The Root Chakra
The root chakra is an energy center in the body located at the perineum, extending up the first three vertebrae of the spine. Its energy color is red and because it is the “root,” this chakra serves as the foundation upon which all others sit, and from which you live your life.
This is a chakra of survival, instinct and safety. It helps ensure that you meet your basic needs, both physically and emotionally. Having enough food, water, shelter, and clothing (and the money necessary to have these) satisfies your physical needs. Feeling loved and cared for, as well as connected to others, allows you to satisfy your emotional needs.
What does the root chakra do?
The root chakra governs the health of the adrenal glands, colon, kidneys, the musculoskeletal structure of the body, as well as the lower body: legs, feet, and lower spine.
A balanced root chakra
A balanced root chakra means a person feels safe and secure, their basic needs are met, they feel supported, grounded (rooted) toward the earth, and when faced with a challenge, they exhibit courage and the “knowing” that everything will work out.
An imbalanced root chakra
An imbalanced chakra means you might tend toward the following:
- negativity
- depression
- an eating disorder
- greedy behavior
- difficulty with relationships
- existing in “survival mode” for prolonged periods of time
- having feelings of insecurity
- anxiousness
Feeling like you don’t belong can also upset the balance of this chakra.
You might experience other physical health issues related to a blocked root chakra, including autoimmune disease, brittle bones, kidney disease, spinal issues, restless legs or other ailments associated with the lower body.
This video is a musical meditation in which “lam” is the mantra, repeated over and over again to help in opening an imbalanced root chakra.
Bringing the root chakra into balance
It’s important to bring this chakra into balance before focusing on any other chakras in the body. The root chakra serves as the foundation for personal transformation and opening all other chakras. Bringing this chakra into balance involves several different activities, meditations, and habits you can change or form:
- Meditation in general can “ground” you, as well as doing a standing meditation in which you imagine your feet “rooting” to the ground.
- Eating earthy foods such as beets, carrots, or turnips; eating other red foods such as apples
- Spending time in nature, and walking barefoot in the grass or in the forest. Hiking, walking, or jogging help keep your feet in contact with the earth.
- Carrying a gemstone in the color of this chakra, and keeping it near your root chakra area during meditation.
- Wearing the color red, and visualizing a red energy field surrounding you.
- Chanting “lam,” as a seed mantra to help activate this chakra.
Root Chakra Guided Meditation
I created a root chakra guided meditation for you. I’ve included the script here, along with the video. In fact, I’m creating a whole guided meditation series on all the chakras over the next few weeks.
Introduction
As you begin this practice, make sure you won’t be disturbed.
You may sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, or on a cushion – wherever you may be comfortable. Just be sure the position you find is one that you can maintain long enough for this meditation. Be kind to yourself. If you find that you need to shift, do so with mindfulness and calm.
When you meditate, it’s okay to have thoughts – they will come! Welcome them. Meditation shouldn’t be a strain. Don’t try too hard. Just bring your gentle, nonjudgmental attention back to this meditation when you find your thoughts have taken you somewhere else.
Let go of expectations. You have come to your chair or cushion. Let yourself settle into this practice to benefit from this time of calm and silence. Once you begin this meditation, stick with it until the end.
Beginning the meditation
Close your eyes, or cap them halfway, with a soft unfocused gaze.
Bring your awareness to the breath. Notice the rise and fall of the chest, the natural rhythm of breathing. Sit with the breath for a few moments.
If you find your thoughts wandering, gently come back to this root chakra meditation. Thoughts are okay. Let them come. Welcome them. Gently let them go by coming back to this meditation. Be kind to yourself.
Now, take two or three deep yawns. You can “fake yawn” until one comes on.
Bring your attention back to the breath. Notice the natural rhythm of your breathing.
Breathe in, deeply, first into your belly and then into your chest. Inhale as much as you can.
Slowly begin to release the air, starting with your chest, then your belly. Do this for two more breaths.
Moving deeper into the root chakra meditation
Bring your attention to the root of your being, the base of the spine. A tiny ball of red energy spins there.
