Grounded, Secure, Balanced
When you're feeling confident, supported, focused and energised - basically undefeatable, chances are your root chakra is clear and aligned. Allowing the Kundalini (Energy flows) to rise up.
If on the other hand, you're feeling sluggish, insecure, anxious, angry, without a sense of purpose or beloning, then you may need to do some work to activate, clear and align your Root Chakra.
Don't worry!
If you suspect your Root Chakra is blocked there are a few things that you can do to help clear and activate your Root Chakra.
Don't expect overnight miracles though! Like with most things in life you will need to be consistent and intentional in your actions and you should start to see results.
There are a few things you can do to help you can clear, activate and align your Root Chakra, our favourites include Yoga, Meditation, Acupressure/Reflexology, using Aromatherapy Essential Oils & Crystal Healing.
Each of these methods is included below.
But first, let's take it back to the beginning!
Root Chakra - The Foundation
The Root Chakra, is the first Chakra, also known as the base chakra. In Sanskrit it is called Muladhara, which is the joining of two words - Mula meaning “root” and adhara meaning “support” or “base”.
The Root Chakra is associated with the Earth element and the colour Red.
Where is my Root Chakra located and what does it do?
Your Root Chakra is located at the perineum (base of your spine), along the first three vertebrae and it extends down into your feet and legs. It's connected to your lower back, legs, your feet and is the foundation of life representing safety, stability and security.
How can I tell if my Root chakra is blocked?
A blocked root chakra can manifest mentally, for example if you've been feeling irritated, anxious, sluggish, insecure then these may be some symptoms of a blocked Root Chakra. Symptoms can also be more physical. Constipation, cramps, lower back pain are some potential indications that your Root Chakra is blocked, unaligned or deactivated.
How can I unblock my Root chakra?
Probably the best way to unblock your Root Chakra is by doing Yoga, complemented with the addition of chanting/affirmations, crystals and aromatherapy. The sequence we use usually takes about 10-15 minutes a day.
What yoga poses are best to unblock my Root chakra?
We recommend this yoga sequence, which takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes minimum to complete, although the longer you can practice the better.
Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
Benefits: Relaxing effect on the mind and body which is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. Calms the mind, improving concentration and focus and automatically makes you more attentive. It strengthens the back muscles, stretches the knees and ankles and improves the overall body posture. Lengthens the spine and back muscles.
How to:
- Sit on the edge of a firm blanket.
- Extend your legs in front of your body and sit up straight, then cross your legs in front of you at the shins.
- With your knees wide, place each foot beneath the opposite knee.
- Fold your legs in toward your torso.
- Place your hands on your knees, palms down.
- Balance your weight evenly across your sit bones.
- Align your head, neck, and spine. Lengthen your spine, but soften your neck.
- Relax your feet and thighs. Gaze straight ahead with soft eyes.
Hold for up to one minute or for the duration
Watch for: If your hips are tight, do not sit flat on the floor! Prop yourself up on a blanket, two blankets or a meditation pillow. Lifting your hips above the level of your knees will greatly reduce stress and discomfort in your hips, knees, and back. It will also open your groin even further and bring your spine into correct alignment, which will help you to stay in the position for much longer periods.
From Sukhasana transition gently, keeping grounded to
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Benefits: Gently rests, relieves and stretches the lower back, hips, thighs & ankles; inspires introspection as it takes us inward to observe our body, breath, and mind; calms the mind; stretches the back muscles
How to:
- From lying on your back, gently roll to one side and then slowly make your way onto your belly.
- Bend your knees and shift your hips back until the buttocks reach the heels and the hamstrings rest on the calves.
- Bring your hands alongside your feet, palms facing up, or keep your arms extended and your shoulders relaxed.
Stay here for 2 minutes or at least for 5 deep slow breaths.
Watch for: If resting the buttocks on your heels does not feel comfortable, place a folded blanket or a bolster in between them. Or you can also use a bolster between your body and the mat.
From Balsana transition gently to
Garland Pose / Yogi Squat (Malasana)
Benefits: it
How to: From
Breathe deeply for 5 breaths.
Watch for: If
From Malasana transition gently to forward fold via a downward dog movement.
Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
Benefits: Grounds you, soothes the nervous system, encourages introspection. It stretches the hamstrings, hips, and calves, improves flexibility on the posterior [back] side of the body, It can also help to improve your balance.
How to:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and arms by your sides.
- Exhale as you fold forward from the hips and bring your head towards the floor. Tuck your chin under, relax your shoulders, and think about extending the crown of your head toward the floor to create a long spine.
