The 1st Chakra, or root chakra is the foundation of our system. This root chakra, known in Sanskrit as Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine.It relates to the Earth(prithvi), our feeling of being grounded and our sense of security. It is the building block of all the other chakras-built from the bottom or “foundation” up. The root chakra governs your most basic survival needs like it controls how you deal with family, money, basic needs, and survival.
Thw physical location of Muladhara Chakra is at the perineum, at the base of the spine between the coccyx, pubic bone and sitting bone.
Element: Earth
Color: Red
Sense: Smell
Force: Gravity
Areas of the body: Bones; Feet; Legs; Elimination system; Immune system
Mudra: Earth bandha: Mula
Mantra: “I am safe.”
When unbalanced/ blocked it can manifest in additive behavior Intimacy avoidance, Self Centeredness Distrustful, fearful Workaholsim, driven by lack of self worth . And in health issues like constipation, hemorrhoids, obesity, sciatica, low back pain, bulimia Feeling: out of control, unable to make decisions, financial irresponsibility, family problems
When balanced/not blocked can manifest in Valuing oneself. One can have self confidence and able to trust. One shall never be afraid of change. One will to be in the present movement and to trust the universe. He/She will able to learn from adversity, feel secure and feel grounded.
Types of asana that balance the root chakra:
Mountain pose, Seated Forward Fold, Staff pose, Bridge pose, Cobblers pose, Boat pose, Sun Salutations(सुर्य नमस्कार), Childs pose, Wind Release Pose, Hero pose, Chair pose, Splits, Hindi Squat, Cow Faces pose and Swan Pose.
The Law of Karma governs the first energy center. On the physical plane, every action you perform results in a corresponding reaction. To maximize the possibility that your actions generate evolutionary reactions, you can use your body as a choice-determining instrument. Consider the possibilities in front of you and listen to the signals from your body. These sensations generating from the root chakra are either comfortable or uncomfortable.
Your body evaluates every possible decision in terms of its likelihood to meet your needs for safety or increase the level of threat you experience. The first chakra, which connects you with the earth, provides essential information as to the potential nourishment or toxicity that is available to you as a result of the actions you are taking. Keeping energy open and flowing in this source chakra is key to both physical and emotional abundance.
The color for this energy center is red. It is associated with the element earth and the sense of smell. The mantra for the first chakra is Lam.