Getting Grounded: The Root Chakra
The Root Chakra is the energy center located at the base of the spine. It is associated with our physical body, our sense of safety and well-being, basic needs, feeling grounded, and foundation or support in our lives. It is the “I am” of your body and soul. If it is blocked or unbalanced, one may feel physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual effects.
Physically: blocked, closed or imbalanced root chakra can cause ailments in your blood, teeth and bones, arms, legs, adrenal glands, kidneys, bladder and urinary tract system, and bowels, low back pain, and financial problems.
Emotionally: a feeling of insecurity, cynicism, irritability, irrational fears which can lead to greed and paranoia, anxious, depressed, excessively negative thoughts.
Mentally: constant feeling of un-ease, not feeling safe and secure, focusing on worst-case scenarios, scattered, apathetic, indecisive.
Spiritually: feeling lost or without purpose, feeling disconnected from the world and other people, constantly questioning the meaning of life.
When the Root Chakra is open and balanced you will feel secure, peaceful, grounded, and stable. Your body functions well internally. You attract financial security. You are not operating from a space of panic or greed, but safety and having enough. You are firm in your place in life and make decisions easily. All your basic needs are met. You are rooted in the present moment.
People often ask me how I stay so grounded and seemingly unbothered by things. It’s a sincere compliment, especially given that it’s a more recent development in my life. As I sit here on my deck listening to the birds chirping and take in the fresh air and sunshine, I find it’s easy to be “grounded”. I am experiencing nature at her finest and living in the moment. This moment is perfection – and I’m soaking it all in. The trick is to take this feeling into the not-so-perfect moments which take up most of each day. What are some simple steps each of us can take to experience an open and balanced root chakra?
Because the Root Chakra is associated with the colors red and black – start there. When you dress in the morning, choose red (or black) clothing with intention to open and activate your root. Red or black crystals, such as carnelian, red jasper, tourmaline, onyx, ruby, or garnet are good to wear, hold, or put in your pocket. Eat berries: blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cherries! Eat beets (and other root vegetables), kidney beans, black beans, and red meat. Foods that nourish your body will nourish your energetic field.
Go outside and put your bare feet on the earth. If you don’t live where you can put your feet in the grass or sand(or the weather isn’t cooperating), put your hand on a tree, or dust off your houseplants leaf by leaf (and talk to them!). Take a bath or shower or wash your hands in cold water. Hold a crystal. Physically touch something of the earth.
Do some deep breathing exercises, focusing on the air going deep into your lungs and what it feels like to expel the old air. Put yourself into the moment. Realize that as you breath in and out that you are safe in this moment. Put your hand on your heart and feel it calm down as you do more breaths. As you breathe, think the words “safe” on the inhale and “belong” on the exhale.
Angels are glad to help get you into alignment, and as you may have guessed, asking them for help (praying) immediately increases your vibration and strenthens your root chakra. Your Guardian Angel ‘s purpose is to help you live out your soul’s path and purpose and always a good one to ask when you’re feeling off-kilter.
Sometimes all our best efforts aren’t quite enough. Then it’s time to book a session with someone who specializes in chakra healing and balancing: Reiki, Vibrational Sound Therapy, Healing Touch, Acupuncture or Accupressure, Quantum Healing, and Cranial Sacral Therapy to name a few. There are several options, and I like to get regular tune-ups from certified professionals. I also think my daily self-reiki practice helps me immensely. It’s a big reason I like teaching reiki to others. For less than than the cost of two sessions with me, you can become certified in Reiki I and do self-treatments and partake in reiki shares. How empowering is that?! Feel secure knowing that you don’t have to suffer.
