Root Chakra

This is the first part to a seven part series describing the different chakras, their functions and their relationship to tantra. This article will give you the insight you need to better understand how the energy centers in our bodies, that we call chakras affect us emotionally and physically.

The Root Chakra

Ever had one of those days where you found yourself just stumbling about, dropping things, bumping into people and just feeling ungrounded? Your Root Chakra may have been out of balance. The Root Chakra is located off the tailbone or at the perineum (the area between the genitals and anus). It shoots out in two directions, in the shape of a Y, through the ground and out in front of you. It is red in color and vibrates to the music note “C”. Color and sound affect us energetically and emotionally more than we may understand. Just think of how you feel when you are woken up by the shrill sound of heavy machinery right under your window, or how much easier it is to read a book while listening to classical music, as opposed to heavy metal.

In layman’s terms, the Root Chakra and it’s functions bear a strong resemblance to some of Freud’s theories of Psychosexual Development. Maybe you’ve heard of the “anal stage” and how a child’s success at this stage is dependent upon positive parental reinforcement of toilet training. It was believed that parents who used rewards were more likely to raise a child who felt capable, confident and secure, as opposed to fearful, mistrusting and insecure. And so goes the function of the Root Chakra which is the center point of our feelings of survival. It is what makes us feel grounded and secure in who we are as individuals.

If you find you may have an imbalance in your Root Chakra, no need to worry. You won’t have to spend the next 10 years on the psychoanalyst’s couch recounting tales of woe, hoping to graduate from the anal to the genital stage in your development. A simple chakra cleansing exercise can quickly and effectively resolve many of the issues that you may experience when your Root Chakra is either overactive or underactive.

An Overactive Root Chakra

With an overactive Root Chakra we can sometimes come off as excessively greedy and concerned with material things. We may be domineering, impulsive and sexually manipulative. Because this chakra is tied into security and survival, when overactive, we may have a reckless thrill-seeking attitude about us. Digestive issues and poor circulation are common complaints among people with both overactive and underactive Root Chakras.

An Underactive Root Chakra

When underactive, the Root Chakra plays out in a different way. People who aren’t grounded often don’t have enough energy passing through this chakra because most of the energy stays trapped in the higher energy centers, such as in the solar plexus which is the seat of “control issues”. An underactive Root chakra may cause a feeling of disconnection from our bodies, thus the stumbling about and feeling ungrounded. We may feel fearful, restless and anxious, which can cycle down into a depression. People with underactive Root Chakras are often times labeled as being very stiff, rigid and uptight.

A Balanced Root Chakra

When your Root Chakra is balanced, you feel centered and grounded in who you are. You live in the present moment effortlessly and you feel a strong connection to yourself and in your relationships with other people. You know who you are and what you want out of life. Regardless of the issues you may face in your personal or professional life, you continue to have an unwavering confidence that things will just work out in the end. You have a sense of abundance about your life, a firm resolve and a strong will to live.

On A Final Note…

The Root Chakra is of particular importance in tantric practices. It is the seat of kundalini energy, which for some people begins to rise slowly after years of study and spiritual work. For other people, particularly tantra practitioners, kundalini can rise spontaneously, raising one’s vibration and capacity to heal others exponentially. Such has been my experience with Jade Tantra in that it’s uniquely designed pressure point system has the capacity to rapidly heal chakra imbalances, raising energy from the lower chakras up into the heart and crown