Demotivated? Your Root Chakra May Be Blocked. Here’s How to Heal It

The root chakra is the first of the seven chakras in chakra tradition: the red energy centre at the base of the spine, associated with feeling grounded, safe and secure. When people call it "blocked" or "unbalanced", they usually mean feeling restless, impatient, flat or out of sorts. This guide explains what the root chakra is, what a blocked one is said to feel like, and which red, brown and black crystals people pair with it, such as hematite, obsidian and smoky quartz. It is a belief tradition and not a claim about your body.

What Is the Root Chakra?

According to the religious tradition of India, every person has an energy system called the chakras. These are described as spinning vortices of energy linked with our vitality, intellect, self-expression and worldview.

The 7 chakras run from the base of the spine to the top or crown of the head (although there's no scientific evidence that confirms their existence).

The root chakra is the first of these energy centres. It's also called the base chakra. In Sanskrit, it is known as muladhara, a compound word meaning root (mula) and support (adhara). The root chakra is believed to be located on the perineum, the spot between the anus and genitals.

So, what is the function of the root chakra?

It is said to generate the energy we need to accomplish physical achievements and to live our daily lives, according to Dirish Shaktidas, a chakra healer and yoga teacher. In other words, it is the driving force behind our physical energy. The root chakra is represented by the colour red.

Chakra writers say that the root chakra is where our connection to the earth begins. It is linked with the connections we've formed with nature and the people around us since we were born.

The root chakra is also important because it shapes our feelings of safety, security, groundedness, instincts, and the will to live. It also nurtures our connection to humans, animals, and plants.

Why Is It Important to Have a Balanced Root Chakra?

When your root chakra is balanced, you are grounded to your inner strength and to the present. You are energetic, self-confident, calm, and ready for anything life throws at you.

At a time where your personal life and the affairs of the world can zap out your joy and peace, it's necessary to stay centred and grounded.

A balanced root chakra is associated with:

• Emotional stability and security
• Optimism
• Feeling grounded to self and with others
• Open mindedness
• The ability to care for yourself
• A sense of acceptance of self and belonging
• Focus and concentration
• The ability to be present in the moment
• Dependability and trustworthiness
• The will to live

In chakra tradition, an imbalanced root chakra is linked with fear, confusion, discontent and a feeling of being disconnected from your true self. Chakra writers also say that growing up in an unsafe or unstable home can leave this chakra feeling unsteady.

Chakra writers also describe an imbalanced root chakra as showing up emotionally and spiritually as lack of motivation, negativity and cynicism, living in survival mode, existential doubt, and difficulty trusting that the universe will provide.

The root chakra teaches us to take good care of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Crystals are a personal ritual and not a substitute for care from a qualified professional, so reach out for professional help if you feel unwell.

There are many ways to work with and balance your root chakra, from meditation to walking barefoot outdoors. Crystals are among the most popular.

Using Crystals With Your Root Chakra

Crystals are popular tools for working with all of your chakras. Various rocks, minerals and gemstones are paired with the root chakra because they come from the Earth, which makes them natural symbols of grounding. See our chakra stones for the range.

The root chakra is strongly related to the colour red, but it's also associated with dark Earth colours like brown, black, and gray.

When choosing crystals for your root chakra, pick those in these colours. In chakra tradition they bring grounding energy up through the feet.

8 Crystals for the Root Chakra

Chakra writers recommend working with the following stones for the root chakra (if you are new to chakra work, it may help to ask an experienced practitioner to guide you):

1. Cuprite - With its fiery red colour, cuprite is linked in crystal lore with the will to live and thrive. People choose it when they want a stone for energy and enthusiasm, and its dense vibrations are said to bring a fresh zest for life.

2. Hematite - Like a magnet, hematite is said to pull your energies together and reconnect you with reality. It is associated with safety and security, and with balancing the root chakra.

3. Obsidian - A go-to stone for people who want to let go of unwanted energy. In crystal lore it stands for the strength and courage to release distractions, past hurts and unresolved issues, and to live in the present.

4. Jasper - A nurturing stone in crystal lore, linked with emotional support in stressful times and with protecting your aura so you can stay undaunted in the face of challenges.

5. Garnet - Red garnet is another grounding stone that stands for strength and regeneration. People reach for it in times of grief and low spirits, and it is associated with passion, energy and emotional stability.

6. Moqui marble - This chocolate-coloured rock is associated with releasing emotional weight and warding off evil spirits. The earth energy of moqui marbles is said to be so strong that you feel it the instant you meditate with them.

7. Smoky quartz - In crystal lore, this ultimate grounding crystal balances yin and yang energies, which are said to be necessary for your root chakra to thrive. It is also associated with calming anger and other overpowering emotions.

8. Petrified wood - It is a natural wood that transformed into stone after thousands or millions of years of permineralization. People meditate with petrified wood as a symbol for working through deep-seated experiences.

How to Use Crystals for Root Chakra Work

Here are some ways people incorporate root chakra crystals into a meditation:

• Tumbled stones, raw/polished crystals - Lie face down and place the crystals at the base of your spine.
• Massage wands - Massage the base of your spine.
• Crystal eggs - Hold an egg in each hand. Visualize your root chakra opening.
• Assorted crystals - Form a crystal grid and lie inside it so that you are surrounded by root chakra crystals.

When you're doing any of these, visualize yourself taking root into the core of the earth (imagine yourself like a tree growing sturdily).

Then paint an image of a ball of red light in your mind (this is your root chakra). Imagine the light getting bigger and stronger as your crystals fill your root chakra with strength.

You can also recite out loud some positive affirmations to use while focusing on this chakra, such as:

• I am safe.
• I am secure.
• I am at peace with the present moment.
• I am at home in my body.
• The earth supports and nourishes me.

Final Word

In chakra tradition, the root chakra is the hotspot of grounding energy in the chakra system, and when it is thrown off balance, the rest of the chakras are said to follow. Being the foundational chakra, it is the first energy centre to work on before moving on to the others.

If you stock chakra crystals for your customers, Stonebridge Imports is a Canadian wholesaler with no minimum order. Browse our crystal options for chakra work.

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