“All foundations rest upon the Earth - the universal ground for all that we do. To connect with the body is to connect with the Earth, to be grounded in the biological reality of existence. … We must have soil firm enough to provide stability yet yielding enough to be penetrated by roots. The anchoring of this temple digs deep into the earth, for its Sanskrit name, Muladhara, means ‘root support’.”
Location
Tailbone, base of the spine
Color
Red
Element
Earth
Organ
Adrenal glands, colon, kidneys, bladder, and the skeletal structure, including bones and muscles
Bij Mantra
"Lam" (pronounced "lung" or "luhm")
The First Chakra, or Root Chakra (Muladhara Chakra), is the foundation of the entire chakra system. Located at the base of the spine, it is associated with the physical body’s structure, including the bones, the feet, the legs, and the organs of elimination. Representing the element of Earth, this chakra connects us to the tangible, sensory, and survival features of life. It anchors us to the physical realm, supported by our survival instincts, habits, and primal needs, and provides a home for the unconscious mind.
The First Chakra is also considered to be the seat of Apana, the downward-moving vayu in yogic philosophy. This vayu governs the principles of elimination and release, helping to clear out physical waste, stagnant energy, unwanted thoughts, conflicting emotions, and self-limiting beliefs. As such, Apana supports the body’s natural processes of eliminating toxins and waste.
The First Chakra is considered the "ground of being" because it forms the foundation for our physical, psychological, and spiritual experiences. It governs our survival, stability, and primal connection to life. The stability and balance of Muladhara are vital for the alignment and integration of the higher chakras, just as strong tree roots support a tall tree. When Muladhara is balanced, it provides a sense of safety, stability, and belonging, essential for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It empowers us to engage with life experiences with confidence and presence fully.
Muladhara is related to interoception (perception of the body’s internal physiological state) and proprioception (perception of the body’s position and motion). As such, it allows us to tune into our body’s rhythms, maintain physical stability, and sense the messages from our body. This allows for grounded awareness from which we can explore higher states of consciousness without falling into delusion.
When Muladhara is out of balance, it is either dominant or suppressed. A suppressed Muladhara can lead to feelings of shame, insecurity, and ungroundedness, overwhelming us and making it difficult to trust ourselves, others, or the world around us. On the other hand, a dominant Muladhara can manifest as excessive neediness, attachment to material possessions, controlling behaviors, or rigid thinking. Both imbalances can have physical consequences, such as irregular digestion, constipation, fatigue, lower back pain, or leg and foot issues.
In essence, the Root Chakra is both our anchor and our gateway. It is the foundation upon which we build a life rooted in the stability and safety we need to connect to the deeper dimensions of ourselves.
Sat Kriya
Meditation for the First Chakra
This is a practice to activate and strengthen your First Chakra. It promotes grounding and feelings of security and stability as it tones your pelvic floor muscles.
Healthy Bowel System
This kriya is grounding, because it is done in a standing position, ideally with the heels pressed firmly into the ground; it also works the digestive system, or your ability to assimilate nourishment and release what you do not need.
Foundation for Infinity
A kriya to prepare a strong physical ground in the lower triangle for reaching toward experiences of the infinite.
