The Root chakra is the energetic expression of our eternal connection with Mother Earth. We are Earth’s children and through our roots, reaching deep into its core, we receive nourishment, support, and a sense of belonging.
It is needless to say that the Muladhara or the Root chakra is the foundation of the vertical axis on which the rest of the body is organized. Seated at the perineum, the root chakra harbors an immense amount of energy and functions as an anchor to ensure stability in our lives.
The organs most affected are lower belly, pelvis, and the upper legs and also the most instinctive physical urges namely: food, sex, sleep, and self-preservation are directly or indirectly connected to the root chakra.
Maintaining a balanced root chakra is of utmost significance, but what happens when the foundation of a building is not firmly anchored? It stands the risk of collapsing with the slightest amount of pressure.
An imbalance in any energetic wheel or Chakra can have a disastrous impact on the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of a person. When all these three levels are impacted, a person can face problems in almost all parts of life.
Here are some of the signs that the Root Chakra is either overactive or underactive and a few ways to fix this.
Physical impact of an imbalanced Root Chakra
- Digestion problems – Constipation, Diarrhea, bladder issues, etc.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Weight gain.
- Overactive or underactive sex drive.
- Prostate issues in men.
- Leg and feet pain.
- Fatigue and anemia.
Emotional impact of an unhealed Root Chakra
- Obsession with money and wordily pleasures.
- Anger, impatience, and short temperedness.
- Desire to possess and inability to let go.
- Experiencing fear and insecurity in every action.
- Feeling of being stuck in situations.
- Resistance to change.
- Anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Spiritual Impact of an unbalanced Root Chakra
- Lack of faith in the self and the universal pattern.
- Negative outlook towards life.
- Lack of spiritual guidance and intelligence.
Based on a person’s circumstances, eating habits, and lifestyle patterns, they can experience either an overactive or underactive Root Chakra. Usually, an overactive Root Chakra would create aggression, inflexibility, desire to control or rule, authority problems, increase in sexual appetite, and greediness.
Whereas, an under active Root Chakra creates a sense of disconnectedness with the world and lack of connection with one’s own body as well. Lack of self-esteem, no identification of self-worth, restlessness, depression, lethargy, decrease in sexual appetite and excessive weight loss.
Ways to balance the Root Chakra
1) Color therapy
The instinctive color of Root Chakra is red. In order to activate or balance the chakra, it is advised that one should wear red colored cloths, eat red colored food like carrots, beetroot, pomegranate, etc., and see or smell red colored things. Basically, involving all the five senses with the color red is the key to balance.
2) Sound Therapy
Every chakra has a mantra associated with it, which activates and invigorates it. For Root Chakra, the mantra is ‘LAM’. The practitioner can simply sit in a quiet place and chant three times followed by ‘OM’ three times, and repeat the same process for a few minutes.
3) Using Crystals
Crystals and gems are powerful tools to gently align or restore your chakra energies, if used wisely. Stones like red and black crystals, such as Red Garnet, Red Jasper, Smoky Quartz, Black Onyx and Hematite, will rebalance your root chakra. Placing the gemstones in the room (in the suitable direction) is also a good technique.
4) Nature Therapy
Nature has an innate ability to heal us. Walk barefoot on grass, go for a hike, spend time in nature, this will not only balance the root chakra but also cleanse it.
5) Yoga
Yogic science was designed to cater to all the sheaths or Koshas and allow a healthy mind and a body to prosper. There are many asanas that can heighten the functioning of the root chakra, either directly or indirectly.
Pelvic floor muscles and organs located near the chakra can be worked with the help of yoga asanas like pigeon pose, tree pose, butterfly pose, lotus pose, squatting pose, etc. can balance and cleanse the chakra.
6) Affirmations
Our thoughts create our reality, and by regularly practising positive chakra balancing affirmations, we can achieve astonishing results in our lives. Some of the affirmations related to Root Chakra are, “I am Safe”, “I am supported”, “I am well connected to Mother Earth”, “The universe supports me”, etc. Simply chant (mentally or verbally) these affirmations throughout the day.
“Consider a tree for a moment. As beautiful as trees are to look at, we don’t see what goes on underground – as they grow roots. Trees must develop deep roots in order to grow strong and produce their beauty. But we don’t see the roots. We just see and enjoy the beauty. In much the same way, what goes on inside of us is like the roots of a tree.” ~ Joyce Meyer
Your root chakra is the foundation stone of all the other chakras and ensure your root chakra is well-balanced as it is the roots that gives life and keeps you grounded.
Image source
Root Chakra art by Mark Preston
Root chakra
