Chakra is a word derived from Sanskrit and literally means ‘wheel’. You can therefore imagine a chakra as a vortex that allows energy to flow through your body, or in other words: a ‘spinning wheel of energy’. There are several chakras in our energetic body, but there are seven ‘main’ chakras. When these whirlpools of energy are able to flow freely, you’ll find that you’re in the flow of life. You feel good both physically and mentally, and you stand firm in this hectic society. You bounce back from setbacks and can enjoy all the beauty that life has to offer. Everything the chakras represent can flow freely, and you feel good.
Blockages in a chakra
When there is a disruption or blockage in a chakra, you’ll notice that the areas associated with that chakra aren’t flowing quite as smoothly in your life. Sometimes this can even cause physical discomfort. Think, for example, of neck and shoulder problems caused by a blockage in the throat chakra. By being aware of this energy in your body and knowing what the different chakras represent, you can often do a great deal yourself to alleviate certain symptoms. Of course, it’s important to keep a close eye on your health and to consult a doctor if symptoms persist. But sometimes you can link your symptoms to a specific event, which means you can take steps yourself to alleviate the discomfort. For example: neck pain after you’ve had to keep your opinion to yourself during a conversation and haven’t been able to express how you feel…
There is an awful lot to say about chakras. That’s why, in this first blog post, you’ll find out more about the first chakra: what it represents, what symptoms can arise from blockages, and, of course, how you can alleviate these symptoms – for example, using certain products or exercises. In short, a blog post packed with information that you might well find very useful!
The first chakra, the root chakra
✽ 𝙱𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚛𝚊 – Colour: Red – Is located at the base of the coccyx
The root chakra is called in Sanskrit Muladhara chakra … which means ‘root’. That is why this chakra is also known as the root chakra. This chakra plays a particularly important role during the first seven years of life. It forms the basis of our existence: the fundamental trust upon which we build the rest of our lives.
This chakra is linked to the feeling of being at home and being fully present in situations. It gives us the confidence to face life and the challenges that come with it. This chakra also forms the connection between the body and the earth, and influences the way you move through the world. Willpower and so-called ‘material spirituality’ play a role in this. Our root chakra also influences matters such as safety, basic trust, financial security (basic needs) and setting boundaries; by boundaries, we mean the ability to clearly indicate what is and isn’t acceptable to you.
Balance and imbalance
⊕ When the chakra is in balance, you feel grounded, stable and safe. You are present in the here and now. It therefore represents the right to simply be here. You trust that there is enough for you, and you do not worry about money, for example. You look after yourself well: you eat healthily, keep your body in shape and trust both yourself and those around you.
⊖ If a chakra is blocked or overactive, you may find that you have little confidence in yourself or in the world around you. You feel dependent and find it difficult to let go of old beliefs. You may have a somewhat negative or cynical attitude. Physically, you may experience symptoms such as cold feet or thighs, and it may feel as though you are literally not standing firmly on your own two feet.
Are you finding it difficult to give up smoking? This may also be down to a lack of grounding. A weak root chakra often means that appearance and materialism are less important to you. With an overactive root chakra, the opposite is true: you place a great deal of value on appearance, money and material possessions.
Tips!
Start every morning with a visualisation.
Stand barefoot on the ground, close your eyes and focus your attention on the soles of your feet. Consciously feel your feet making contact with the earth. Then visualise strong roots growing from the soles of your feet, deep into the earth.
Imagine that all the negative energy from your energy body is being channelled through these roots down into the earth. At the centre of the earth lies a sphere of healing energy. Once your roots have released the negative energy, let it travel on to this sphere of energy. See how the roots anchor themselves within it.
Let the powerful energy from this earth source flow back to you through your roots. Feel this energy filling your feet and legs. When you feel that you are fully recharged with this grounding energy, gently return to the here and now, ready to start your day.
This exercise takes just five minutes. At first, visualising might be a bit tricky, but it will get easier and easier as time goes on. You’ll find that you literally feel more confident and grounded.
Additional tips
Walk barefoot more often, both indoors and outdoors.
Be mindful of every step you take. Feel your feet touching the ground and try to take each step mindfully.
Use crystals that help with grounding. Wear them as pendant or save a cuddle stone in your trouser pocket. Good stones for the root chakra are:
Grenade, Haematite, Red Jasper, Petrified Wood, Fire agate and Black Tourmaline
Use scents that support the root chakra. These include Mother Earth or the Root Chakra oil. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and massage it into your feet, for example before going to bed.
Or use the oil in a warm foot bath: add a dash of oil and a tablespoon of Epsom salt to the water. These oils are also available as sprays or roll-ons, which are handy for when you’re out and about or for everyday use.
Red, the colour of the root chakra
Each chakra is associated with a specific colour; for the root chakra, this is red. If you notice that the energy in this chakra isn’t flowing properly, you can consciously use this colour:
🍎 Eat more red foods, such as tomatoes, strawberries, red peppers, beetroot, red apples…
🍎 Wear red clothes or underwear.
🍎 Sit on a red mat or cushion whilst doing your exercises.
🍎 Add some red flowers or accessories to your home.
𝙻𝚒𝚎𝚏𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊
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