The Root Chakra – Muladhara
Muladhara provides support for all of the other energy centres in the body. It is an incredibly powerful chakra that forms the root of our existence.
Muladhara is often referred to as the root chakra or the base chakra. The word Muladhara translates from Sanskrit to mean the following, Mula – Root and Adhara – base or foundation.
There are seven main chakras positioned between the base of the spine and the crown of the head. Each chakra when healthy and balanced spins in a clockwise direction (the speed will vary between chakras and each individual). The energy of each chakra is represented by a different colour and resonates at a different frequency. Chakras are dense areas of pranic energy.
Carefully selected asanas, mudras, bandhas, pranayamas and meditations, have the ability to balance and cleanse the Chakras. When the chakras are well balanced optimum levels of physical and emotional balance can be experienced.
Working with the chakras can advance spiritual practices. Extreme care must be taken when working with the chakras as these are very powerful energy centres that influence health, wellbeing and behaviour.
When working with the energy centres balance is the key!
Muladhara is positioned at the base of the spine it is an important chakra. It provides a solid foundation and support for all of the other chakras aligned above it.
Solid foundations provide stability to maintain a sense of being grounded and accepting through times of change or turbulence.
Muladhara is the densest of the chakras and resonates at the lowest frequency. It is a rich red colour.
The symbol shows four petals, these represent the four functions of the psyche: mind (Manas), intellect (Buddhi), consciousness (Chitta) and ego (Ahamkara) - all of which originate in this Chakra.
The importance of muladhara is not to be overlooked. When muladhara is unbalanced internal chaos could be experienced (it might sound severe however it is often mild and goes unnoticed).
A well balanced root chakra will make other chakra opening practices more effective. Plus it will increase energy levels making you feel vibrant and full of vitality.
In Short …..
This chakra provides a foundation. The element of this chakra is earth. It is associated with the sense of smell and its Mantra is LAM and it is red in colour.
Muladhara Chakra deals with physical identity, survival, stability, instinct, ambition, and self-sufficiency.
Areas of the body that are governed by Muladhara Chakra are: - bones, teeth, nails, anus, prostate, adrenals, kidneys, lower digestive functions, excretory functions, and sexual activity.
Physical Dysfunctions that are associated with this Chakra: - poor sleep pattern, lower back pain, constipation, IBS, depression, immune related disorders, obesity and eating disorders.
Psychological and Emotional Issues associated with this Chakra are: - possessiveness, disorientation, fear, anger, low or high levels of self- esteem, survival, and security.
The positive attributes of the Muladhara Chakra are vitality and growth. The negative qualities are laziness, inertia and self-centredness.
Postures to help balance Muladhara chakra are: -
Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), Tadasana (The Mountain), Paschimotanasana (Seated Forward Bend and Upavishtha Konasana (Wide Legged Seated Forward Bend) or strong grounding postures or postures that stimulate the location of this chakra.
This chakra creates a foundation for all of the other chakras, ideally it needs to be tuned and balanced before working on practices to stimulate and open other energy centres of the body.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
