root Chakra also helps set positive intentions that break old habits and forge better ones. Below, we provide three simple chakra balancing techniques you can practice daily to restore balance to this energy center. 

ROOT CHAKRA AFFIRMATIONS FOR STRENGTH AND STABILITY 

I feel safe and secure.

I have deep roots.

I am grounded.

I have found my peace.

I trust more, I am fearless.

I have self-love and I take care of my well-being.

I am open to all possibilities.

The earth provides a safe place for me.

I have abundance in my life.

I love my body and trust its wisdom.

I trust the universe to support me.

GROUNDING ROOT CHAKRA MEDITATION 

Practicing Muladhara meditation is an effective way to realign this chakra, promote energy in the body, and deepen your connection with the earth. During your meditation, you can also use the Root Chakra mudra Prithvi to awaken the earth element and restore balance to the energy system. 

ROOT CHAKRA YOGA POSES TO BOOST & BALANCE MULADHARA ENERGY

Practicing chakra yoga poses helps connect and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. This works to unify the circulating energy centers of the body. Specific yoga poses can release excess chakra energy, which is just as important as stimulating chakras to gain energy. The Root Chakra poses below restore balance by stimulating and releasing energy from the Muladhara, allowing for true transformation and personal growth.

• Corpse Pose (Shavasana):



• Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara):

• Child’s Pose (Shashankasana):