Quote of the day: “The results you are looking for are hidden in the work you are avoiding”
Sometimes in putting in the effort to heal the root chakra, we can become aware and finally understand how our mentality has the power to affect our emotions, habits, and the relationships we hold with ourselves and others.
The past four articles have been transformational for me. Certainly, the first step to making a change is shifting our mindset that will allow us to incorporate the necessary foundation for a healthier and more spiritual life. Some of the ways we can start is by journaling, following up with a nutritionist for a diet that works for you. Another way that can improve the root chakra is through meditation.
In this post, I wanted to focus on how it works. How meditation has a connection to our emotions, and the role it plays in healing the root chakra. If you are new to this practice, let’s start at the beginning.
- What is Meditation?
Meditation is a mind-body-soul technique used to bring calmness to your spiritual being, awareness to your mind, and cultivates physical wellbeing to your body by the chemical messages it receives from your brain. During meditation we can declutter our mind of un-serving thoughts and we can focus on one specific goal.
For example, as parents we might spend a lot of time worrying about our kids getting hurt, or perhaps, the million things we need to accomplish on any given day. This worry/anxiety turns into fear the more you feed it. That fear keep us in “fight or flight” (fight your enemy or flee from danger – always on high alert) mode. Over extended periods, this self-induced stress can drain our minds, and bodies. As a result, it can manifest as illnesses and mental conditions such as depression, and anxiety.
There are multiple types of meditation – Guided, Mindfulness, Chakra, Mantra-based, just to name a few. All involve taking the time center your-self and being present in the moment.
- How stress unbalances the root chakra?
The root chakra is located at the base of your spine. This energy center rules all aspects of security related to our survival, to our sense of grounding and connection to this physical plane. When this chakra is blocked, you may experience anxiety, depression, digestive problems, and weight gain/weight loss.
Our body communicates with our brain through the nervous system. Under conditions of stress our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activates to prepare us for danger. Our heart rate increases, pupils dilate, and it sends signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, and cortisol hormones. The cortisol hormone is responsible for regulating the body’s stress response, metabolism, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Higher levels of this chemical in the body can lead to chronic stress. The problem is we are constantly under stress due to our non-stop daily routines.
In contrast, through meditation we are practicing calming our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and activating our parasympathetic system (PNS), a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress). Once this system is triggered, it allows our body to rest and release any accumulated anxiety. Hence, allowing our mind to concentrate in one thing – such as our mantra, or our affirmations, intentions, visualization, and our breathing. Our thoughts are being brought back, and we start feeling a sense of peace in the now.
Meditation is one tool to help you balance this energy center. The purpose of meditation depends on the person. It could be used to achieve mindfulness, some use it to heal trauma, or maybe a chance to connect spiritually. Whatever the reason, meditation could help you bring balance to your root chakra by reducing stress.
- What happens in our brain during meditation?
During meditation we can’t notice what’s happening inside our brain, but thanks to modern technology neuroscientist can now observe changes through the use (fMRI) scans. Studies indicate the part of the brain that produces those feelings of anxiety, stress, and “fight or flight” response – the amygdala, appears to shrink in size.
As one part of the brain gets smaller, another one area activates – the Left Hippocampus – the part of the brain that helps us learn and process verbal memories (conversations, dialogue, written works). It also helps with retention of facts, and increases mindful behavior.
Another thing happens when we meditate, brain scans show that the prefrontal cortex thickens grey matter in our brain. Grey matter throughout our central nervous system controls movement, memory and regulates emotions. The greater the volume, the better the performance in regulating positive emotions such as happiness, and gratitude. The lower the volume the more difficult it will be to control emotions of anger and aggression.
A study that included 30 healthy adults found that “Poorer Attention to Emotion was associated with lower gray matter volume in clusters distributed primarily throughout the frontal lobe, with peak correlation in the left medial frontal gyrus. Poorer Mood Repair was related to lower gray matter volume in three clusters in frontal and inferior parietal areas, with peak correlation in the left anterior cingulate.”
