Welcome to this seven-part series as we dive deep into balancing one chakra energy center per session.
These meditations offer an integrative practice using essential oils,
Pranayama breathing techniques,
And hand mudras.
Essential oils are optional but enhance the practice if you have them available.
Feel free to practice this meditation without oils which will still be a deeply grounding experience.
So let's get started.
Integrative Chakra Balancing Series Segment 1,
The Root Chakra,
Muladhara.
Welcome to Segment 1 of Integrative Chakra Balancing as we explore the Root Chakra,
The Muladhara,
Represented by the color red.
This is the chakra of belonging,
Our anchor and center of gravity,
Our feeling of being home wherever we are and having everything we need to thrive.
In today's practice we'll start with an essential oil visualization,
Move into pranayama breathing,
And finish with a grounding mudra and meditation.
My recommended essential oils for this chakra are vetiver,
Sandalwood,
Cedarwood,
And patchouli,
Or choose any root,
Bark,
Or resin that you prefer.
Feel free to use one oil for this chakra or to make a blend.
Each of these oils blend wonderfully with citrus such as orange or pink grapefruit.
Pause now to gather your oils or make your blend before we get started.
Now with your oils nearby find a comfortable seated position.
Breathe.
Bring attention to where the weight of your body rests below the base of your spine to your root.
Breathe into this area where your body meets the earth.
As you breathe allow this area to take in nourishment and life-force energy.
Feel your roots go deep into the earth below.
This root chakra is what connects us to what most nourishes us,
Primal needs and energies of home safety and security.
Envision a glowing red light surrounding the base of your spine empowering and grounding you.
Allow yourself to know that you are safe and your needs are taken care of.
Breathe into that knowing while you focus on this red energy.
Now envision a root growing from the base of your tailbone penetrating through the floor into the dirt below.
Watch as it begins to weave through the soil that nourishes us with its minerals and nutrients.
Imagine another root growing from your tailbone winding through the earth working a path near the previous one.
Watch as another and yet another join those repeatedly until you are physically connected to the earth through a web of strong roots.
Breathe into this root system that keeps you safe nourished and grounded.
Breathe into this knowing of yourself as a biological being sharing a oneness with all plants and animals on this planet.
Now open your root chakra oil and roll or sprinkle a few drops into your palms rubbing them together.
Bring your palms to your nose and breathe in deeply sealing this energy into your awareness.
Now we'll move on to a pranayama breathing technique called Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing.
Nadi Shodhana is a deeply restorative practice of breathing in through one nostril and out the other and then in through that same nostril and out the other repeating this pattern several times.
Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning channel or flow and Shodhana means purification.
This practice balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems with profound balancing and relaxation effects on the body.
I'll walk you through the practice.
Continue to sit in your comfortable seated position with eyes closed.
Resting your left arm on your left leg bring your right hand to your nose elbow down.
Your forearm is in close to the body in an almost vertical position.
Now close your right nostril with your thumb and breathe in deeply through your left nostril all the way to the top.
Hold a moment and then switch fingers closing the left nostril with the ring finger of your right hand releasing the thumb and exhale through the right nostril all the way to the bottom.
Hold a moment then with fingers in place inhale back up through the right nostril all the way to the top.
Hold then close your right nostril with your thumb release the left nostril and exhale out of your left side all the way to the bottom.
With fingers in place inhale back up through the left nostril at the top switch fingers again closing the left nostril with the ring finger and releasing the right exhaling all the way to the bottom.
Hold a moment then fingers in place inhale back up through the right nostril at the top hold a moment while you switch fingers closing the right nostril with your thumb and releasing the left.
Now exhale through the left nostril all the way to the bottom.
Repeat this pattern a few more times before releasing your hands to your thighs and returning to a normal breath.
Now we'll close out this practice with a grounding hand mudra called Bhu that's B-H-U or gesture of the earth.
Still in your comfortable seated position you may want to sit on a pillow or blanket to raise your hips a bit.
This allows your pelvis to tilt forward and your spine to straighten.
Bring your shoulders up to your ears and then release them down your back feeling your spine straighten even more effortlessly holding up the weight of your body.
Now look down at your hands and curl your pinky and ring fingers to the center of your palms and gently place your thumbs over them.
Now extend your first and middle fingers straight and stretch your arms to your sides reaching them towards the earth.
Your fingers may touch the ground here or just be moving in that direction.
Your arms aren't rigid or forced but there is a sense of intention in straightening them connecting you to the earth.
Straighten your spine again and relax your shoulders down the back.
Breathe.
This Bhu mudra connects us to the earth element the source of all safety abundance and life-force energy.
Breathe deeply into the belly counting to four.
Exhale slowly counting to six.
Exhale slowly counting to six.
With your hand mudra in place repeat this breath several more times.
Now release your hands gently resting them on your thighs.
Continue to breathe in deeply a few more times and then as you're ready return to a normal breath and flutter your eyes open.
Feeling a renewed sense of calm connection and confidence begin to move through your day or night with greater power and purpose fully embodying your muladhara root chakra energy.
As Rumi said maybe you are searching in the branches for what only appears in the roots.
Namaste.
