Several years ago, I was given a satchel of cedar needles by a friend, with instructions to place them in a small shell and burn them to cleanse, make room for space, and bring new beginnings. I've since read that ancient healers used to burn cedar wood to evoke mystic memories - essentially open the Third eye. In looking further into the benefits of burning cedar, I found that it is also recommended to help balance the root chakra.
Translated from the Sanskrit word, cakram - meaning 'wheel' - our seven chakras are energy bodies that correspond with points on the physical body as the 'wheels of life.' As the seven greatest subtle energy centers that run along the spine, the chakras contribute to sustaining our prana, or life force. While chakras do not have a tangible presence in our bodies, each of them relate to states of consciousness and participate in governing our physical body and are associated with specific physical conditions. Each chakra is also associated with a basic right, a seed sound and element and emotions as well. -- Given such complexity, I'll keep from getting in to deep. Look for links later to posts from experts, though - this is truly fascinating stuff!
Our root chakra, or Mūlādhāra in Sanskrit, is the first of our seven chakras and rests at the base of our spine. This subtle body is our grounding force to the Earth - essentially, that which keeps us grounded. Associated with the foundational elements of security, if our root chakra is not in balance, we feel disconnected, unsteady and unstable, as well as frustrated, and a general lack of energy. This chakra is connected to our fight or flight response - our most primal instinct of survival - and our basic right representative of the root chakra is 'the right to be here.'
Traumatic situations, emotional turmoil, physical injury - many things can block or contribute to the imbalance of our chakras. And we don't have to be healers or energy workers to be in tune with whether or not our chakras are in balance, or to be able to rebalance. In recent economic times, some of us have been forced to move to a new job after the close of our former company, maybe let go, or even making the decision to pursue something different and having to be patient for that 'something' to happen. This feeling of unsureness - the discomfort of feeling as though we don't have a firm footing can create an imbalance in our root chakra. (Given my circumstances - self-imposed as it is - I suppose it's a good thing I've lately been lighting my cedar needles more often.)
So what else helps us regain balance in our root chakra? Most elementary is to restore your connection to the Earth - garden, plant new life, spend some time enjoying being barefoot outdoors, love on nature a bit. If you prefer shoes, eat grounding foods - root vegetables, nuts or legumes - and red foods - pomegranates, tomatoes, beets, red berries, (the color red is associated with the root chakra as the color linked to our primitive physical and emotional needs, the color of security, power, action and courage.) Even something as simple as wearing red can help. Or, take more action and try some grounding yoga poses, or those that build up the areas of the physical body that the chakra governs, (lower abdomen, legs - also governs the lower digestive system, kidneys, immune system, and feet). A few sample poses to try:
- Tadasana, or Mountain pose - the ultimate grounding pose, giving us a firm foundation to not only the Earth but our entire yoga pose. (Quick fact - this is the foundational pose from which all other poses are established.)
- Utkatasana, or Chair pose - this pose engages the quad muscles and lower legs, as well as the core. and helps bring out the feeling of a firm connection to the Earth.
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, or Bridge pose - with a firm positioning into the Earth, this pose builds strength in the core and legs, the grounding source of our physical bodies.
To read more about the chakras and corresponding asanas, check out this great article from Yoga Journal.
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