Balance Root Chakra

How does grounding work?

Phenomenally, the earth has a subtle electrical charge.  We ground electrical items we use and we also ground our bodies via the root chakra.

What does it feel like to be grounded?

As a humans, when we are grounded there is a sense that we are balanced.

We get a sense of being centered, stable, solid, and safe.

Why are grounding exercises important, now more than ever?

We’ve lost touch with the ground.  In the past, we were barefoot or wore material on our feet that was conductive.  

We are bio electrical beings.  As we have industrialized, we rarely are bare bodied and touching the ground.  Non conductive materials are rubber, plastic, wood, laminate, and asphalt.  Recent science is showing that this disconnection may be the “missing link” in human health.  

Truly, the great news is that we can reconnect.  Become grounded and rooted again.

What are the benefits of grounding exercises?

The healing benefits of grounding are showing: reduction of inflammation, pain, and stress. You can gain better circulation, improves sleep, and a general sense a balanced wellness.

The Earthing Institute says the following.

The pursuit of scientific evidence that grounding impacts human physiology and health began with Drs. Karol and Pawel Sokal in Poland and Clint Ober in the United States in the 1990s.

The research shows fascinating evidence of a powerful and positive shift in the electrical state of the body and the electrodynamics of blood. A boost to self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms.

We believe that Earthing allows a transfer of electrons from the ground into the body. We know that inflammation is caused by free radicals and that free radicals are neutralized by electrons from any source. Electrons are the source of the neutralizing power of antioxidants.

In the Earthing studies, as well as global feedback from thousands of individuals who have grounded themselves, we have consistent evidence of people whose pain has been reduced.

You can find more information at the earthing institute. 

How to Balance your ROOT Chakra

Whether you are directly plugging into the ground or mentally grounding.  In the same fashion, both seem to have an effect on the way we feel.  

A basic and easy way is to place your bare feet on the ground.  What counts as the  ground? Grass, dirt, sand, and rock count as “ground”.  Therefore, any bare skin that makes contact with it means you are grounded.

What is the ROOT CHAKRA?

What is a chakra?

Firstly, the word chakra is used in Sanskrit and Pali and is translated as wheel or circle. It refers to condensed focal point of energy in the subtle body. Also, it was psychologically adopted by Carl Jung.

In the book, Anatomy of the Spirit, Caroline Myss describes the chakras as follows: “Every thought and experience you’ve ever had in your life gets filtered through these chakra databases. Each event is recorded into your cells.”

The chakras are described by most to a column of energy in front of the spine. Beginning from the base of the spine and extending up the spine to the top of the head and beyond. In most traditions, chakras are related to specific psychological functions, elements of consciousness, as well as other characteristics.

Ground and Balance the Root Chakra

Chakra 1, the root chakra, also called Muladhara in Sanskrit. 

Uniquely located at the base of the spine in the coccygeal area of the subtle body.

Sometimes root energy imbalance presents itself in pain, find out how to treat sciatic pain at home.

The basic translation is root support. This energy is representing the element of Earth.

The mantra sound that correlates is sound LAM. 

Additionally, the color red and the feelings of solidity and security.

Dormant kundalini energy lives here.

Here you can find more about chakras from Anodea Judith. She wrote the book Wheels of Life and several other amazing books describing how the chakra works as a body system. Wheels of Life, is on most yoga teacher training recommended reading lists.

Root Chakra Energy

Known as the the root of our life force, it is located at the base of the spine. You can think of it as our battery. As a matter of fact, this area directly correlates with the sciatic nerve ganglia. This nerve runs from the base of the spine down into the legs and into the feet.

Basic Grounding Exercises for the Root Chakra

Truly an easy exercise to increase your grounding is to stand with your feet as wide as your shoulders, turn your heels out slightly.

Slowly, inhale, bend your knees a little and imagine drawing up some of earth’s energy.  Draw it up your legs into your root chakra.

Next, exhale, and press down with your feet, visualizing you are growing roots from your feet and into the earth.

Certainly, you may find your weight is easier to balance as well.

In addition add a layer of depth to your grounding practice by placing your bare feet directly on the ground, connecting directly to the earth 

Yoga poses for grounding and opening the root chakra.

Balance Your Root Chakra with these Yoga poses

Standing poses

mountain pose, tree, warrior 2, garland

Seated poses

staff pose, seated forward fold, pigeon, folded pigeon and head to knee forward fold, child’s pose

Inversions

downward facing dog, standing forward fold

Twists

simple seated twist, half lord of the fishes

Laying poses

Knees to chest, Happy baby

Completely new to yoga?  Things you should know before starting yoga.

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