If you follow me on Instagram or on my FB page, you’ll know I focus on the spiritual as well as the physical as the mind, body and spirit are all connected. A few months ago, I embarked on a short 7 week course on the chakras which have been invaluable as I’ve learned so much more about them and how they affect our mood and everyday lives. I wrote about these energy centres a year ago but this time, I will be taking a closer look and share with you the physical and energetic signs when these energy centres are underactive or overactive and easy but very effective exercises to do to rebalance them to help heal your mind, body and spirit. So In this blog post, we shall naturally start with the Root Chakra.
The Root Chakra
The Sanskrit name of this chakra is Muladhara which comes from the word Mula, which means root and Dhara, which means support. It’s located at the base of your spine near your tailbone and it’s the root of your being and the first of your main seven chakras. It’s your survival centre related to your basic needs, fight or flight response, any issues with your survival such as sex, food, water, sleeping, exercising, housing, financial security, sense of safety and stability.
Colour: Red
Element: Earth
Body Parts associated with Root Chakra:
Coccyx, anus, colon, kidneys, muscles, large intestine, adrenal glands, back, legs, feet and bones/skeleton
Physical Imbalances:
Bowel or large intestine problems, problems with feet, ankles, knees, legs and base of spine, eating disorders
Connected to our sense of smell
Signs when the Root Chakra is underactive:
- Disconnection from the body
- Underweight
- Fearful
- Insecure
- Feeling unsettled
- Feeling restless
- Poor focus
- Lack discipline
- Financial problems
- Disorganised
- Long term bad health
- Weak immune system
Signs when the Root Chakra is overactive:
- Overweight
- Frequent comfort eating
- Addiction
- Hoarding
- Material fixation
- Greed
- Feeling Tired and fatigued
- Fear of change, need routine
- Laziness
- Feeling unmotivated
When the Root Chakra is balanced:
- Good Health
- Good energy levels
- Feel grounded and secure
- Ability to relax and be still
- Happy with own company
- Have financial freedom
Childhood Trauma that can have an impact:
- Birth Trauma
- Abandonment/neglect
- Poor physical bonding with the Mother
- Malnourishment
- Major illness
- Inherited root chakra traumas through pregnancy
How to Rebalance:
- Yoga
- Visualising the colour red during meditation
- Exercise
- Massage Therapy
- Energy work – Reiki, Crystal Healing
- Eating a nourishing diet – Eat red foods
- Using Crystals: Bloodstone, Jasper, Carnelian, Smokey Quartz, Garnet
- Essential Oils: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Vertiver, Ginger, Clove
- Explore earliest childhood experience
- Affirm your right to be here
- Connect with nature – go barefoot
- Chanting Chakra seed sound LAM
Being Ungrounded
Being ungrounded is common as it’s so entrenched that a few of us recognise the problem which is the cause of a great deal of suffering. When you are grounded it reduces inflammation, improves your immune response, reduces emotional stress, improves blood flow and lifts the mood. Most of our stress and anxiety comes from a disconnection from our bodies. The more rooted you are in your body, the less stress and anxiety you will experience.
Signs of being ungrounded:
- Get distracted easily
- Feeling spaced out
- Tend to overthink, ruminate
- Engage in personal drama
- Experience anxiety and perpetual worrying
- Possessed by desire for material things
- Easily deceived by yourself or others
- Obsessed with personal image
Here are some grounding tips that you may like to try:
Place one hand over the top of your head. If it helps, close your eyes. Do this for 1 minute and feel the after effects.
Sit or stand barefoot if possible and place your awareness on the bottom of your feet and pay attention to any sensations. Do this for 1 minute.
Close your eyes and as you inhale, trace the air as it goes through your nose into your lungs and exits your nose and mouth. This exercise gets more effective with practice. The key to this short mindful meditation is to observe your breath. Do this up to 10 minutes.
Taking a cold shower has many health benefits. Cold water exposure increases immunity, reduces fat and uplifts the mood. If you are not used to cold showers, make sure the water is tepid and give yourself a blast of water for 30 seconds.
Get outside and go barefoot. Find a safe place free from debris or glass and stand on the earth, grass, stone, sand or dirt. Try to stand in one place or walk around or lay down if possible. If you can lie down, have one foot and an elbow on the ground to get that connection. Try and avoid grass that has been sprayed with pesticides as it can get absorbed through your feet. Avoid walking on Asphalt.
Practising mindful walking is about staying in the present within your environment. Notice the sensations in your toes, feet and your body and the after effects it has on you.