- Keep your knees straight but with a gentle bend so that they are not locked out. This will help protect your back.
- Touch the floor with your fingertips. You can also wrap your arms around your legs if that feels comfortable to you.
- Hold for 30–60 seconds. Don’t forget to breathe.
- Bend knees and roll up slowly, starting with the low back and stacking one vertebra at a time, to return to standing.
Breathe deeply for 3 breaths.
Watch for: If you have existing back problems or high blood pressure, you may want to do a modified pose - seated. If you can’t reach your hands to the floor or your hamstrings are extremely tight, bend your knees more or try placing your hands on an elevated surface, like a yoga block. tart with bent knees and gradually start to straighten the legs to the degree they allow. Your hands can be on the floor for support or clasped behind your back,
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
Benefits: it
How to: From
Breathe deeply for 10 breaths.
Watch for: If
Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Benefits: improves your posture and body awareness, strengthens your legs, and establishes good alignment.
How to: From
3 deep breaths.
Watch for: If
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
Benefits: it can help bring about a deep state of rest which can help to release stress and muscular tension
How to:
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Lie down on your back.
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Separate your legs and let your knees fall open on each side. traight so that your feet can fall open to either side.
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Bring your arms alongside your body, but slightly separated from your torso. Turn your palms to face upwards but don't try to keep them open. Let the fingers curl in.
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Tuck your shoulder blades onto your back for support.
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Once you have set up your limbs, release any effort from holding them in position. Relax your whole body, including your face. Let your body feel heavy.
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Let your breathing occur naturally. If your mind wanders, you can bring your attention to your breath but try to just notice it, not deepen it. Stay for a minimum of five minutes. Ten minutes is better. If you are practicing at home, set an alarm so that you are not compelled to keep checking the time.
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To come out, first begin to the deepen your breath. Then begin to wiggle your fingers and toes6 , slowly reawakening your body Stretch your arms overhead for a full body stretch from hands to feet.
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Bring your knees into your chest and roll over to one side, keeping your eyes closed. Use your bottom arm as a pillow while you rest in a fetal position7 for a few breaths.
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Using your hands for support, bring yourself back up into a sitting position.
Breathe deeply for 10 breaths.
Watch for: If you have low back tenderness or stiffness, a rolled blanket or bolster under your knees helps bring the pelvis into a more comfortable position. If you are pregnant, use a rolled blanket or bolster to raise your head and chest.
Root Chakra Affirmations
Mantra - LAM
- I am present and capable
- I am safe
- I feel at peace
- I am worthy
- I belong
- I am grounded, centred and fully present
- I am confident in my ability to care for myself
- I am focused and energetic
- I release fear and trust in the process of life.
- I live in the present moment
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I am present in my body.
How can I use crystals to unblock my Root chakra?
There are many crystals that are useful when doing Root Chakra work. Red crystals such as Red Jasper, Red Agate & Red Quartz, as well as darker or black stones such as Hematite, Black Obsidian, Black Agate, Black Tourmaline or Smoky Quartz.
But with all crystal healing, nothing is set in stone! You should use whichever crystals reasonate with you or you feel most drawn to.
You can place the crystals in your palms while meditating, wear crystal jewellery or place the crystals around your home, carry them around with you. Many have been known to keep a few in their bra!
Our Mini Root Chakra Aligning Kit contains both tumbles and a bracelet to help align your root chakra
Hematite
Guides you in becoming the master of your mind. This crystal will centre you in the present and when your thoughts are in a mess.
Black Tourmaline
A highly protective stone that offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual protection. It is considered one of the best root chakra stones because of its grounding energy and its ability to boost our vitality, strength, and security.
This powerful stone transforms negative energy into positive energy and aligns the chakras. It reduces fears, phobias, and panic attacks, and gives us personal power during difficult situations.
You'll enjoy the self-confidence, physical energy, and clarity this crystal provides. It also supports the body with detoxification and assistance for the muscles, colon, and adrenal glands.
Red Jasper
the Stone of Endurance. This crystal fills you with fiery energy to build your inner strength and connect you to your true power.
Smokey Quartz
A highly protective stone that offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual protection. It is considered one of the best root chakra stones because of its grounding energy and its ability to boost our vitality, strength, and security.
Black Agate
Black Agate is used for its grounding, balancing and centering properties. It is closely connected to the Root chakra. Wearing jewellery made from this gemstone will bring you peace, balance your positive and negative energy, relieve anxiety and provide protection during hard times
Black Obsidian
Moonstone
How can I use aromatherapy to unblock my Root chakra?
