What Is The Root Chakra?

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    The root chakra is the first chakra. Its energy is based on the earth element. It’s associated with the feeling of safety and grounding. It’s at the base of the chakra system and lays the foundation for expansion in your life.

    Where is the Root Chakra?

    Root Chakra

    The first chakra or root chakra is located at the base of the spine. The corresponding body locations are the perineum, along the first three vertebrae, at the pelvic plexus. This chakra is often represented as a cone of energy starting at the base of the spine and going downward and then slight bent up.

    Key characteristics of the root chakra

    The first chakra is associated with the following functions or behavioral characteristics:

    • Security, safety
    • Survival
    • Basic needs (food, sleep, shelter, self-preservation, etc.)
    • Physicality, physical identity and aspects of self
    • Grounding
    • Support and foundation for living our lives

    The root chakra provides the foundation on which we build our life. It supports us in growing and feeling safe into exploring all the aspects of life. It is related to our feeling of safety and security, whether it’s physical or regarding our bodily needs or metaphorical regarding housing and financial safety. To sum it up, the first chakra questions are around the idea of survival and safety. The root chakra is where we ground ourselves into the earth and anchor our energy into the manifest world.

    What happens when the first chakra is imbalanced

    At the emotional level, the deficiencies or imbalance in the first chakra are related to:

    • Excessive negativity, cynicism
    • Eating disorders
    • Greed, avarice
    • Illusion
    • Excessive feeling of insecurity, living on survival mode constantly

    For a person who has imbalance in the first chakra, it might be hard to feel safe in the world and everything looks like a potential risk. The desire for security dominates and can translate into concerns over the job situation, physical safety, shelter, health. A blocked root chakra may turn into behaviors ruled mainly by fear.

    On the same line, when the root chakra is overactive, fear might turn into greed and paranoia, which are extreme forms of manifestation of imbalance in the first chakra. Issues with control over food intake and diet are related to it.

    >> Find out more ideas for healing the root chakra

    Root Chakra

    Opening the root chakra

    There are many ways to open your root chakra. For example, you can engage more in grounding and earth-related activities (for example, connection with nature, gardening, cooking healthy, hiking).

    The main idea is to work at growing your ”roots” in a safe and comfortable environment (i.e., surround yourself with earth colors, objects reminding you of nature, stability; or on the contrary, if you wish to feel less stuck, do the opposite).

    Yoga for the root chakra can be a more physical way to bridge the body and mind and restore a more balanced energy flow.

    What’s in the Muladhara or root chakra name?

    The first chakra is referred to as:

    • Root chakra
    • Muladhara
    • Adhara

    It’s Sanskrit name is ”muladhara” can signify “base”, ‘foundation”, “root support”.

    The first chakra is associated with the Earth element.

    Chakra colors: The red chakra

    The typical color used to represent the root chakra is a rich vermilion red. This is the color used on its symbol to fill its petals. Traditionally, it is also associated with the color yellow or gold (this is the color of its element as opposed to its petals). In the spectrum of chakra colors, red symbolizes strength, vitality, and stimulates our instinctual tendencies.

    Root chakra symbol

    The symbol of the root chakra is composed of a four-petaled lotus flower, often stylized as a circle with four petals with a downward-pointing triangle.

    The downward-pointing triangle is a symbol of spirit connecting with matter, grounding on the earth and our earthly existence, in our bodies. It’s seen as the center of our vital life force and is the seat where kundalini stays coiled, dormant, until is wakes up to distribute its energy through all the other chakras.

    Take the Chakra Test: Discover which chakra may be imbalanced

    When properly balanced each of your 7 Chakras work together to create an optimal life. If you are like most of us your energetic ecosystem could use some help. Take this 2-minute chakra test to know which of your chakras may be the weakest.