On this spiritual journey, we begin with the foundation in our yoga practice as a means to support our spiritual journey through the challenges ahead. The same is necessary when journeying through the energetic body. Mūlādhāra Cakra supports the entire energetic system and without a solid foundation in it, a student could get lost in the ethereal experiences of the higher cakras. It is of the utmost importance to guide students from the foundation of the energetic system first. Without a proper root, the practitioner could get lost in his or her own dilussions.
Mūlādhāra relates to the Earth and affects all dense, solid and earthy things:
- Our Body – Annamaya Kośa
- Our Health
- Our Survival
- Our Material Existence
- Our Monatary security
- Our place in society
- Our Home
When balanced and operating as awakened and nurtured, Mūlādhāra Cakra provides a solid connection to the root and confidence in who we are and our place in the world. We also feel confidence in facing challenges because we are firmly rooted in who we are and our abilities. Additionally, we will demonstrate:
- Independence and motivation to take necessary actions
- Inclusive behaviors
- See opportunity/possibility everywhere
- Generosity
- Satisfied with what is, as long as basic needs are met
When imbalanced and not properly nurtured, our lives feel uprooted, unstable, painful, fearful, uncertain, we are tethered to conditioned responses. Additional experiences can include:
- Anxiety
- Avoidance
- PTSD
- Worry
- Greed
- Over-powering desire to ‘Serve Me’
- Obesity
- Anorexia
- Sciatica
- Constipation
- Inability to focus
Mūlādhāra cakra is greatly affected during times of major lifes shifts and after a traumatic event:
- Moving
- Traveling
- Shift in primary relationships
- Trauma
- Change in employment or possibility of change in employment
When a student shares they are experiencing any of the above life shifts, or, they share they are experiencing and signs of an imbalanced Mūlādhāra Cakra, it would serve them to help them ‘feel grounded’ in their practice. Make sure their basic needs are met; they’re safe at home and are able to eat, and are getting some sleep. Share with them that this Root Center can get out of balance during times like these and guide them to feel Mūla Bandha as much as they can bear and eventually through their whole practice. Use gentle reminders throughout to ‘check-in’ on how they’re feeling and if they’re able to feel the engagement of mūla bandha. A student with an imbalance in Mūlādhāra Cakra will benefit from a more grounding approach to assisting. Here are some examples:
- Make sure their feet are ROOTED, and pressing firmly on the mat
- Cues to strengthen the legs, lift the kneecaps (as appropriate)
- Help them with balancing poses this day
- Don’t teach any new poses
- Avoid any assists that are extra re-organizing
- Avoid cuing them to ‘jump’ or lift too high
- Emphasize solid and strong connections
- Help the binds really seal
- Press the hands together when they reach them up
- Close the fingers of a single hand if they’re really spreading them while it’s lifted
- Help them with dropping back, if they can stand up on their own let them do it
This is part of guiding students on the spiritual journey of yoga, even if they’re only there for the physical component.