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What is Mooladhara Chakra?

Mooladhara Chakra is the lowest of a series of 7 energy centres that run vertically through the human body down the spinal chord. In Yoga and traditional Indian medicine the body is believed to have channels of energy which, if blocked, will cause illness and disease. These channels are called Nadis, and according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika there are 172,000 Nadis running around our bodies. The purpose of Yoga postures and breathing practices is to unblock the channels so that our energy flows freely.

Similar energy channels or pathway structures can be found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Accupunture and reflexology.

The most important of these pathways is Sushumna which runs down the spinal chord. When other channels cross over Sushumna there is an increase in energetic activity and this creates a wheel or Chakra (the Sanskrit term).

The physical position of Mooladhara Chakra is thought to be in the centre of the pelvic floor, although this differs depending on yogic tradition, and could potentially differ from person to person. One great exercise for connecting to Mooladhara (sometimes called the Root Chakra) is Moolabanda, where you draw up the pelvic floor (you can read more about how to practice Moolabanda here).

The element that relates to this Chakra is the Earth. If this energy within us is out of balance then we can feel unsettled and insecure. This is the Chakra that need the basics to be covered – shelter, food, warmth, rest – and when they are in short supply this energy is depleted.

It’s important to have the basics covered, to feel secure and that you have somewhere to relax and be yourself; in this way you’ll be able to keep Mooladhara balanced and happy.

A Meditation on Mooladhara

Sit comfortably, relax the legs and feel your connection to the floor.

Be still, feel the weight of the body sinking down.

Feel the pelvic floor and imagine that there is a glowing red ball of light there.

Stay with this for some time.

Now move your awareness to the ground you are sitting on and imagine you are sitting upon a yellow square.

Stay with this for some time

Leave the yellow square and think of all the things that the Earth gives to you for free – fresh air, lakes, mountains, home grown vegetables, trees, grass, hedgerow plants and berries. Give thanks for all these things and pledge to visit one today.

For more work on Mooladhara Chakra you can visit this site

You can do Moolabandha (pelvic floor exercises) anywhere once you get the hang of them. But to learn them sit on the floor – ideally in a cross legged position. You can learn more about sitting comfortably in this post

First of all get comfy and relax. Let your body and mind know that you are doing something a bit new and different but that it will be good for you!

Now focus on your breathing. Let it be soft and gentle, in and out through the nose.

Next, take your awareness down to your pelvic floor and, as you breath in, draw up the pelvic floor. Then as you breathe out, relax and let go. Keep going like this. This is the basic pelvic floor exercise or Moolabandha as we say in Yoga.

As with all Yoga, start simple and don’t strain. Build up gradually, adding more repetitions or doing say 3 sets per day. This exercise will help with a number of common ailments such as stress incontinence.

You can develop the pelvic floor exercises in a few different ways.

Equal inhale and exhale

First of all equalise the breath – count the same number for the inhale and the exhale.

Then begin to work the Moolabandha/pelvic floor area in unison with the breath.

Holding the contraction

Watching the breath first and becoming relaxed.

Drawing up the pelvic floor and holding the contraction for 3 to 5 breaths then releasing.

You can learn about Mooladhara Chakra on this website

Gratitude – some say is the perfect antidote to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I think being grateful is uplifting and healthy and for that reason I highly recommend it to you.

As a practice, gratitude can ease stress, boost happiness and even potentially improve health. In our sessions this term we have been giving thanks for the Earth. We’ve included our own little corner – Rutland – and all the 4 directions.

I invite you to bring gratitude into your yoga practice with these quotes. It can be a beautiful way to begin or end your time on your mat:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” ~ Charles Dickens

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

“Forget yesterday–it has already forgotten you. Don’t sweat tomorrow–you haven’t even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift–today.” Steve Maraboli

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” ~ G.K. Chesterton

If you would like to see more quotes on gratitude you can find some here.

Another site with lovely poetry is Mindful Living.

Enjoy!

Over the summer I took a trip to Peterborough Cathedral (well actually 2 because the first time we got the date wrong!) to see an installation of a model of the Earth, “Gaia”. It was a fantastic sight especially as the light faded. The 7 meter diameter model gently rotated and was a view of the Earth from space using detailed imagery provided by NASA.

I know we have all seen this stuff on the TV, but to be in the presence of our planet looking up at it and down on it was an incredible experience. Just to see how much water we have on the Earth’s surface was a surprise to me and how tiny the UK actually is.

The model is awe inspiring – it was wonderful to spend time sitting quietly and reflecting on the natural wonders of our world. It made me feel very humble.