Element: Earth
Color: Red
Goal: Self-Preservation
Young Living Essential Oils: Grounding, Present Time, Longevity
The first chakra is the Root Chakra associated with the Sacral-Coccygeal nerve plexus governing the reproductive system and the gonads in the endocrine system. The major issue is survival and it also relates to being in a physical body, safety, security, the ability to stand up for oneself, tribal information and relating to the material world.
Signs of Deficiency in the First Chakra
- Feeling disconnected from your body
- Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight (underweight)
- Feelings of fear, anxiety and difficulty settling
- Difficulty focusing and following through
- Difficulty with finances
- Poor boundaries
Signs of Excess in the First Chakra
- Overeating and obesity
- Hoarding and greed
- Overly focused on material possessions
- Feeling lazy, tired, fatigued
- Fear of change
- High need for security
- Rigid Boundaries
The imbalance of the subtle energy around the body shows up in the chakras. Remember they are like computers that receive and analyze all the information that comes in. This imbalance affects us emotionally and ultimately affects the physical health of the body.
Emotional issues related to the first chakra
- Inability to feel safe, secure and trust
- Inability to provide for oneself and others, to prosper
- Inability to stand up for oneself, to be grounded in clear beliefs
- Inability to feel settled, to nest and feel safe and connected to home
- Lack of connection with social norms, laws and order
- Depression and/or anxiety
Health issues that may arise from first chakra imbalances
- Immune related disorders
- Frequent illness
- Eating Disorders such as obesity or anorexia
- Disorders of the bones and teeth
- Disorders of the bowel, anus, large intestine, such as rectal tumors and cancer
- Problems with the Legs including varicose veins
- Lower back pain and sciatica
- Problems with the base of the spine, buttocks, legs, knees and feet
Here are some Grounding Exercises to help Balance the First Chakra
Sit and image a grounding cord going down from the base of your spine into the center of the earth. This grounding cord can be like a waterfall, a tree trunk or a beam of light. Sense the grounding cord going down all the way through the earth to the fiery center of Mother Earth. Release Energy down your grounding cord starting at the top of your head, down your neck and the channels on either side of your spine, all the way down your grounding cord to the center of the Earth. Take a deep breath and continue to release energy keeping this grounding cord attached near the base of your spine and the center of the earth. With practice you will begin to stay grounded. My Chakra Clearing CD provides a 12 minute grounding exercise and a 44 minute chakra clearing.
Spend some time in nature. Be around the trees or the water. Sit yourself down on the earth and breath. Take your shoes off and feel the earth under your feet.
For calming and self soothing, Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) is helpful. With your fingertips tap gently on the outside of your right leg and then on the outside of your left leg, then back and forth. You can do this on the top of your thighs as well. The tapping can be done at the pace of your heart beat (da, dum…da, dum…). This tapping on your legs is called puppy pats. You can also cross your arms gently around your chest and tap on one arm and then the other.
Eating root vegetables is helpful for grounding. Organic are best because they take their nutrients from the soil in which they are grown. Grilling and roasting root vegetables are healthy and delicious. Protein rich meals in general are grounding.
Exercise is helpful for grounding. Be aware of being in your body when you exercise; be aware of the bottom of your feet when you walk or run, have your awareness in each movement when you do aerobics or dance. Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong are all helpful for grounding.
Receiving in a healthy way is very important to first chakra healing. Allow yourself to get a massage, Reiki or reflexology. If you have difficulty being touched, find a massage therapist who specializes in working with clients who have abandonment or abuse issues from childhood. Cuddle with a good friend, spouse, lover, child, grandchild or a treasured pet.
Essential Oils
Try these blends to assist in balancing the first chakra. Remember for medical issues, it is important for you to contact your medical provider.
Although you can find essential oils elsewhere, I have chosen these for their purity and high quality.
Grounding
A relaxing and balancing blend of essential oils that provides a stabilizing influence. Emotional chaos can lead to poor decisions. Grounding helps you cope with reality in a positive manner.*
Essential oils: white fir, angelica, spruce, cedarwood, juniper, ylang ylang, pine
Present Time
An empowering fragrance that heightens the sense of being “in the moment”. Concentrating on the past can be counterproductive. You can go forward and progress when you focus on present time.*
Essential oils: neroli, spruce, ylang ylang
Longevity
Contains oils that rank among the most powerful antioxidants known. Antioxidants are elements that help to neutralize free radicals and lessen the day-to-day oxidative damage. Antioxidants are thought to protect the skin by attaching themselves to free radicals which minimizes the harm they do and is important for youthful looking skin. Longevity contains ingredients that score a very high 1,500,000 on the ORAC scale. Caution: Avoid direct sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.*
Essential oils: thyme, clove, orange, frankincense
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.