Root Chakra
Root chakra, is our first chakra. This chakra is also known as Mooladhara. Mooladhara is the Sanskrit word for root, hence the name root chakra.
A chakra is a type of energy center in your body. We have 7 main chakras in our body: root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra and the crown chakra.
The root chakra is located at the bottom of the spine and represents security and stability. The “I am” is central here. Know more about Root Chakra with best 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh.
In this blog, I would like to explain more about the root chakra. You will find out:
- What the root chakra is
- Where the root chakra is located
- What color and symbol belong to the root chakra?
- How to tell if the root chakra is balanced or out of balance
- How to balance the root chakra
- Which yoga postures belong to the root chakra
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Questions and answers
1. Where is the first chakra located?
Our root chakra is located in our pelvic floor.
2. What color is the root chakra?
The color of the root chakra is red.
3. How do you balance the first chakra?
By grounding yourself and, for example, eating foods that come from the ground or those that have a red color.
Location of the first chakra
The root chakra is located between the anus and the genitals. It is located at the tailbone, the base of the spine. So this chakra is literally at our roots.
Our life energy originates from the pelvic floor and moves up through the spine. This chakra is also directed downward, toward the earth.
What is the root chakra?
The name really says it all: this chakra represents our roots, our grounding. This chakra is the foundation and establishes the connection between us humans and the earth.
So when we talk about wanting more grounding in our lives, we are talking about our root chakra. In fact, we then want to open this chakra a little more and let it become more active.
In yoga, we talk about purusha and prakriti. Purusha is consciousness and energy. Prakriti represents matter. In yoga philosophy, it is described how the world was created from Purusha and Prakriti and these two together create all life.
Our root chakra is the most densely occupied chakra. This chakra has the “most” prakriti in it and therefore it has a lot to do with our body and the earth.
In our physical body, this chakra has to do with our bones, muscles, nails and hair, among other things. This chakra also affects our organs in the lower abdomen, such as the colon, rectum and also our pelvic area.
Development of the Root Chakra
This chakra develops mainly in the first 6 – 7 years of our lives. As children we are totally dependent on our parents. We need food, care, hygiene and love. This gives us a sense of security.
When this chakra is well developed and active, we have a sense of security. We feel secure in our bodies and in the environment we are in.
It also provides a sense of financial security. We have enough money/resources to take care of ourselves, we lack for nothing.
A well active root chakra also creates trust. Confidence in ourselves, in people and in the world around us. The chakra also lets you take up your space. I am important, I am allowed to be there.
Read More: Power Yoga, what is it exactly?
Color of the first chakra
The color of the first chakra is red. You can trace the red color back to the physical body, such as the muscles. It can also be traced back to the earth. Often the energy of Mother Earth is associated with the color red.
The color red also represents passion, aggression, energy, activity, warmth and love.
Chakra Symbol Mooladhara
The symbol of Mooladhara is a lotus flower with four leaves. These represent the mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), consciousness (chitta) and ego (ahamkara). All four come from this chakra.
The triangle associated with this chakra has two meanings.
One is that the cosmic energy is brought in and directed down. The other is that it is an upward movement of consciousness. The point that points downward is the starting point of the evolution of consciousness.
A root chakra in balance
Someone with this chakra well balanced feels content, is stable and believes in their inner strength. You feel lightly grounded and have confidence in yourself and your surroundings.
You are also conscious of your body and what your body needs. This can be healthy nutrition, but also exercise. You feel connected to the earth and are practical.
A root chakra out of balance
When your root chakra is out of balance, you may feel anxious, restless and insecure. You don’t have confidence in yourself and your body. Also, things feel messy inside, and so does the environment you live in.
You lack contact with the earth, so for some it even feels like you are floating above the ground.
It is difficult to set boundaries and you are looking for a lot of security. This can be in financial terms, but also in relationships. You feel insecure and have little self-discipline.
Your first chakra can also give off too much energy. This can lead to obesity and greed.
Balancing the first chakra
There are several ways to balance the first chakra. Each person is unique, and so different exercises may work for each person. It is important to establish a good contact with the earth.
For a root chakra that is out of balance, eating red foods can help. In this way you stimulate the first chakra. This includes red cabbage, beet, pomegranate, red berries or strawberries and so on.
Foods that literally come from the earth (potatoes, tubers) can also have a grounding effect on you.
There are also some yoga exercises that promote contact with the earth. Doing 5 Tibetan yoga can also stimulate the chakras.
Another good option is a chakra meditation.
Meditation for the first chakra
Sit down and carefully check that your sitting bones are in contact with the ground. Close your eyes and focus all your attention on the root chakra. Visualize the red energy center here again.
Breathe into it several times, allowing this red color to become stronger and stronger with each inhalation. Then begin to visualize a red or gold cord. This extends from the tailbone to the earth’s core.
With each inhale, breathe red energy from the earth core up into the root chakra. With each exhale, release energy from the root chakra that you no longer need and return it to the earth through the cord.
Before ending the meditation, visualize the cord coming back up. Continue to feel that you are connected to the earth. You can repeat this at any time of the day.
Three yoga postures for the root chakra
Tadasana
Tadasana is also known as mountain pose. This pose helps to ground yourself well and maintain a firm posture.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and place your feet firmly on the mat. Tighten the thigh muscles and keep the legs slightly active.
Place your hands on your hips to tilt your pelvis just below. Let the tailbone, where the root chakra is located, point downward.
Relax the shoulders and allow the shoulder blades to come together slightly and the back to move downward. The arms are along the body and the palms are actively open and facing forward.
Stretch the crown of the head upward and draw the chin slightly inward. Keep the body active in this pose and be aware of abdominal breathing.
Hold this pose for one minute, focusing on the feet connecting with the earth. From this connection with the earth, lengthen and make yourself as tall as possible.
Read More: Chakra Yoga Exercises
Vrksasana
This pose is also known as tree pose. Like tree pose, this pose offers grounding with the earth.
You place your feet hip-width apart again and then shift your weight to your right foot. Then lift the left foot and place the left foot on the inside of the right calf or the inside of the right thigh.
Tilt your pelvis so that your tailbone is pointing down. Relax the shoulders and bring the hands together in front of the heart in Anjali Mudra. Stretch the crown of the head upward and draw the chin inward slightly.
Direct your gaze to something that is not moving and focus on it. Direct your attention inward to your abdominal breathing and inhale and exhale gently. You can also hold this pose for a minute and then repeat on the other side.
Malasana
Malasana is also known as a squat. This pose opens the pelvis and allows energy to flow downward, and also helps with grounding.
It can be helpful to have a pillow/blanket/rolled up yoga mat on hand. You want the heels to be grounded, these supports can help you place them under the heels.
Place your feet at mat width (or possibly a little closer together if you have that space in your pelvis) and turn your toes slightly outward.
Then bend the knees and bring the pelvis as close to the floor as possible. Place your hands together in Anjali Mudra and place your elbows on the inside of your knees.
Then with the elbows give pressure against the knees and with the knees against the elbows. From here, you can reach up the back from the pelvis and bring the chin in slightly.
To come out of this position, place your hands on the floor and then extend your legs again and come up.
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