See this energy center as a red pin of light.
On your next breath, breathe into this red pin, and allow it to grow into the size of a marble.
With another breath, expand this light so that it envelops your lower body.
The vermillion red light grows to surround your body. Its energy swirls in a circular motion around your body.
This ruby light to surround you for a few more moments.
Now send this red light down to your feet. This light allows you to become rooted. Your feet grow roots into the earth below you, and energy from the earth moves into your body.
Send the red light up your legs, allowing the muscles to relax and the blood to flow freely.
Move up toward your thighs, sending red energy into your hip bones, your thigh bones, your kneecaps, your lower leg bones, and to all the bones in your feet.
This light expands to your lower spine, sending healing red energy through all of your lower body. As you breathe, your blood pumps healing energy to all parts of your body. Your entire body lights up with rich healing energy as the earth sends you more energy.
Allow the red, healing light to move through you, and around you, bathing your body in crimson light.
Chanting “Lam”
Keep your breathing normal. In a moment, I will guide you through a few slower breaths before beginning to chant the word “lam.” You can chant silently, whisper, or say the word aloud. Lam resonates with the root chakra, awakening and strengthening it.
As you breathe, bring the air into your belly.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Now, inhale to chant.
Lammmmmmmmmmmm.
Inhale to chant.
Lammmmmmmmmmmm.
Inhale to chant.
Lammmmmmmmmmmm.
(breathe in)
Lammmmmmmmmmmm.
(Continue for two minutes)
Let your breathing return to normal.
Affirmations
The red light still surrounds you. All the areas in the root chakra absorb this light and awaken.
You are connected to the earth.
You are grounded and centered.
You belong.
You trust in and love life.
You have everything you need to live life fully.
You trust that your needs are met.
You feel secure financially.
You feel supported by the universe and by those around you.
You experience abundance.
Spend a couple minutes in silence as you continue to keep this healing light energized. As you breathe, ribbons of this beautiful light touch your lower spine, legs, and feet.
Ending the meditation
Keep your eyes closed or capped as you near the end of this meditation.
It’s important to come out of meditation slowly.
Bring your awareness back to the breath. Allow yourself to feel the in and out rhythm of the rise and fall of the breath.
On your next inhale, allow the fingers and toes to wiggle if you wish. Gently shift your arms or legs as needed.
When you’re ready, open your eyes with a soft downward gaze. Keep your focus inward.
Open your eyes fully as you’re ready. You may return to your day.
References:
First Chakra Root Muladhara
Balancing Your Root Chakra
What is the Root Chakra?
Ultimate Guide to Root Chakra Healing for Beginners
Definitely want to try Roo Chankra as all the benefits listed here are numerous and amazing. So, thank you for the help and inspiration on how to do so here. Hugs and Happy Monday now!!! xoxo <3
Janine – if you do try it, lemme know. 🙂 Thank you always for coming over and “rooting” for me. hehe. Pun intended. You are awesome! Have a wonderful week! xoxo
Breathe in, breathe out! lol Lil Sis, you sound like a mentor I had a long time ago. I was busy whining about life to him, telling him how impossible things were, how I could never get done what I needed to get done, so he had me sit down and told me the first thing I needed to do, the very first step to take, is to breathe in, breathe out.
He’s the same guy who told me not to sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.
He dies about ten years ago. I miss him.
Hugs coming atcha, dear friend!
Big Bro, it sounds like you’ve had some mighty fine mentors. You’ve turned into one yourself! I came across a fellow blogger who said, “oh yeah, Bill is my mentor.” You inspire so many, my friend! Breathe in, and breathe out while you’re doing all those million things that require lots of time. Hehe. And don’t sweat the small stuff. Because, he’s right: in the end, it’s all small stuff. I think he wrote some good books, too. lol.
Hugs from Cakalack. Have a great week!
Going to try this myself. Thank you so much for putting this all together for us.
