5 Yoga Poses for Root Chakra Balance

What is Root Chakra?

The word Muladhara is made up of two Sanskrit words, one of the two is “Mula,” which means “root” and the other is “Adhara,” which means “support” or “base.”

Where Is Your Root Chakra?

Chakras act as spinning wheels of energy that create your body’s natural energy system and life force, they help to regulate all on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. It is said Chakras correspond to bundles of nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body, which affect our emotional and physical well being. 

There are 7 major chakras, which are located along the spine and they each represent a different area of physical and spiritual energy. Root chakra is one of the seven that governs our safety, security, and sense of groundless.

Related reading: What Are the 12 Chakras

Our root chakra is located at the base of the spine. Root chakra is linked with the earth element and directly associated to our ability to dig in and feel firmly rooted in daily lives.

Benefits of Balanced Root Chakra 

When your root chakra is balanced, you will find contentment, happiness, and inner peace. You are supposed to have more compassion and patience towards yourself and everything around you. That is to say, a balanced root chakra brings emotional stability and an incredible sense of being able to cope with whatever the universe throws at your. That is why every of us should try our best to achieve balance in root chakra.

Signs of Imbalance in the Root Chakra 

When the energy of the root chakra is well flowing, you will feel grounded and supported. On the other end, people who are suffering from an imbalance root chakra is experiencing the opposite. People who bounce from project to project, thought to thought, fail to deliver proper attention to self-care. These kind of behavior can lead to burnout. That is to say, people whose root chakra is imbalanced can be frustrated, feel defeated, as well as be unable to get things done.

Restoring balance of the root chakra provides a solid foundation for growth. One of the best ways to align or boost balance to the root chakra – or indeed any of the big seven major chakras – is to practice yoga, in particularly, practicing yoga poses for root chakra.

5 Yoga Poses for Root Chakra Balance

The essence of working with your chakras is all about getting balance. Hence releasing excess chakra energy is just as important as stimulating chakras to gain energy. 

These 5 yoga poses for root chakra below are aimed at both stimulating and releasing energy in order to allow for personal growth. Hold for five slow breaths in each root chakra pose, step by step instruction on how to do these yoga poses are included.

1. Child pose

Child pose is a basic yoga poses for root chakra, it allows your entire body to relax thoroughly. In this asana, you are completely supported by the earth mother and can experience the feeling of surrender and support.

• Start from a seated position over your shins at the back of the mat. 
• Bring your chest down to the ground and surrender to the weight of your body. 
• Breathe deeply and feel your back rise and fall with your breath.

2. Mountain pose

Mountain pose helps you feel the earth beneath you providing you support and nutrition, is another entry level yoga poses for root chakra. This posture is another basic pose that encourages your overall balance and relaxation, encouraging you to feel centered and focused in the present.

• Start from standing at the front of your mat with your feet together and ankles slightly apart. 
• Firm both your calve muscle and thigh muscle, at the same time lift up from your hips to elongate your spine. 
• Roll your shoulders open and make your gaze facing out.

3. Standing forward fold 

Standing forward fold pose allows you to ease the mind and achieve a sense of center and calmness within your practice. Physically, it helps to stretch the hamstrings and relieves tension in the entire back.

• Start from standing in mountain pose with your feet together. 
• Bend your knees slightly and fold your torso over your legs, hinging from your hips.
• Place your hands on your feet or on the ground in front of you.
• With each inhale, lengthen your spine, and with each exhale, fold a little bit deeper.

4. Triangle pose

Triangle pose, one of the most recommended yoga poses for rook chakra, helps to lengthen and strengthen the lower body, increase digestion, reduces stress and anxiety, and relieve back pain.

• Start from stand straight with your feet in a wide stance. 
• With a straight waist, bend towards the right and lift your left hand above you, anchoring yourself with your right. 
• Bend your right knee, stretch out your left leg, and look up towards your outstretched arm. 
• Hold for a few breaths, then repeat on the other side.

5. Tree pose

The best way to feel grounded is by standing tall in tree pose. Tree pose, a classic yoga poses for root chakra helps to balance and strengthen all the parts connected to your root chakra, including your groin, thighs, hips, and pelvis. 

• Start from standing in mountain pose. 
• Place hands in prayer sign and shift your weight to the right side by lifting your left knee. 
• Place the left foot on the inside of the right thigh.
• Stay balanced as you raise your arms in a Y shape like the branches of a tree.
• Hold for a few breaths, then repeat on the other side.