The root chakra is the most instinctual of all chakras – it represents your primal, animal nature. This is the first chakra to develop when you enter the world and is influenced by your upbringing.
It can be difficult to trust yourself, which can be a result of childhood trauma. The root chakra can be balanced through healing.
Grounding
The root chakra, also known as the Muladhara, is the first chakra in our body. Located between the perineum and lower spine, it is often considered to be the foundation of our entire chakra system.
When this energy center is balanced, we feel safe, at home within ourselves, and connected to the life force energy that connects us with the earth. When this chakra is imbalanced, we might experience a sense of ungroundedness, lack of self-confidence, or anxiety.
There are many ways to bring the root chakra into balance. Some of the best ways are to meditate, do root chakra balancing practices, and work with crystals that correspond to this energy center.
Meditation is a great practice for all the chakras, but it especially helps with the root chakra. In order to help this chakra heal, Shaktidas recommends visualizing the color red while taking long, slow breaths and chanting the seed sound of “lam.”
Other techniques that can be used for grounding include meditating on the earth’s surface or walking barefoot on soft grass, sand or soil. These nourishing moments can help to recharge, de-stress, detox and improve concentration.
Another helpful way to cleanse your root chakra is to take a bath. This is an underrated root chakra cleanser that can help to bring you into a state of mindful awareness while feeling the warmth and strength of water dripping down your body.
Aside from the obvious benefits of a bath, the most important thing about this technique is that it will help to bring you back into your present moment. This can be incredibly helpful for those who find themselves becoming overwhelmed or distracted by distressing memories, feelings or thoughts.
Practicing a root chakra balancing yoga sequence can also be helpful for this energy center, says Brunius. A root chakra tune-up practice will focus on stretches that strengthen the feet, legs and pelvic floor.
The root chakra also relates to our sense of belonging and being grounded in the world. When this chakra is balanced, we feel comfortable and stable, and are more likely to have a strong connection to the people around us.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a fundamental aspect of our identity. Everyone has ups and downs in their thoughts and feelings about themselves as a result of changes in their circumstances. However, for people with poor self-esteem these ups and downs are much more significant.
A person with low self-esteem will often feel unworthy and have difficulty trusting others. They may also be unable to express their needs and emotions. This can lead to a variety of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
When a person has high self-esteem they will have a positive image of themselves and have the confidence to try new things. They will also have an understanding that failure is a necessary part of learning and progressing.
One of the most important ways to build your self-esteem is to give back. Volunteer for a good cause, tutor a child or help out in your community. Doing something for other people will help you to become more confident in your own abilities and will show that you are good at what you do.
Another way to increase your self-esteem is to take care of yourself. Make sure you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. Avoid junk food, sugar and saturated fats and focus on eating more vegetables and fruits.
If you are someone who has a hard time dealing with your own negative thoughts and feelings, consider seeking some professional assistance from a therapist or psychologist. They can help you to identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that have developed in your mind and then help you to change them.
In addition, a therapist can work with you to determine why your low self-esteem has developed and whether it is linked to other issues such as bullying or abuse. They can also provide advice on treatment options, including psychotherapy (in-person or online), medication or a combination of these.
Self-esteem is a complex subject that requires a lot of attention and practice to build up. A good place to start is by identifying the thoughts and beliefs that affect your confidence, then working on changing them. You can do this by examining your current thinking patterns and then practicing mindfulness to notice when you think negatively about yourself.
Self-love
Self-love is the foundation of all healthy relationships. It's the key to earning respect, love, and appreciation from others. If you aren't able to love yourself fully, it's almost impossible for you to show up in the world as someone who is worth loving and respecting.
When you're high in self-love, it's much easier to be the best version of yourself and make decisions that are aligned with your core values. This means that you're more likely to take care of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.
You're more likely to practice self-compassion, which can help reduce your risk of anxiety and depression. You're also more likely to feel confident and self-assured, which can increase your overall well-being.
One of the most important ways to practice self-love is by being honest and open with yourself. This is a crucial part of healing because it means you're not bottling up feelings of shame or fear in order to avoid feeling vulnerable.
Another important aspect of practicing self-love is by journaling. Taking time to reflect on your life can be a powerful tool for developing your sense of self-worth and celebrating your accomplishments.
This can be done through writing down your daily events and how they made you feel, or by simply sharing them with others. Practicing this with friends or family is an excellent way to build your connection with them while strengthening your self-love.
As a bonus, you'll be more likely to notice when you're acting from a place of pain or discomfort and take steps to change your behavior. This can be an invaluable skill in helping you heal from past trauma or depression.
If you are struggling with self-love, it's a good idea to seek out professional help. Having a trained therapist is one of the most effective and compassionate ways to address self-defeating patterns and learn new, positive ways of interacting with yourself.
It's important to remember that self-love is a process that takes time to develop. It may be challenging at first, but it's ultimately worth it for the peace of mind it can bring.
Relationships
The root chakra, also known as the muladhara, relates to your foundation; your sense of safety and security. It is connected to your fundamental physical and emotional needs, including hunger, thirst and shelter.
A blocked root chakra can lead to feelings of isolation, disconnection from your true self, and a lack of feeling safe in the world. It may also be linked to feelings of trauma or mistrust. Physiological imbalances at this chakra can manifest in the colon, bladder, low back, legs and feet.
One of the most important things you can do to balance your root chakra is to set aside quality time for yourself. This can include meditation, exercise, art, writing, reading, cooking, yoga, spending time in nature and more.
Another helpful way to heal your root chakra is to use essential oils. “Muladhara is the most instinctual chakra, so using something that is natural, like sandalwood, eucalyptus, or cedarwood will help soothe your nerves and balance the energy in your root,” says Ravelo.
In addition, she recommends giving yourself a full-body massage with warm oil. You can do this yourself or ask a loved one to do it for you.
You can also do a visualization exercise to open and balance your root chakra. Start by imagining a bright red glowing orb at the base of your spine, as you breathe in.
This will help your root chakra to connect with the grounding energy of Earth. You can then go out into nature, letting your bare feet touch the ground and focusing on your roots, your foundation.
Finally, you can meditate and focus on your root chakra, allowing it to open and heal as you connect with the healing energy of the Earth. You can also practice gratitude for the resources in your life that make you feel secure and stable.
A balanced and healed root chakra will allow you to be grounded, centered and calm no matter what is going on in your outer world. It will also allow you to have a firm foundation for your dreams and hopes.