Oh my goodness! YAY! I hope you enjoy it. Lemme know what you think. I’m making this into a whole series. It’s partly because I’m working on really opening all of my own chakras, and so as I learn, so I share. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
This is right on time, dear Cynthia. I’m currently having some left knee issues. I now see that my root chakra is on a see-saw.
As I strive to regain my balance, your suggestions and guided meditation are a true gift.
Love, hugs and big thanks, Maria
Sweet Mar, thank you! You know, I realized that I had imbalances, too, as I researched and compiled all the information here. Doing this series is good for me – I’m learning a lot about myself in the process and where I can work on opening up my energy and chakras more.
I’m especially wanting to do that because, get this, my right knee is badly bruised. I crashed while mountain biking yesterday and though I’m pretty banged up all over, I can say that I was so grateful nothing worse than that happened. My helmet did its job, I’ve got bruises and cuts and scrapes all over, but you know what? I just was still so happy. Happy to keep on doing my thing, living life, being out in nature, hearing the birds and using my riding time as meditation…after I’m not all sore anymore, I can’t wait to go again. The season’s just starting and after the winter, I’m really wanting to get outside and hug some trees (gently). Hehe.
Thank you for coming by. I am in the process of writing another meditation and I’m extra-fueled with energy knowing you are enjoying these. Thank you!!😘
What a beautiful way to start my day today Cynthia.. After being off line more than a few days I needed that much needed energy boost to my system..
I had both your meditation playing along with the other one, and I smiled widely there as I follow that particular channel of meditation too
And the power of both your voice along with the other chant, and then our merged chanting. was awesome.. So much so it set my third eye space into its own vibration of intensity, not pain exactly but pressure, I am sure you will have come to experience that kind of third eye pressure before..
I have just followed the flow this last couple of weeks Cynthia, not really been able to focus upon anything in particular. So many dreams I have had, and I guess the world will feel the reactions very soon.. Keep your eyes on Venezuela, my dreams have been focusing on their plight.
The last couple of CME’s I think wiped me out, like my energy had been drained.. Strange as my sister got the same symptoms as I did on the same day, Like the energy had been sucked out of us.. I have done nothing but sleep, full nights sleep and four hours in the day..
I am fine though, I know its all to do with the frequencies..
Hope you have a good week Cynthia..
Much love my friend, and I hope to try today to do a little catching up on WP.. But I am not stressing about it if I fail.. 🙂
Love and HUGs my special friend.. <3
Sweet Sue – I always love your comments! I am really enjoying researching and doing this meditation series because I am learning so much, but it’s also helping my own meditation. I love what all this is doing for my spiritual self. 🙂
When I read that you did the chanting along with me…I was speechless. I guess it’s because I make these videos and because not a lot of people see them (yet, lol), I sort of don’t expect that others ARE actually listening. I do my best in recording and edit to make a high-quality recording, but seeing someone such as yourself respond to it it awe-some. I am in awe. Thank you for sharing that.
And the fact that your third eye felt this vibration. Wow. Interestingly, after I created this meditation, I found myself dealing with quite the headache that started right in my third eye area. Ever since you mentioned this, I’ve wondered if the two have been related. Since starting to do so much chi kung in December (and doing so every day, continuously) and then doing the chakra meditations, I have felt SO ALIVE!! This past winter – Dec 21 to Mar 21 – was the first time in my adult life (perhaps all my life!) that I can recall not getting sick with a cold or the flu – or even the headaches I used to get 2-3 times per month. I was sad when, two weeks ago, I got an intense headache starting in my third-eye area, and again last week. But now you have me wondering if all the energy is starting to coalesce and manifest. I have been doing kundalini meditations in the evenings, too, where I imagine the energy shooting up from my roots to my crown. It’s just funny the timing of all this…
As for Venezuela…yeesh. I have heard about that, about Central America…and I have to “filter” it, otherwise the brunt of the suffering will land on my shoulders. But I will do as you say and keep an eye on Venezuela…pobrecitos.
I think letting yourself rest like you have is really good. Sleep and rest are the best ways to alleviate stress, followed by meditation. You’re in a high frequency realm, my friend. And so you are particularly sensitive. Honor where you are (as I know you do) and trust the journey/process. You are on a special path.
