Muladhara | The Root Chakra
The First Chakra
The root chakra forms the foundation for all other chakras, housing kundalini energy in its coiled, potential form.
When this chakra is activated and in balance, you will notice that you are operating from a sense of security because you feel that you are genuinely supported in all that you do. You’ll come across as stable, calm, and grounded. Easy to be around. Confident but not arrogant.
Without activation of the powerful first chakra, the upper chakras are likely to come out of whack.
Read on to learn more about muladhara chakra, what it symbolizes, and how yoga can bring it into balance.
Location: Base of the spine
Color: Red
Seed Sound (Bija Mantra): LAM
Element: earth
The Root Chakra Signifies:
- one’s foundation
- security
- firmness
- solidity
- physicality
- being grounded
- most primal & basic needs being met
When muladhara rules too much:
- an over-focus on the material: consumption, accumulation
- a feeling of being stuck: the upper chakras cannot act to bring movement, drive, purpose and fluidity into life
- depression, stagnation, immobility
When in lack:
- basic needs may not be being met
- the upper chakras operate without their foundation resulting in an airy, quick-moving, unstable, or overly excited affect
- feeling of insecurity sometimes with resulting overcompensation: like an over-focus on material well-being
- the world feels unsafe
- lack of confidence
When in balance:
- a sense of groundedness
- a feeling of security
- basic material resources like food and shelter are in steady supply
- a person feels supported by his or her environment
3 Yoga Poses to Stimulate Muladhara Chakra
Yoga asana can help you to connect with the root chakra. Muladhara is associated with the feet, legs, sitting bones, seat and the base of the spine — in other words, everywhere the body tends to contact earth.
1. Mountain Pose | Tadasana
To emphasize the root chakra:
- Actively root your feet into the ground
- Establish the connection between your physical body and earth
- Allow this downward energy to facilitate a lift through the rest of the body
2. Simple Seated Pose | Siddhasana
To Connect to Muladhara Chakra:
- Sense the sitting bones pressing into the ground
- Consider the earth as an active force coming up to support you
- Sit with ease, knowing you are supported (use a support like a blanket or block if that helps you to sit more comfortably)
3. The Warrior Poses | Virabhadrasana
To Connect to Muladhara Chakra:
- Actively press your feet into the ground
- Establish the connection from your feet to your center
- Radiate power, strength, security and stability
For extra grounding…
Take your shoes off and go for a walk in the dirt.
Look for evidence that the world is generally hospitable to human life.
Establish relationships that feel supportive with people who are genuinely joyful when you experience a success.
Finally...
Make it a practice to tend to your well-being, and the root chakra will surely generate a powerful reserve of energy that will feed your life and all of your many endeavors.
with love,
Leigha
Leigha Butler is a long-time YouTuber, yogi, momma, vegan, and lover of wellness. She brings her former life as an Environmental Lit teacher to bear on her writings — with the goal of uplifting people and planet.
Find her yoga classes on YouTube or take a free trial on her membership site.
