The First Chakra - Muladhara

First Chakra Muladhara for Spirit Yoga blog

 

Element: Earth

Colour: Red

Gemstones: Emerald (to calm) blue sapphire, carnelian (to balance), red ruby, red garnet.

Emotion: sensuality, security, grounding, stabilising.

Oils: cedarwood, vetiver, patchouli, myrrh

Body Sense: smell

Mantra:  “I am connected, I am safe, all is One.”

Blessings: “I give thanks for being One with all of life.”

Sanskrit seed symbol: make the sound ‘LA” while focusing on your chakra

The first chakra (or base chakra) is called Muladhara. It is located at the perineum at the base of the spine and is also known by other names such as; the root or mula. This chakra is responsible for taking care of the basic needs of survival, feeling grounded and purging the body of wastes. Its function supports healthy bones and nerves, and the body parts associated with the root chakra are the spine, legs, feet and the large intestine.

It is also associated with your connection to the Earth, your birthplace, culture and your foundation. To help balance the root chakra it is beneficial in a yoga class to focus on the soles of your feet and their connection to the Earth in standing poses.

If your root chakra is under-active you may feel disorganised, have a lack of focus and discipline, feel anxious, restless and disconnected from the world around you. You will probably experience a lack of stamina, depression and/or desire for life. Financial security and boundary setting may prove difficult as well.

If the root chakra is over-active you may experience anger, annoyance and aggression in your life. Also greediness, control issues, over-active sex drive and an inability to accept change.  

 
Physical symptoms may include: weight-loss/gain, over or underactive sex drive, poor immune system, anemia, depression, laziness and irritible bowel syndrome.
 
"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are."  ~ Confucius. 
 
To balance the chakras you can practice specific yoga poses to encourage balance, use oils for the 1st Chakra (inhaled or anointed), lay specific gemstones directly on your chakra and/or  visualise a wheel of light in the chakra’s colour (red), spinning in a counter clockwise direction to cleanse and in a clockwise direction to strengthen.

Grounding yoga poses for Mulahara such as:

·  Bridge Pose (Setu Bandasana) opens up the root chakra

·  Standing Forward Bend (Uttasana) grounds through the feet and helps recycle energy; provides a feeling of calm, patience and willingness to slow down.

·  Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) connection of legs and pelvic floor to the earth

·  Child’s Pose (Balasana) reaching out upon the earth

·  W1 (virabhadrasana 1) helps discharge negative energy through the grounded feet, receive energy from the earth.

·  Eagle (Garudhasana) encourages a state of inner stillness and balance.

·  Triangle Pose (trikonasana) helps discharge negative energy through the grounded feet, receive energy from the earth.

·  Head to Knee Pose (janu sirsasana) focus on legs and pelvic floor connection with the earth.

·  Sleeping Butterfly (Supta Baddha Konasana) connection of legs and pelvic floor to the earth

Questions to ask your-self related to the root chakra:

·   What do I need?

·   What keeps me grounded?

·   How do I connect with nature?

·   What makes me feel secure?

·   Where am I safe?

·   What gives me sustenance?

·  How can I share my stability and strength with others?

 

Next month: The Sacral or 2nd Chakra/Svadisthana

Chakras : Read 'What are the Chakras' at Spirit Yoga news/blog here.

Chakra Jewellery: http://www.chakra.net.au/

 

Article by Martine Ford