Part One: The Root Chakra - What is it exactly?

 

 

 

THE ROOT CHAKRA

There are 7 Chakras (in Kundalini Yoga there are 8) that are associated with special aspects of human awareness.  They are energy centers (also called energy vortexes) and when we have blocks in our life - whether they are on the MENTAL, SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, and PHYSICAL side - it can cause problems in our chakras.  Blockages.  By doing yoga, meditating, and working through these chakras, you will begin to notice changes not only in your body, but in your life. 

The ROOT Chakra, also known as the First Chakra, is located at the base of our spine.  It's primary function is to GROUND us and provide SECURITY.  It is our primal energy, the part of us that wants to take care of ourselves as well as others.  The part of us that wants to belong!  It is the part of you that likes to makes things simple, easy, and basic.  It is also where our sexual energies and primal instincts emerge from. 

In the simplest form, if you are not feeling safe or secure - you're probably what?....  You guessed it- you're probably Anxious and are under lots of Stress.  You live in Fear of the unknown, of not belonging, of not feeling stable and grounded.  If this is sounding like you - you need to get working on your First (ROOT) Chakra.

How do you work on the First Chakra? 

I am currently reading a great book called "The Seven Fold Journey: Reclaiming Mind,  Body, and Spirit through the Seven Chakras" by Anodea Judith and Selene Vega.  They provide a step-by-step approach to healing and balancing one's life using contemporary psychotherapeutic techniques, yoga, bioenergetics, journal exercises, meditation, dance, and ritual. I would HIGHLY recommend it.  It will really get you to start thinking about things, notice patterns in your life you may be able to fix, as well as how you can make changes NOW. 

My plan is to post some of my own findings on here as I work through the process.  In "Part Two: The First Chakra"- I will share some of my process and findings while working through it as well as offer some meditations and advice.

Stay TUNED...

OH... and in the meantime, I also wanted to share the following for your viewing pleasure!  I found this great image (below) on www.projectinnerpeace.org and description of the Chakras that I think will help in giving you a picture of how the energies relate to us and those entities outside of us:

"This image shows how the chakras extend outward from our physical bodies.  Most of the chakras extend forward and backward, as a spinning cone-shaped vortex of energy.  The root chakra extends downward, connecting us to the earth while “grounding” us.  The crown chakra extends upward to our higher self and the spiritual planes, connecting us to the divine!"

It's pretty neat, huh?  I am such a geek when it comes to this stuff - I love reading and learning more and more about it!  It is fascinating!