The root chakra (Muladhara) is located in the pelvic floor at the base of the spine in the perineum. It is associated with our physical identity and the colour red. Security, stability, and structure are the key qualities of this chakra. It is our connection to the earth, foundation, preservation, and belonging. It is also associated with our belief patterns, habits, and entrenched behaviours. When this chakra is not in alignment, there is a tendency towards anxiety, worry, nervousness, and the feeling of being lost, fleeting, unsure, and lacking.

Cultivating stability helps us to handle change. Security and belonging keeps us grounded. We lose our energy when we don't feel secure, especially during uncertainty, such as these days of Covid and what lies afterwards. Being open to possibilities and being adaptable amongst upheaval allows for an inner strength to blossom, and anchors our spirit in a reality that is stable. This chakra controls the fight/flight/freeze reaction, putting us into survival mode. When we can access our parasympathetic nervous system through a slow, grounded, mindfulness practice, we can re-orientate ourselves back to where we are and get out of survival mode and into soulful mode.

All humans get uprooted at some stage, but how can we nurture the conditions for sustainability and growth in life? Change is always certain in this temporary world but we're always at home when we know how to ground ourselves. This is my biggest challenge personally because I tend towards airiness and float around from place to place in a busy frenzy, thinking I'll do that grounding work later when I'm in the mood.... but because of my habits, I don't find myself in the mood to calm down as often as I would like.

Too strong of a root chakra leads to attachment, fear of change, tribalism, predjudice, lack of identity or individuality outside of your comfort zone. Pay attention to what is wholesome and nourishing for you to keep you grounded and let go of limiting and narrow belief patterns (like the all too common one of "I'm not good enough" that creeps in). Every human has the same rights and the same Universal Self inside. We are all a part of the earth, and this energy centre is about connecting to our source from mother nature.

Reflect:

Are you internally secure?

How do you define stability?

Do you trust life?