I hope you’ve had a good week. Sending you loads of love and hugs and can’t wait to read more of your thoughts. 🤗🤗😂
I think once you embark upon the pathway we begin to see how we can influence our health by our state of minds.. It really is all about mind over matter. Our third eye chakra I think during this particular ‘Time of Planetary Changes’ is opening up more with the frequencies penetrating the earths atmosphere. My own third eye has ached all week for no particular reason.
You will find that your exercises in Qi Gong or Chi Kung, will also bring about health benefits. So I am not surprised you have noticed a difference.
Have a wonderful weekend Cynthia..
Take care and much love your way my friend. <3 🙂
Sue, oh my gosh, you are so right! It is mind over matter. I saw a Gaia commercial (hehe) that talked about how we all have no idea the mind potential we have when it comes to being creators of our world and reality. And well, I’ve read enough things that support this statement. Zingdad mentions this concept, too. I think a lot of us have blocked pineal glands and if we can figure out how to remove those blocks, the sky is the limit. I guess our ancestors didn’t have this block and that’s one reason they were so much more intuitive and in touch than we are now. Granted, I’m going off speculation and third-party info here, but still…it would seem that you don’t have to extrapolate too much when it comes to matters of the mind and heart. Just look at the things we can do with love. 🙂
I am at once sorry that you’ve had this third eye ache, but also fascinated at your beautiful connection to energy. You are truly a gem, sweet friend. Take care of yourself.
The chi kung I have been doing I have learned from a book. I haven’t shared it here, yet, partly because there is so much to it, and partly because I want to see what happens when I practice it for awhile. I’m noticing some detoxing going on. I was reading that it’s better to have an instructor, but this is such a specific form (Zhan Zhuang), that I don’t want to just go to anyone who wouldn’t necessarily understand what I’m trying to do. I know it can be a little dangerous when it comes to channeling our energy, but I figure if I maintain integrity, listen to my body, and really work on settling the mind, I should be all right. And…maybe I’ll continue to see if I can find a teacher to help. Hehe. But so far, the difference is amazing. It’s subtle and it builds slowly that it’s almost imperceptible. It’s kind of like meditation. You don’t know quite how much it has helped until…bam, one day you just know and can see a profound difference. That’s also what I’m experiencing with these exercises I’m doing. I crashed on my bike a couple weeks ago, and I am not exaggerating when I say that without the chi kung, I think it would have been much worse. I felt my internal power kick in to pad my fall, to cushion my body, and to aid in the healing. I was pretty banged up, but I healed quickly, and I think it’s the training that I’ve been doing. I’m not exactly a spring chicken anymore (more like a summer one, giggle) and the bones don’t bend and flex like they once did. But I swear they DID when I was going 30mpg and crash and was all tangled up in my bike…
Ah well, life. I love our conversations! I hope you have a wonderful week and as soon as I get a chance, I’ll see what you responded over at your site. Big hugs! xoxp
Sorry to hear that you had a nasty tumble, but were cushioned by your internal power.. and yes Qi Gong does that. and would have helped in the shock to the system, and your healing. Sounds like you had a lucky escape …
Life is good, I am going with the flow of it all right now dear Cynthia, We had our granddaughter a couple of days as her school has broke up for two weeks for the Easter break.. So we took her into the country my old haunts of Derbyshire Dales and my old village, plus we went to a well known Farm Park there, she loved it..
So did we.. When she is here I don’t go on the internet..
My internal clock is ticking faster, as days speed by, and my body clock is slowing down, so that I need more and more sleep..
I follow certain Spiritual sites and my symptoms mirror many others who are finding they are sleeping more, and I instinctively know that these patterns are coinciding with our Earths energies that are hitting our planet.
