Wk 173 – Subtle Body – Chakras – 1. Muladhara Chakra

As we explored last week that the three main Nadis – Ida, Pingala and the Sushumna. The chakra system is believed to consist of seven main energy centres, each located along the central channel of the body, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.

The Muladhara Chakra, often referred to as the Root Chakra in the yogic traditions. It is located at the base of the spine, at the pelvic floor. The Muladhara Chakra is considered the foundation of the chakra system, and it is associated with various characteristics and aspects. The physical location is at the base of the spine at the pelvic floor. It is sometimes depicted as facing downward, symbolising its connection to the earth. The Muladhara Chakra is often represented as a four-petaled lotus flower, which symbolises purity, growth, and the unfolding of spiritual potential. Each petal is associated with a different Sanskrit letter which is believed to vibrate with the energy of the Earth element, emphasising the grounding and stabilising qualities of this chakra. It usually is shown with a red square at its centre suggesting a strong base, red being the colour of earth and within it a downward facing triangle which represents the feminine shakti or prakiti nature of this chakra. This all emphasising its role as the foundational support of the other chakras.

In some representations, a lingam, which is a phallic symbol representing the divine masculine energy of Lord Shiva, is placed at the centre of the Muladhara Chakra. Kundalini, the divine feminine is depicted as a coiled serpent wrapped 3.5 times around the Lingam. This represents the potential for spiritual awakening and transformation associated with this chakra.

As Muladhara is the abode of the Prithvi Tattva or the Earth element there are a few things that are associated to it. The seed (or bija) mantra for the Earth element in the Muladhara Chakra is “LAM.” Chanting this mantra is believed to help balance and activate the chakra. The hand or Hasta Mudra is Prithvi Mudra which connects the thumb (fire element) to the tip of the ring finger (earth element).

The sense organ associated with the chakra is the sense of smell, which I welcome you to connect in practice to the earth smells to emphasis this connection. 

The elephant is often associated with the Muladhara Chakra. It serves as a powerful symbol connecting you with strength, stability, grounding, wisdom, family or community, protection and a strong connection to the earth. 

The elemental function of Muladhara governs our sense of safety, security and basic survival needs. It relates to issues of physical health, financial stability, trust and a sense of belonging. The psychological and emotional characteristics is all about self-preservation or self-survival. That you have the right to be here, to take up space, to be safe, to have the life you have. When balanced, it fosters a sense of grounded-ness, trust, self-assuredness, optimum health and the ability to meet one’s basic needs. 

Chakras are said to be ‘closed’ in waking states and ‘open’ in meditative states. What we work with in asana, is the imbalance that shows as Brahma Granthi. An overactive or Rajasic Root Chakra can lead to fear of pain, restlessness, anxiety, spaciness or feeling ungrounded and an excessive focus on security at the expense of other aspects of life resulting in manic obsession with materialism and greed. Conversely, an under-active or Tamasic Root Chakra may result in feelings of imbalance expressed as the fear of death, loss, change which becomes attach to hoarding, insecurity due to scarcity and feel threatened causing instability within ourselves and with how we relate to life around us.

Balancing and harmonising the Muladhara Chakra is seen as an important step in the overall well-being and spiritual growth of an individual. A yoga practice emphasis poses that focus on the lower body, pelvis and the digestive system, we strengthen our body like the structures that the earth creates yet we work with flexibility like the soil in which can nurture the seeds of prosperity and good health. It is also recommended that we carve out time to rest in the body after practice in savasana and use grounding meditations to connect to the root chakra.

This approach to practice is said to provide a stable foundation upon which the higher chakras can be balanced and aligned.