Basics of the Muladhara Chakra
The word muladhara is pronounced "moola-dhara" or "mūlādhāra" and means "root of being" in Sanskrit. Breaking the word down further, the word "mula" means root and "dhara" means energy.
Body Location: Near the base of the spine or tailbone and below the sacrum
Color: Red
Seed Sound: Lam (?)
Elements : Earth
Mudra: Gyan Mudra
Sense: Smell
Function: Excretion
Organs: Adrenal glands, colon and kidneys
God: Ganesha
Symbol: Four-petal lotus
Stone: garnet, red jasper, carnelian or bloodstone
Muladhara Chakra Development
The root chakra first develops between conception and age 7. During this critical developmental period, you begin to form the basis of your understanding of the world and internalize a sense of safety and trust. This chakra forms the first connection between the physical and energy bodies, creating the bridge from matter to spirit.
Muladhara Emotions and Energy
Since Muladhara is the first chakra in the seven-chakra system, it is also the seat of Kundalini, or the powerful energy that leads to awakening , as it travels up the chakra to the top of the head. In traditional tantric yoga, Muladhara chakra is also the seat of the red bindu, or the subtle drop of energy that combines with the white bindu of the head. The union of these two energies represents the union of the feminine and masculine energies of Shakti and Shiva, ultimately leading to liberation or moksha.
How to Recognize When Your Root Chakra is Out of Balance
The first step to healing is to first recognize when you are out of balance. When we acknowledge that an imbalance exists, we can begin to take steps to shift these energies and heal from within.
Psychological, Emotional and Spiritual Signs Your Muladhara Chakra is out of balance:
Anxiety, stress, PTSD, or depression
Fatigue or lethargy
? Insomnia
? Difficulty taking action in life or feeling trapped
? Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
? Distracted or having difficulty concentrating
? Restless or impatient
? Concerned about material matters or greed
? Worried about safety, security, or your Basic Needs
Physical signs that your Muladhara chakra is out of balance:
? Digestive problems
? Chronic stress or adrenal fatigue
? Kidney or bladder health problems
? Lower back pain
? Reproductive problems
? Rapid weight gain or loss
? Pelvis Pain
? Incontinence
? Eating disorders
5 Simple Ways to Balance Muladhara Chakra
1. Practice Grounding Yoga Asanas
Since the root chakra is the foundation of the subtle energy body and the entire chakra system, stability and strength must be created in this chakra center. A great way to deepen this sense of grounding is through yoga poses that stimulate your tailbone or pelvis and include rooting into the ground to build strength. Additionally, any posture that activates the mula banda or "root lock" is ideal for this chakra.
Yoga poses for the Muladhara chakra:
? Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
? Simple Sitting (Siddhasana)
? Tree Pose (Vrkshasasna)
? Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
? Child’s Pose (Barasana)
? Garland Pose (Marasana)
? Virabhadrasana II (Virabhadrasana II)
? Dhanurasana (Dhanurasana)
? Phalakasana (Phalakasana)
? Pavanmuktasana )
4. Use the power of sound healing
One of the main beliefs of yoga is that everything is a vibration or spandha. Spanda is the subtle pulse of the universe that also exists within each of us. The primary methods of healing by tuning into this pulsating energy are through mantras, affirmations, and healing sound frequencies. The Muladhara Chakra vibrates at the sight-reading frequency of 396 Hz, so listening to healing music or Tibetan singing bowls at this frequency can have profound healing effects.
? I am
? Gayatri Mantra
? Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
? I am strong and stable.
? I am safe.
? I am grounded and connected.
5. Heal your inner child
The development of Muladhara Chakra occurs during the developmental period between birth and age seven. During this time in life, many people often experience hidden trauma that they may not even realize later in life. The healing work of the inner child is an important process of connecting to the core wounds within the root chakra and opening this inner healing center.