The Root Chakra is an energetic center in the body. It is located at the base of the torso in the physical body. The Sanskrit word for the root chakra is Muladhara. Mula means ‘root’ and Adhara means ‘support’.

The energy of the root chakra pertains to our most basic needs in the world-security, support, shelter, and sustenance. The root chakra correlates with the earliest phase of development-from the womb through the first year of life. The root chakra is the energy of the skeletal structure and blood in the physical body and our sense of security and belonging in the emotional body.

Fears and anxieties arise from imbalances in the root chakra. Often root chakra imbalances stem from early childhood experiences, and whether our needs were met and we felt secure.

Our ability to trust-ourselves, others, and reality at large-comes from a balanced Muladhara.

Back pain, financial anxieties, constipation/incontinence, or nightmares are all physical manifestations of Muladhara imbalance.

The nose and sense of smell are directly connected to the root chakra, so incense and essential oils are particularly effective in creating a calmed and grounded sense in the root chakra.

Other exercises and practices for balancing Muladhara are seated yoga poses, malasana (garland pose), and hiking in nature or gardening. If you can walk barefoot outdoors, it’s especially grounding to connect to the electromagnetic energy of the earth. Earth Juju energy is predominant in the root chakra.