The Root Chakra

Is your Root Chakra blocked?

The word “chakra” means “disk” or “wheel” in Sanskrit. This is referring to the different energy centers in the body and each center corresponds to major organs and nerves in the body. To function optimally, these chakras need to stay balanced, but, because life is difficult and chaotic at times, sometimes they get blocked which can manifest emotionally or physically. Below we dive into specifically the Root Chakra, what it is, and signs it could be imbalanced.

What is the root chakra?

The Root Chakra is the first Chakra and it resides at the base of the spine, or at the tail bone. This chakra is the “root” of your energy and self. The root chakra is responsible for connecting you to the world around you and is responsible for your overall sense of safety and security in your day-to-day life. 

What are signs your root chakra is imbalanced?

Because the root chakra is responsible for your sense of security, a sign that it is out of balance is an overall feeling of restlessness and insecurity. If your Root Chakra is imbalanced you may be feeling stronger symptoms of depression or anxiety symptoms mixed in with possible rage outburst or sometimes, on the extreme, suicidal thoughts. When this grounding Chakra is blocked, we lose our sense of self and purpose in the world because we are almost floating energetically. When you do not feel safe in the world around you, this activates your nervous system which is in control of breathing, your heartbeat and even the digestive process. This also includes your fight or flight response, which leads to stress and anxiety when it is consistently triggered. 

Some other physical symptoms of a blocked root chakra include sluggishness, bladder issues, colon issues, low back problems, left arm, leg or foot pain, inflammation, and cramping. 

How can you balance it?

These feelings can be daunting and overtake your being, but they can be corrected. It is always possible to unblock and rebalance your chakras. 

When you balance the root chakra, this opens the door for connecting and balancing the rest of the chakras that reside above the root. This chakra is the foundation needed to successfully build balance on top of. The root chakra is also made up of what makes you feel grounded and stable in your day to day including food, shelter, water, safety and making sure your emotional needs are met. 

To actively work toward balancing your root chakra you can implement a regular meditation practice and add stones into said meditation practice, get more exercise, eat nutritionally rich foods, ground and connect with the earth, receive some reiki healing sessions, affirmations and even sound baths or vibrational healing.