Essential oils can help you to clear your mind and calm down, taking away any initial feelings of panic, helping you to put things in perspective and focus on wat is going on the inside, helping you to be in touch with yourself.
Aromatherapy essential oils can be used prior to, during or after a yoga ,reiki or meditation session. They can also be added to your bath, used for massage or even added to jewellery for on the go relief.
As the Root Chakra is centred around the earth and roots, it's not surprising that the Essential Oils that can be used to help unblock or align are also earthy or come from plants have roots. Think Cedarwood, Spruce, Sandalwood, or the earthy tones of Patchouli, Frankincense, Vetiver and even Black Pepper. Ginger, Lavender, Ylang & Clary can also be used.
Rub directly into the soles of your feet (black pepper, patchouli, vetiver); apply to your stomach (ginger, lavender); add to your bath (cedarwood, vetiver, lavender); or blend with carrier oil and add to pulse points, or simply diffuse prior to or during a session of yoga, meditation or mindfulness.
Here are our top ten Essential Oils to help unblock, activate or align your Root Chakra
1. Patchouli
In times of stress, anxiety or low mood, Patchouli is a great oil to reach for. A calming, grounding oil, patchouli draws the energy down into the body and anchors it at the root chakra. This helps to balance your emotions, easing anxiety and uplift your mood, bringing confidence and clarity of thought. .
2. Vetiver
Known as the Oil of Tranquility, Vetiver essential oil is a natural sedative, deeply relaxing, its balancing, grounding and calming properties help to encourage a sense of belonging and emotional strength and works on the body and the mind.
A good oil to reach for if you're feeling stressed out and need to calm down or are struggling to find a sense of purpose.
3. Frankincense
Frankincense has calming, soothing properties that promote a feeling of safety. Its warm, earthy scent has a grounding effect and invites positive emotions.Has antidepressant and sedative qualities (soothing and calming). Lifts the spirits and increases focus, as well as aids in meditation. Ideal when stressed or overwhelmed.Energetic, comforting & calming on the emotions. Grounding & encouraging to breathe deeply. And all so spiritual.
4. Cedarwood
When you're feeling angry, negative or have nervous tension, Cedarwood essential oil may be able to help.
Protective, grounding & uplifting, Cedarwood essential oil helps to combat feelings of negativity, calm & relieve anger, as well as releasing nervous tension. It can help to instill positive energy and soothes the mind and soul.
5. Sandalwood
calming, sedative and antidepressant. It has a restorative effect on mind and emotions.
6. Ginger
When it feels like you're fighting for survival, Ginger is a good oil to reach for. It helps to promote feelings for stability and security.
A warming and grounding oil, ginger helps to stimulate and energize the root chakra.
7. Lavender
One of the most versatile oils. Lavender is great for all of our chakras, naturally soothing it can ground the nervous system and stabilise emotional balance.
8. Ylang Ylang
Ylang emotionally uplifting, energising & aids fatigue with a wonderful smell. An aphrodisiac & [great to lift your mood].
9. Black Pepper
It helps to overcome worry and anxieties connected with the root chakra. It energetically lessens resistance to change helping us get unstuck and eases the change of behaviour patterns that need to be changed or developed.
10. Geranium
Root Chakra Essential OIl Blend Recipes
- 8 drops of Bergamot
- 8 drops of Frankincense
- 4 drops of Cedarwood
What other things can I do to unblock my Root chakra?
As the Root Chakra is connected to the earth, it makes sense that activities that bring you closer to nature will help to ground you.
Here are some other Chakra Healing ideas, to help you activate, unblock or align your Root Chakra
Chakra Smudging
Clear and cleanse your root chakra from negative energy with a White sage or spirtual cleansing smudge stick, followed by burning palo santo.
Gardening
Spend some time in a garden, or if space is an issue even planting up a houseplant. There's something grounding about feeling the earth in your fingers and being one with nature.
Red! Wear it, eat it, visualise it!
As the root chakra is associated with the colour red, eating red fruit such as raspberries or tomatoes, red vegetables or even wearing red socks or knickers, will have some sort of impact on your Root Chakra.
Meditation, Mindfulness, Chanting
Take time out to meditate or chant, practice mindfulness - try to be present in the moment.
Walk barefoot
On the grass, on the beach, in your home, connect to the earth
Check out our Chakras collection, for a great selection of crystals, incense, jewellery, gift sets, singing bowls and more.