Muladhara (First Chakra) and How to Come into Alignment
Mula-What?
and why should you care
The Muladhara Chakra is the first chakra in our chakra system. It is located at the base of the spine, including the hips and first 3 vertebrae and the pelvic floor (yasss kweens).
Think of caring about your root chakra like caring about the foundation of your house. Ain’t matter how pretty the curtains are baby if you gonna come crumbling down the moment a swift wind hits.
Imbalances in this chakra can look like:
holding extra weight at the hips and lower extremities
consistent fear of lack of money
not feeling safe emotionally or feeling you can move forward in life
feeling as if you lack connection to those around you or just can’t seem to find your groove and fit in
When you are balanced in this chakra, whoa nelly watch out:
You are living fiercely, unafraid and with an abundance mindset
You feel grounded and centered in your everyday actions and life
You maintain strong and healthy boundaries in your friendships and relationships
You feel connected to the earth and to nature
and best of all...lack? What’s that?!
Physical Manifestations of Imbalance
Adrenal issues
Hip problems
Leg problems
Weak Immune System
Inflammatory and Auto-Immune Diseases
Anorexia and Bulimia are often linked to imbalances in this Chakra
A word on eating disorders...Eating disorders are to be taken seriously and given the proper concern and help needed. Those with eating disorders will need compassion and time to work through patterns and belief systems in order to create a healthy connection with themselves and then with sustenance. A lack of sense of safety or powerlessness, shame or repressed anger can create an imbalance in the root chakra, which, unchecked could lead to disordered eating or in some cases anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Eating disorders are extremely complex and if you or someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder, enlisting in help may be needed to adequately overcome the disorder.
Muladhara Chakra has an association with the earth, and grounding. If you do not feel grounded or safe, this may manifest in extra weight being put on around the body as a means of protection, or cushion. You may overwhelm yourself with too many obligations and not set clear boundaries and feel run down often.
In order to come into balance in this chakra, it is important to take the time to care for yourself and to rest. Finding things to do that center and ground you like reading, writing, sitting quietly with a warm drink can help to bring you into alignment here.
Connect with the earth as often as possible, getting your hands in the dirt and planting some seeds, walking barefoot in the forest or the beach, or just laying down in the grass and sky gazing can be helpful.
If you start to feel overly concerned about all aspects of your life, sicknesses, fear of the unknown, you may start to become imbalanced in this chakra. Affirming that you are safe and provided for and that you will ultimately always come back into a state of wellbeing can help bring you back into alignment.
The more you are able to really dig down deep and find that connection with the earth and the universe, the more you will be able to trust fully your own intuition and live without fear.
Foods for the Muladhara Chakra
I mean, it’s pretty on the nose...but homies-root vegetables. (aka duh).
Food that is grown in the earth, like carrots, parsnips, red-skinned potatoes, radishes, ginger, garlic, onions, yams are all incredible stabilizing vegetables that you can incorporate into your diet to make you feel more rooted.
Take it a step further by growing this food on your own, or visiting a local farmers market to meet the people who grow your food. Radishes grow quite quickly, and so if you are new to growing your own food- they are a fun place to start.
Calcium rich foods (to help fortify those hips bones), are a great addition here as well. Lentils, seeds, nuts and other legumes are grounding in moderate quantities. If you go nuts with nuts (bad dam chinnng) you will feel weighed down.
And of course, because red is associated with this chakra, loading up on red veggies is where it’s at. Red peppers, tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, red pears, red apples, beets, and red onions are all wonderful additions to help boost your red vibes.
Tip for the Muladhara Chakra
Release your fear of food security. This can be especially challenging if you grew up with actual food scarcity, but doing the work here can be life-changing. Affirming that you have enough and will be able to eat when you want and will have access to food when you need it is helpful here. If you or someone you know is suffering from food scarcity, please do reach out for help. There are many programs and sources to help you get healthy foods (even access to organic foods at farmers markets).
Affirmations for the Muladhara Chakra
I am safe
I am secure
I am always provided for
Everything I need is here for me
I am one with all that is
I have everything I need to feel safe and protected
My body is strong and healthy
I deserve to feel loved and cared for
The foods I eat nourish my body and spirit
I am whole, safe, happy and loved
I live in abundance
My energy centers are clear
I am held and cared for by mother earth
I am grounded and trust my intuition