Root Chakra 101: Healing, Stones, and Yoga Poses

The Root chakra is the first and basic chakra in our energetic system. We talked about the basics of chakras in our Chakra 101 article, and here we will look more deeply at the root chakra meaning. We also take a look at the symptoms of a root chakra imbalance, and how to support healing with yoga poses, stones, essential oils, affirmations, meditation, and more. 

The Sanskrit name for the first chakra is Muladhara, which means root or support (Mula – root and adhara – base, foundation). Its symbol is a ruby red lotus flower with four petals.  As the foundation for all other energy centers, it’s considered one of the most important chakras, as an imbalance can throw all other chakras off-kilter. This is the place many energy workers begin their work – at the root because it stabilizes the other chakras. 

The Root chakra is associated with existential instincts, such as the primary instinct for survival, food, home security, and family affiliation. It’s connected with the unconscious part of the mind, where the experiences of past lives are stored. It’s believed that in this chakra is sublimated the total energy potential of a human – sexual, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

This chakra connects us to the energy of our planet and Mother Earth and also deals with our material world and the sense of security in that world.

Where is the root chakra?

The Root chakra is located at the bottom of the tail bone. Legs are included in this chakra’s physical location, as a stable supporting structure of the body and its movement. Feet are also included, as they are in direct contact with the ground. In yoga, we often talk about grounding down through our feet and lifting up through the rest of our bodies. 

Masculine sexual energy resides in the Root Chakra, while the female counterpart resides in the Sacral Chakra. This masculine energy provides an energy of protection and safety. 

Symptoms of a Root Chakra Block or Imbalance 

When the Root Chakra is functioning well, we feel safe and supported. There’s a sense of balance and the ability to move through life peacefully. 

When the Root Chakra is out of alignment, we may physically feel unbalanced, nervous, dizzy, and unstable. There may also be feelings of being stuck, or unable to make progress in life. 

How to open and heal a blocked root chakra

The Root Chakra can be blocked and in need of opening and healing if our basic, elementary needs and our existence is endangered. Opening and balancing the Root chakra creates a solid foundation for opening other chakras. Meditation, affirmations, and yoga are great ways that we will look at next, but there are many other ways to open and heal the Root chakra, for example:

• Wearing a red wardrobe and surrounding yourself with this color, but without exaggeration.
• Going in nature and connecting with nature, walking barefoot on the ground and feeling its support, hugging a tree, and feeling the energy coming from the tree.
• Eating foods rich in protein such as beans, tofu, peas, spinach, and almonds, and red foods automatically affects the root chakra due to its connection with the red color, such as strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, and red peppers, as well as red root vegetables. You may also want to try one of our detox drinks. 

Root Chakra Yoga Poses

In yoga practice, attention should be focused on the stability of the posture, the feeling of connection with the ground below us (feet – if we are standing, bottom – if we are sitting, or torso – if we are lying down). Standing poses focus on the legs and feet, so we improve the general balance and stability, and they are most useful when working with the Root Chakra.

One of my yoga teachers recently pointed out in class that grounding and stability don’t have to mean stillness. Like trees with strong roots, we can be rooted and flexible. 

Appropriate Root Chakra yoga poses stimulate the mentioned parts of the body – adrenal glands, pelvis, spine, legs, and/or feet. 

Some of the best yoga poses for the Root chakra are:

• Accomplished Pose – Siddhasana
• Pigeon pose – Kapotasana
• Tree pose – Vrikshasana
• Happy Baby pose – Ananda Balasana
• Standing forward bend – Uttanasana
• Garland pose – Malasana
• Crescent moon – Anjaneyasana
• Warrior pose – Virabhadrasana
• Mountain pose – Tadasana
• Sun Salutations – Surya Namaskar

Also, we directly stimulate the Root Chakra by practicing Mula Bandha. Practicing Hatha yoga can be great for balancing this chakra, and practicing Restorative yoga or Yin yoga can be excellent for grounding.

Root Chakra Mantra, Affirmations & Meditation

Mantra: LAM

The Mantra or the sound that activates the root chakra is LAM. You can repeat it or listen to it while meditating. It can help clear the blockage and raise your energy.

Meditation 

Meditation connects you to a higher spiritual plane, but in this case, it can also serve to ground you.

Sit comfortably with a straight back. Place the palms on the knees in Prithvi or Gyan Mudra. Relax the muscles and focus on the pelvis. Visualize a red light (or red lotus) at the bottom of your pelvis. Then imagine how the red light gets warmer and brighter, and it spreads across your pelvis, and all around you.

Maintain this visualization and awareness of that red light, the body position, and body contact with the ground. Stay calm and in this position as long as you feel comfortable.

Connecting with your higher self through meditation will give you what you need to feel safe.

Affirmations 

The basic affirmation of the root chakra is: “I am” or “I”. Affirmations we can use to balance this chakra are:

• I am grounded and safe.
• I take responsibility for who I am and how I choose to live my life.
• I get rid of all the doubts and fears that block the way for love and abundance to enter my life.
• I love my body and believe in its wisdom.
• I do the best I can, and I know how to do it.
• I love and respect who I am. I am grateful for life.
• I believe that the universe is a safe and secure place for me. I am always protected and guided. I know I belong here.
• I know that the earth supports me and satisfies my needs.

Best Stones and Crystals for Root Chakra Healing 

Many people enjoy working with crystals for energy healing. There are several ways to do this, from using them on a coffee table as a decoration, setting them on your nightstand, making moon water, and wearing them as jewelry. I love these Energy Gemstone Bracelets for myself and as gifts. 

The best stones and crystals for healing a blocked root chakra include: 

• Black Tourmaline. The most protective stone, place black tourmaline around your home to keep it safe or wear a bracelet for protection. 
• Red Adventurine. This stone is well known for detoxifying and clearing the Root Chakra. It’s also the stone of manifestation and uses earth and fire elements to increase the flow of energy (prana).
• Onyx. Associated with strength and good luck, Onyx is also thought to improve low vibration energy. 
• Red Jasper. Native Americans believed this stone provided strength to warriors and is still associated with battle. 
• Black Obsidian
• Carnelian
• Garnet
• Hematite
• Smoky Quartz

Best Essential Oils & Herbs for Root Chakra Support 

Make your own essential oil blends to add to a bath or wear on your wrists, or use edible herbs to make a tea. 

• Allspice. Brings good fortune. 
• Cedarwood. Grounding and strengthening. 
• Cayenne. Grounding and cleansing. 
• Clove. Associated with safety, protection, and childhood love. 
• Dandelion. Known as highly detoxifying when ingested, it’s also associated with communication with the dead. Try our Dandelion Detox Tea recipe. 
• Rosemary. Purifies stuck energies. 
• Burdock. Boosts strength, prosperity, and positivity. 

We can conclude

That the Root Chakra is perhaps the most important energetic center because everything starts from there. If the energy in the first chakra isn’t balanced, the other chakras won’t be balanced.

Working with the root chakra will greatly benefit us and connects us with the present moment, and that gives us a solid foundation for our further growth and development. Yoga, meditation, affirmations, crystals, and oils can all assist in healing this (and all) chakras. 

References & Further Reading 

Much of the information I’ve learned about chakras has come from yoga classes and books. Here are some of the best books on chakras. These are Amazon Affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them.