Rituals to balance the root chakra (muladhara)

It’s time to meet your root chakra…

The root chakra, also known as the base chakra or muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. It’s our direct link to the earth, to primal energy and when in balance it helps us feel grounded and secure. A healthy energetic balance in this chakra fills us with a deep sense of safety and wellbeing. Ahhh, all is good in our world!

As the foundation of the chakra system all higher chakras or energy centres depend on it’s powerful, grounded energy. This strong foundation is essential to our growth and necessary to access high states of consciousness and enhance intuition.

What’s it’s purpose?

Energetically, our most basic survival instincts are found within the root chakra. It sustains us during emergency situations, intense stress and burnout.

It also filters out stagnant or negative energy from our chakra system. When you’re connected to the earth through your root chakra you’re able to release this tension and negativity and draw upon the supportive energy of the earth.

You may not have realised it but this is why things like walking barefoot on the ground help you feel more relaxed, like you can take a big inhale and an even bigger exhale. Ahhhhh!

The earth has a powerful electromagnetic field, let your body pull energy up from the earth. Scientific studies have been conducted on ‘earthing’. The earth emits negative ions, which have a really positive impact. Get those shoes off!

How will I know if my root chakra is out of balance?

When in balance we feel safe, protected, stable and secure. We embody the idea that what’s meant for us will come to us. We love being outside and connecting with nature and have a strong connection to our physical body. We’re able to set healthy boundaries easily. Happy days!

If our root chakra is over active, we might feel:

• Angry, a lot. And very frown-y and grouchy.

• Like we need to hold on to things, worried that we don’t have enough or need more, more more.

• We might also have a tendency to eat more than our hunger cues are telling us we need to.

If our root chakra is under active, we might feel:

• Flighty, spacey, anxious and on edge.

• Like our mind is incredible over active, churning, racing and looping thoughts. Hello, insomnia!

• Disconnected from our body.

• Like we can’t focus or get anything finished.

Hurry up and get to the good stuff! What can I do to balance my root chakra?

The answer: So many wonderful things!

• Try our Feel & Flow Flower Elixir Ground Me. This fusion of flower essences & reiki energy as been created specifically for balancing root chakra energy.

• As already mentioned, kick off your shoes go barefoot, even if just for a short time. I like to walk barefoot on the grass when I take my dog for a walk. Try it! Especially after a day at work or day where your mind has been racing. It’s been a quirky conversation starter at times too!

• Grounding Meditation. Amazing for when feelings of anxiety may be buzzing or worries may be loop de looping. Insight Timer is a free meditation app with many different grounding meditations which I love.

  • Though, it can be as simple as:

    • Closing your eyes and taking a few moments to notice your breath, letting the thoughts come and go.

    • Send your breath down deep into your belly and extend your exhales.

    • Visualise a favourite nature spot, let your imaginative run wild, make it lush!

    • Visualise root chakra energy anchoring to the earth, ask the earth to hold you and give you strength. Stay like this and continue to breathe comfortably for as long as you like. When you’re ready to end your meditation thank the earth for her energy and strength.

  • Work with crystals. As crystals come from the earth they are incredible at helping to connect to the earth to balance the root chakra. Wear them, carry them, meditate with them. Basically make friends with crystals! Your best mates for grounding, protection and balance are:

    • Hematite

    • Black tourmaline

    • Smokey quartz

    • Garnet

  • Embrace essential oils. Earthy scents are your go-tos for balancing root chakra energy. Think pine, cypress or patchouli.

  • Eat chocolate or make yourself a hot cocao. Perhaps I should have put at the top of the list, who knew it was this easy?!

  • Exercise. There’s no rules, sun saluations, dancing, walking, tai chi, just get into your body.

  • Massage. Treat yourself to a foot massage while you’re relaxing on the couch or massage a beautiful body oil into your skin after a shower.

  • Mantras can also be a wonderful way to focus on grounding. You might like to try: “The earth supports me.” “I have everything I need.” “I am centered, I am strong.”