Iast night I went to bed at 7pm.. and slept 12 hours.. I think I may be making up for all my nocturnal nights of the past lol.. when I would be awake for hours at a time.. 🙂
I have also been trying to brave the ‘Cold Showers’ we spoke of on a different comment.. 🙂 I shower at normal temps first then give myself a one minute blast of cold, until it takes my breath.. I am hoping the combination of breathing technique ect will help energise me.. I have been trying to write a post for a couple of weeks explaining just how I have been feeling and why.. But each time I sit to continue, especially when I sit for longer periods on the laptop, Tiredness sweeps in and I can’t be bothered so turn off and shut it down..
I am always one for following feelings, so I am just going with the flow of it all at the moment..
I have so much internal information I wish to share to the world.. Yet how to go about putting it all into words and perspective is difficult, because it sounds so weird.. But I trust all will come together when its meant to.. So I just log into WP when I feel the urge..
And that urge is getting less and less right now..
How do you warn people that they are living with blinkers on, and that events you know are on the horizon both globally and planetary are going to have extreme effects upon their lives . When I cannot even explain it to my family.. Whom I wish to protect.. Yet know we are each on our own particular journey of Free Will and experience..
Its something I am juggling with at the moment..
So I tune out, switch off and pick up my knitting or go into the allotment and dig.. or play swing ball and barbies with my granddaughter lol.. We have lots of fun in our imaginary worlds.. And we make lots of things for barbie lol..
Yesterday we were doing new hairstyles, and we made a hair dressing salon.. so we were curling straight hair and washing and shampooing lol.. Great fun.. <3
Ok enough of me and my ramblings.. Much love my friend..
Thank YOU for your love and friendship Cynthia.. I value our friendship. <3
Sue, I LOVE your ramblings! I’m sorry that sometimes it takes a minute to get back to you, though. Working and balancing all the things, I have to block off time to do comments and sometimes I get immersed in all the things.
About the tumble: I so agree. I still feel like I was cushioned. It’s so incredible and interesting: I FEEL this energy and it’s kind of amazing. But, I’m reluctant to say too much on here so far because I have no training in it: so far I’ve just used books and I know if you don’t do exactly what they tell you, you can mess with your own chi. In fact, I was doing some kundalini visualization a couple weeks ago while doing the standing chi kung and began to feel really nauseated. I stopped immediately and immediately felt better. This energy stuff is just incredible how it all manifests.
You need more sleep these days? Oh, friend, I LOVE to sleep. But I also hear you. The energies of this world…wowza. And I have not forgotten about the things you have told me of your dreams and meditations…
And you sharing that info. Well…you know, those in the world with the gift of dimensional vision: I feel that they will be the beacons to lead us when times get rough. You inspire me to work on my own visioning, dear friend. You are incredible!
I think of…what was it…Machiavelli, with the people living in a cave? Zingdad references people living in a cave, too. Those who would get out and move toward the light…it’s too much to bear. But those “light people” can serve as a beacon to those who wake up to it. At least that’s what my mind thinks. I know I have a long way to go in my own journey. I catch myself judging, falling into emotions, being too numb to block everything out, dealing with the issues that have followed me since childhood…but at least all this meditation makes me hyper-aware of all this.
The cold-showers. My meditation teacher first told me of these in my training last year. And I tried a couple times. Always being cold, it is really challenging to immerse myself in the coldness…he said to work on it at the start of winter – when the temps are at their coldest, but…whew…this is one challenge I will have to continue to work on. I have not taken a cold shower since October, though I know well the benefits. As Wim Hof says, the “cold is the teacher.” Whew.
I hope your knitting and allotments are going well. I’ll have to check out your garden blog.
Sending you hugs, dear friend, and wishes for a wonderful week! xoxo
Hi C! You explain well how to take care of our energy center, which will in turn help us receive and give positive energy. We must care for ourselves before we can help others and I feel the need to care for my core this weekend. HUGS for you and family xo
Christy – aww, thank you! And thank you so much for the shares across media channels. I so appreciate you! As for the energy centers, the research I’m doing and all the meditations I’m creating, I’m learning more and more about these energy centers, but also how beneficial it is to give them attention. It’s pretty profound, no? And you’re right: in order to care for others, we must take time to care for ourselves. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Sending you big hugs and lots of love! xo