“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word meaning “Wheel”. They are regularly depicted as spinning, coloured wheels of energy. The first recorded writings about chakras originates in India around 1500B.C. and in west it was introduced by Sir John Woodroffe in early 20th century.
“Chakras” are the energy centers within our bodies that helps to regulates all processes of our body from organ function to the immune system and our emotions. There are seven chakras and are positioned throughout our body, starting from base of spine to the crown of our head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency, color and governs specific functions in our body. Balancing these energy centers keeps our psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual energy balanced.
Root Chakra
Root chakra is the first chakra and is also known as “Muladhara” Chakra in Sanskrit. It is the base of all chakra. The word Muladhara breaks down into two Sanskrit words: Mula meaning “root” and Adhara, which means “support” or “base.” It is located at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor, and the first three vertebrae at the pelvic plexus, the root chakra is the first of our energy centers and forms the basis and the starting point for our development. It establishes the deepest connections with our physical body, our environment and with the Earth.
The energy provided by root chakra allows us to harness courage, resourcefulness and the will to live during hard times. So, it is important to balance the root chakra first, lacking so will imbalance our personal growth and physical transformation. Balancing the root chakra creates the solid foundation for opening the chakras above. Imagine that you’re laying the foundation for a house in which you’re going to live for a long time.
Root chakra symbol
The symbol of the root chakra is composed of a four-petaled lotus flower, often seen as a circle with four petals with a downward-pointing triangle.
What if there is Imbalance in the Root Chakra?
Root chakra may fall out of balance or become blocked due to the everyday stressors of life, as well as unexpected hardship, difficulties in relationships, fear and anxiety, and any number of other things that life may throw at us. For a person who has imbalance in the first chakra, it might be hard to feel safe in the world and everything looks like a potential risk.
At the emotional level, the deficiencies or imbalance in the first chakra are related to:
· Excessive negativity, cynicism
· Eating disorders
· Greed, avarice
· Illusion
· Excessive feeling of insecurity, living on survival mode constantly
And in this imbalance in the root chakra you may experience anxiety disorders, fears, scarcity mindset or nightmares. Physical imbalances may manifest as problems in the colon, with the bladder, with elimination, or with lower back, leg, or feet issues or issues with the parasympathetic nervous system. In men, prostate problems may occur.
How to Balance Root Chakra?
There are plenty of ways that can bring balance to the root chakra. From yoga, asanas, root chakra meditation to singing bowl therapy. For one thing, physical exercise and moving the body can have a powerful effect on the root chakra. Specifically, yoga poses and asanas like child’s pose, lotus, triangle pose, and garland pose can help. But for quick and steady balance of root chakra singing bowl therapy is considered best.
The sound frequency of 396Hz or singing bowl with musical note "C" is considered to remove the blockage and balance root chakra. Each Singing Bowl in a set of 7 Set Chakra Singing bowl has separate bowl associated with each chakra of human body and the sound frequency is perfectly matched as per chakra. Not only sound frequency, singing bowl produce a powerful vibration too, this toned vibration also helps to open the blockage in chakra centres. Our various mental states and emotions are related to specific Chakra sound frequencies. When exposed long enough to a resonant Chakra sound frequency, the Chakras will be brought into balance. This is the reason why Singing bowl therapy has been practiced by Monks in Buddhist monasteries and Hindu Yogis from 1500 B.C.
Root Chakra Sound Meditation
If you feel there is imbalance in your root chakra, you can perform following combined practice of sound healing and meditation.
· Wear a bracelet made of Red Jasper or Bloodstone or Red carnelian.
· Place a Root Chakra Singing bowl in the palm of your left hand and a mallet in your right hand.
· Sit in a cushion with your spine straight. Try to relax all your muscles as you close your eyes and breathe deeply. Inhale through the nose, pulling the breath as far down into your body as you can, and exhale through the mouth.
· Turn your attention to the location of the root chakra, right below your tailbone. Notice any tightness in the area.
· Since the root chakra’s element is red, try picturing a red glow at the base of your spine. And at a same time play a root chakra singing bowl either by rubbing the rim of the bowl or gently hitting on the rim.
· Alternatively, you could also recite the Root Chakra mantra as "LAM" with the same scale as you Singing Bowl is Singing. Try to be one with the bowl when singing.
· Keep picturing the red glow at the base of the spine and relax your body on the sound produced by Chakra singing bowl. The glow will slowly expand, making the whole area warm and relaxed. Perform this sensation for 3-5 minutes.
· When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes. Sit for a few minutes before continuing with your day.
Other tips to Balance Root Chakra
· Hang either Red Tara Thangka or Amitabha Thangka on the sacred area of your home and perform either Root Chakra yoga or Root Chakra Meditation.
· Wear Red Jasper or Bloodstone Bracelet on daily basis.
· Eat protein rich foods like beans, tofu, green peas, spinach, almonds or red foods like strawberries, cherries, tomatoes and red bell peppers or root vegetables like beets, garlic, and potatoes or any other bright red colored foods.
· Wear red color clothes.
· Have a 7 chakra human thangka painting in your house and practice meditation.
· Burn essence oils made form Cedarwood, Patchouli or Myrrh.
· Practicing the above methods/technique on SATURDAY specially to heal and balance the root chakra.
