The first thing the word 'root' brings up in our mind is a plant or tree firmly tethered to the soil. Even the human body is balanced on the ground employing 7 wheels of energy termed Chakras. This wheel-like energy centre in the human body is said to be the foundational seat on which the entire chakra system depends. These Chakras are all located in one line right from the head to the base of the spine and are connected to the body's various organs and tissues. Even if one of these chakras is out of balance, it often impacts the organ it is related to, causing severe anomalies throughout the body. And then again, when it is awakened through chanting, meditation, and yoga postures, it often uplifts the overall well-being of the individual.

Also Read: Chakras: Know How These Wheels of Energy Stimulate Better Bodily Functions and Health

This week, as a part of the 7 series on the different Chakras and how to open them, let us talk about the base energy point or Root Chakra and yoga poses to awaken and balance this point of energy.

What is The Root Chakra?

Also termed "Muladhara Chakra," the Root chakra is the first point of energy situated right at the base of the spine at the pelvic floor and the first three vertebrae. 'Muladhara' comprises two Sanskrit words, where 'Mula' means "root" and 'Adhara' signifies 'support or base.' 

Just like a firm and strong foundation is required for a house, similarly, by balancing and opening the Root chakra, one creates a solid foundation for opening the other chakras above. 

Element That Root Chakra Governs:

Amongst the Pancha Dhatus or five elements, the Root chakra governs the earth element inside all human beings – all that is solid. This Chakra primarily correlates to your familial roots, your parents or guiding people, your background, how you grew up, and how you deal with the physical world around you.

The Physical Body Connected To Root Chakra:

The Root chakra or Muladhara chakra is connected to the lower back, digestive organs, legs, feet, anus, kidneys, prostate, and adrenal glands.

The Emotional Body Connected To Root Chakra:

The Root Chakra chiefly governs the four primal urges: food, sleep, sex, and self-preservation. 

It affects whether you feel secure, stable, and confident and assists in maintaining a sense of security, humble nature, prosperity, and inner stability.  

The Mental Body Connected To Root Chakra:

A stable Root Chakra influences whether you feel safe and can care for yourself, feel you belong somewhere, appreciate that you are enough and not inferior to others, and feel at ease in your skin. It also enables you to be practical and present in the moment.

The Symbol That Root Chakra Represents:

The Root Chakra is often illustrated as a four-petaled lotus, radiating a pinkish-red aura, and since it is located the base of the spine, it is well connected to the earth element. 

The Mantra That Activates Root Chakra:

It is awakened chiefly or opened by the lavender aroma and by chanting the mantra "Lam" while in meditation.

The Mudra That Awakens Root Chakra:

The root chakra is activated by practicing the Muladhara Mudra. Bring your palms together like a 'Namaste' and place it infront of your heart, then interlace the little and ring fingers so that they fold inside of the palms.

Also Read: Kundalini Yoga: Know How To Awaken The Chakras Of The Body

What Happens If The Root Chakra Is Out Of Balance?

In the physiological aspect of the human body, the root chakra influences the health of the bones, lower digestive functions, excretory functions, prostate and adrenal glands, and sexual activity. An imbalance or irregularity of this chakra often leads to insomnias, lower back pain, sciatica, constipation, tiredness, depression, mood swings, piles, immune-related disorders, obesity, kidney impairment, urinary troubles, and eating disorders.

Without further ado, we bring 5 such postures from the Kundalini Yoga sequence that help you awaken the Root Chakra naturally. 

Balance Your Root Chakra With These Yogasanas

Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)

Stand perpendicular to the floor with your spine straight. Bring both arms and join the palms in a prayer position right before the chest. Now keeping the palms joined, straighten your arms and above your head. Fold your left leg from the knee and bring up the sole of your left foot on the interior side of the right thigh. Try to balance your weight by keeping your left leg straight. Be in the posture as long as possible, relax for a minute, and do it on the other side with your right foot. Repeat in a set of 5 times.

Balasana (Baby Pose)

Keeping your spinal in a straight line, come on all fours. Slowly bend your upper body forward such that your chest and tummy touch the upper surface of both thighs. Keep moving your body forward until your head is stretched beyond the knee and firmly placed on the floor. Straighten either backward or forward, or position both arms on either side of your legs with your palms touching the ground. Hold this stance for 30 seconds, take a break, and repeat.

Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

Sit calmly in a normal meditation pose with your spine straight. Cross one shin on top of the other while bringing each foot beneath the opposite knee. While inhaling, pull your shoulders up to your ears, and while exhaling, pull your shoulders down. Next, bring your head and pelvis in a straight line, creating one long line of energy up and down your vertebral column. While doing the posture, feel a stretch as you elongate your neck, keeping your chin horizontal to the floor and gazing straight. Keep your hands free on your knees with palms open or closed or fingers placed in a Hastha mudra position and chant the mantra 'Lam.'

Malasana (Garland Pose)

Initiate the posture in a comfortable squat position, with thighs wide apart, heels flat on the ground, and feet closer to each other. Breathe in, then extend your body to fit your torso between the thighs. Fold the hands in prayer, and place the elbows on the inner thighs while applying some pressure. Swing your hands, slightly elevate your heels, then slowly return to the initial squat position and relax. Repeat 3 times. 

Tadasana ( Mountain Pose)

Stand perpendicular to the ground, with the feet positioned about an inch apart and the heels touching each other. While keeping the foot always grounded, hold your hands straight on either side of the body or raise them straight above your head in prayer. Look ahead at a point and hold this stance for 60 seconds. Relax and perform the Tadasana 4 more times.

Lie comfortably in the corpse pose for 5-10 minutes to indicate the end of the yoga session, soothe the mind, calm the body, and allow it to soak up the benefits of the complete yoga session.