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Muladhara Chakra – The Root Chakra

Like the stained glass windows of a cathedral, which preserve in pictoral form, the knowledge and wisdom of medieval philosophy, the seven main chakras of the Kundalini system contain in their rich and complex imagery, a virtual encyclopedia of human consciousness and spiritual life, says Arleen Francois

The symbols used in depicting the chakras are taken from Indian mythology – conches, tridents, lotus, serpents – and on the surface seem alien to our Western way of thinking, but the meaning behind the symbols is universal.

In Hatha yoga practice, we work on a physical level to open joints, stretch muscles, strengthen the bones and release unnecessary tension, but at a deeper level, whether we recognise it or not, we are working on the subtler energies of the body, in particular with the energies of the chakras, along the spine.

According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine in Muladhara chakra must be awakened and made to ascend through the centre of the spinal column until it reaches the crown of the head. On its progress upwards, this force passes through the chakras, where stress tends to accumulate and obstruct its passage. The function of asana is to open the chakras to allow this force to flow freely.

Muladhara Chakra

Position: Base of the spine (genitals)
Colour: Red
Sound: Lam
Centre: Physical energy and vitality
Gland/Organ: Testes/Ovaries
Sense: Smell

Muladhara chakra is the earth chakra – the base, the foundation – and is located at the perineum, the area between the anus and genitals, sometimes referred to as the “pelvic floor”.

Muladhara is concerned with survival in this world and how the outside world affects the inner world through the senses. The undeveloped human is sensual, first directed to food by smell. Smell also creates sexual excitement. If the quest for knowledge is sincere however, the sensitivity of the sense of smell can become so refined that there may be the perception of a Divine Presence by the smell of a fragrance resembling roses or violets, or the delicate scent of incense such as sandalwood.

“As above, so below”: the root chakra corresponds to the crown chakra. By awakening Muladhara, you are increasing the subtle energies throughout your being.

The Symbol

THE CIRCLE – denotes completeness or perfection.
THE SQUARE – is the symbol of the element earth. Not only is Muladhara the first chakra, the foundation of all other chakras, but it is itself a beginning. It is like building the foundation of one’s house – if the plans have not been well drawn, if the groundwork is sloppy and careless, the foundation will not support the structure. Similarly, one’s life must have a good foundation – careful preparation and planning is necessary.
THE TRIANGLE – is the symbol of the female sex. In this chakra, the triangle pointing downwards indicates that the power comes from above. Within the triangle is a linga, the symbol for the male sex. Around the linga is a serpent coiled three and a half times and this represents energy expressed in three different ways: sattva is purity, rajas is activity and passion and tamas stands for inertia and darkness. The half coil combines all three and indicates the interplay of these forces.
THE WHITE ELEPHANT WITH SEVEN TRUNKS – In the beginning man is clumsy and heavy like an elephant, trampling everything underfoot. Our preconceived ideas do the same thing. The seven trunks stand for the seven most powerful negative characteristics and also the seven most powerful ones. The elephant is an exceptionally strong animal and strength is needed to overcome the difficulties encountered along the spiritual path as many human drives have great strength. The elephant is also known to be stubborn, unforgetting and revengeful. Yet the whiteness of the elephant stands for the fact that every human being is divine.

Asanas for Muladhara Chakra
Baddha Konasan (Bound Angle Pose/also known as The Butterfly) relates specifically to the root chakra. In so many classes, the object of the Bound Angle Pose seems to be “Get Those Knees Down Onto The Floor”… or else! But, this is bypassing the essence of the asana. Rather, as a theme for your practice, explore how “Drawing The Perineum Into Your Body” affects your other poses – standing, sitting, inverted and backbends.

Start with the Bound Angle Pose and instead of giving yourself the instruction “Press Knees To The Floor” hear the instruction “Draw The Perineum Into Your Body”. Feel your buttocks responding by becoming firm, the sitting bones move toward each other, the pelvis and spinal column are lifted from underneath and the legs (which would have been the only parts to respond to the first instruction) enjoy a strong movement to the whole being, not just the body.

When the image is used in standing poses, the legs become stronger (very helpful for those who are flexible but weak around the thighs) and the spinal column extends. In balancing poses it gives greater stability and, in backbends, it increases the lift in the pelvis.

You are not commanding yourself to clench a muscle – the image of lifting from deep within awakens a total response that grows from inside rather than being imposed from the outside.

By Arlene Francois