Getting to the Root of the Base Chakra.

Please be aware that all of the information listed below is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional help from a GP or other health practitioner.

Before we start, if you are unsure about what a chakra is, or would just like to recap, then please check out our previous blog 'An intro into the world of chakras' which goes deeper into the meaning of chakras as a whole - while today's blog focuses specifically on the Root chakra.

The Base Chakra, or Root chakra as it is often known, is located at the base of the spine, and if you were able to see the colours of your chakras, you would see this one glowing a vibrant red colour.

This first chakra is the most physical of the 7 main chakras, and is indicative of your connection to the world around you; your instincts, physical awareness and your need for survival. It affects the way that you feel and interact with the environment around you, the people you surround yourself with, and how safe you feel in your day to day life.

When the root chakra is out of balance it can leave you feeling scared and unsure, and if your parents carried any prejudices and insecurities, they can be passed down to you via this chakra, along with belief systems that are common in your tribe or local community.

The root chakra is formed during the first 7 years of life while we are at our most vulnerable and reliant on the care of those around us. During this time we are learning about the world through our interactions with those adults whose role it is to support us. If we felt safe and supported we would grow to see the world as a safe and supportive place, however, If those care givers were not able to meet our basic needs, then instead of seeing the world as safe and supportive, we might see it as harsh, scary and uncaring. This might then affect the function of our root chakra throughout most of our lives, leaving us in a state of constant survival, causing blockages and an inability to develop the rest of our chakras.

However, there are a number of ways in which blockages can be created and a number of ways in which they can be healed. If you are willing to give the necessary mindfulness, care and attention to the healing of your chakras then you can reach a state of optimal healing both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Lets begin by looking at some of the causes of blockages within the root chakra, and how these manifest as symptoms..

Symptoms of root chakra blockages, and causes..

Some of the more obvious signs that your root chakra is out of balance can include:

• Physical symptoms such as fatigue, anaemia, difficulty sleeping, weight gain/loss, sciatica, lower back issues, irritable bowl syndrome and constipation can be caused by an imbalanced root chakra.

• Emotional symptoms include difficulty in connecting to others, forming strong bonds and lasting relationships, lack of trust in relationships, negativity, and a feeling of not belonging.

• Mental issues surrounding the root chakra can include anxiety, depression, paranoia, erratic behaviour, dissociation, and an inability to focus.

• Other symptoms include existential crisis, financial issues, lack of boundaries, withdrawal from reality, issues regarding stability, safety and ones place in the world, and a loss of faith.

These symptoms can be caused through physical abuse, neglect in early childhood, financial and materialistic issues in early life, abandonment issues, trauma, and a lack of physical exercise. Living through extreme difficulties such as war, famine and natural disasters can all be detrimental to this chakra.

So how can we go about healing our root chakra?

Activities that bring your attention to the body or the physical world in which you live. This can include the following activities.

• Physical exercise. Through running, jogging or hiking. Pilates and yoga, especially paying attention to positions that focus on the legs. Dancing and martial arts.

• Mindfulness and meditation. Such as Affirmations, Body scans,The 5-4-3-2-1 mindfulness technique, Grounding meditations, and Guided visualisation meditations. To find out more about any of these types of meditations click here to see our meditation index. The best root chakra affirmations are ones that focus around safety and stability such as: "I am safe." "I am supported." "I am connected to the world around me."I am abundant." "I am grateful."

• Healing modalities. Including Sound therapy (that focuses on the chakras), Crystal energy healing, Reiki and Colour therapy.

Speaking of colours..

• Dressing in the colour red, wearing red crystals, eating red food including tomatoes, peppers, red meat, drinking red drinks, or drinking any drink from a red bottle or container.
  

If you have found yourself struggling with any of the issues listed in today's blog (and have already ruled out any other issues with a visit to your GP) then please do not worry, for a combination of the above is certain to help you on your way to root chakra healing. Take your time and experiment with what is right for you.

And please remember to reach out to any professional such as a counsellor or GP if your issues are getting too much for you to handle on your own. I hope that this blog has been useful to you and I would love to know what techniques you have found useful on your healing journey.