As we incorporate meditation in our daily routine, we are playing an active role in allowing neuroplasticity in our brain to change and adapt to new behavior.
- Meditation to Heal the Root Chakra
To bring balance to root chakra, we must try to build a connection to our inner-selves. Above all, remember that feeling safe, at peace, and joy begins and ends with you. I will show you the technique I use to meditate.
First, set your safe place. Some people light candles, incense and play soothing music. This while it relaxes any tension in your body is not necessary for meditation. It is just a matter of preference.
Next, set timer to 10 – 15 minutes in a quiet/private setting.
Third, find a comfortable position, I like to use the Lotus pose – this is when you sit cross-legged, and each foot is placed in opposite thigh. Please be aware that if you are just beginning, you may not be able to hold this pose for long periods of time. Do not force your body to hold this pose, instead get your body use to it by practicing in shorts increments until stretching becomes more natural and relaxed.
Now, we may use our root chakra mudra – The Gyan. A mudra, sankrit: “seal”, “mark” or “gesture”, is a symbolic hand practice involving positioning fingers in a specific way for a ritual such as yoga or meditation. To practice the Gyan mudra, allow the tips of your thumbs to touch the tips of your index fingers. Relax the rest of fingers and place palms of your hands on top of your knees.
Our centering thought for grounding and balance during mediation will be – “I am safe in this moment” and “I am open and ready to love and accept myself unconditionally”.
Mantra: “LAM”
Follow these steps for root chakra meditation:
- Begin by closing your eyes
- Focus on your breathing – Inhaling though your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Allow your mind to concentrate in taking deep breaths.
- Introduce your centering thought: “I am safe in this moment”. Imagine getting rooted to the earth – feeling safe in your own body. Repeat this several times.
- It is time to recite your mantra: LAM. Visualize the color red and continue to repeat the sacred word. Imagine this red light traveling to the lower part of your spine.
If you start getting distracted by any physical sensations, or your thoughts begin to wander, it is okay to recompose yourself. Refocus by going back to steps 2-4.
- Set your intentions by envisioning your goals and dreams. Feel the peace and the joy as you are opening yourself to give and receiving those blessings.
- Finalize with your affirmation: “I am open and ready to love and accept myself unconditionally”
- Once you hear the sound of the bell/alarm, you may take a deep breath and open your eyes when you’re ready.
- Close your session with a grateful heart – Namaste.
It is necessary to note, there isn’t one specific way to meditate. As you become more experienced, you may tweak and find a way that works best for you. This is just an example. I also have other techniques based different types of meditation.
- Final Thoughts
I learned to meditate through Deepak and Oprah’s – 21 day meditation experience, about 12 years ago. At that time I introduced my youngest son, Jordan, a seven year old at that time to meditate. I remember one day I documented the moment by taking a picture of him. I remember him saying: “Mom, the purpose of life is to live a happy life, and mom, I have lived a very happy life so far”. Hard to believe such wise words were coming from a child. I did not realize how influential meditation was to his small self, an opportunity for him to learn how to master his emotions. Ten years later, I understand what was happening inside his brain that would cause him feel and interpret those words.
However, it is really interesting to me when I come across people who do not – and cannot meditate. If you are part of the group who has difficulty meditating, you are not alone. There is nothing wrong with you, many people have recounted adverse effects. The mind is fragile and only you can determine if it helps you or negatively impacts your health. If you suffer from a mental health condition, you may want to consult your doctor first as this may trigger your trauma. I see you and hear you. I will touch on alternatives in later posts.
In conclusion, we have to incorporate this practice to our daily lives to take full advantage of the long lasting benefits. It helps to remember you won’t always feel enlighten. Sometimes, you’ll have to just practice until one day without noticing you have mastered it. The process of becoming the person you want to be will require lots of patience, devotion, and your ability to want to get better. Just take the first step and the rest will fall into place. All in divine timing – In love and in light.
Writers Notes: A special thanks for to my sister – Diana, who served as my model for the lotus pose. Please stop by to her instagram or her athletic apparel store www.olivafitnessco.com. Thank you all for reading.