Balance Your Chakras Series – First Chakra

Chakras and how they work are fascinating. Enjoy this series of six blogposts sharing the most important information about our energy centers. I also share my suggestions for yoga poses in order to get more balance in your chakras.

Let’s begin with the first chakra!

Located at the base of the spine, the first chakra is about survival and its physical sense is smell.  This is the center where we ground ourselves and take care of our basic needs.  Chakra one is concerned with all matters of security, safety and support, food, clothing, shelter, and the basics that keep us warm and safe.

When the root chakra is balanced, one has good energy, feels “rooted”, secure and that the world is a safe place.  Having healthy body awareness and practicing yoga postures grounds our first chakra energy and reconnects us to that place within us that feels supported by a bigger divine force.

Some of the issues relevant to this energy center, in addition to one’s relationship with the earth, are one’s relationship to one’s family and community, stability and fear that personal growth will mean alienation from one’s group.

If the first chakra is weak, the entire energetic system is at risk.  Taking responsibility for oneself is the key to releasing the shadow or victim side of this chakra.  For example, when I make the choice not to validate my ticket on public transportation, justifying that I am running late, circumstance of outside intervention like authorities explaining that in order to ride I must validate my ticket and I try to justify my excuse, I undergo a loss of power.  When I decide to wake up and take responsibility for my actions and even thank those around me for reminding me that I am in charge of my life, I am enhancing the nurturing mother archetype to flourish and the result is always a regain of balance and power.

If chakra one is imbalanced, we may have a tendency to hoard things.  To counter balance this, you can release yourself of attachment by giving away clothes, food, and perform acts of kindness.

When the root chakra is imbalanced, our energy may be attached to emotional or childhood trauma, poor dietary habits and substance abuse.  One may feel a lack of energy, resistance to change and the need to slow down.  It is interesting to note that teenagers who often are looking for more direction enjoy wearing black because this color actually does strengthen this chakra’s grounding energy (though the natural color of the first chakra is red).

Unblocking this chakra and regaining balance can be achieved with time and dedication to positive thinking, meditation, physical exercise, improved diet and practicing yoga.  Eating slowly and enjoying the experience of eating will decrease stress as well as adequate rest for the body and mind.

A balanced first chakra indicates that we trust in the natural flow of life like a dance. A great affirmation for the first chakra is that all is well.  This world is a tremendous source of well-being.  I am in touch with this truth and trust in myself and release my fears accordingly.

Suggested Yoga Postures: Dead Frog, Vira 1 and 2, Triangle, Pigeon, and happy baby!

Color: Red

Element: Earth

Would you like to read the whole Balance Your Chakra Series?

Second Chakra

Third Chakra

Fourth Chakra

Fifth Chakra

Sixth Chakra

An excerpt from my new book “Tantra Living: A Yogini’s Companion for Happiness”.