Root Tradition
Now that we have wrapped up Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga it is time to venture on a new yogic quest. This time around we will turn our attention to the 7 Chakras in the body. Now you may be asking yourself “What is a Chakra?”, well friend that is a fantastic place for us to start.
A chakra is an energy center located in the body. The 7 main energy sources in the body known as the chakras begin at the base of the spine in the pelvis and continue up the spine to the crown of the head. Ideally all of these energy centers would be flowing freely so that the body is not becoming stagnant. However as a lower chakra becomes blocked it limits the energy flow in the body thus disabling the higher up chakras as well. Much like the 8 Limbs of yoga, you must have a strong foundation for a yogic path.
As such we will begin with the first chakra: the root chakra. Each of the chakras has an associated color and the color of the root chakra is red. It is located in the base of the groin and it opens downward. Now might be a nice time to mention that each chakra is also represented as a lotus flower, and the root chakra has 4 petals.
The root chakra is linked to our most basic needs: safety, security, sense of self, survival, food, sleep, shelter, sex etc. without these basic needs being met we know that fundamentally we suffer and the same is true with our internal energy system. Without these most primal needs being met we can not progress down a path of development, and out internal processes will become blocked.
In order to bring this Chakra into alignment I will give you the gift of a mudra. If you want to do work beyond this you can connect with the color red, download the grounding audio from my store, or reach out to me to start your Root Tradition today.
Kanishtha Mudra -
Hold hands in front of the solar plexus, gently press tips of pinky finger together and allow other fingers to relax inward, relax shoulders back and down with elbows held away from body, forearms parallel to earth, and spine naturally erect
The living earth pulses within my being, infusing me with all of its essential qualities *This is an option affirmation to meditate on while holding the mudra.
Brings breath and awareness to pelvis/base of body to create a massaging effect that supports release of muscular tension
Opens and balances our first chakra, our center of safety
As this energy center opens subtle blockages related to survival needs are released, enhancing our sense of trust, safety and security
As our true sense of grounding increases we attune more easily to our true inner being, whose essential nature is safety
