Balancing our sense of safety
Working with our root energy center (chakra)
Hi friend,
This week, I’ve been struggling with some nagging fears and anxiety. I’ve spent a lot of time with my family of origin in the last weeks, which brings joys and challenges. And all of the attention to the election of the new pope and church hierarchy definitely activated old wounds. So I’m not surprised that I feel unsettled and old fears are arising.
I suspect that many of us have had experiences with headaches when we face vexing questions, or heartaches when deeply grieving, or stomachaches when we are nervous. When fear rises in me, I often have some kind of GI distress or pain in my feet and legs (especially the joints).
So in today’s Training Exercise, I’d love to explore how energy flows in our bodies and what happens when we experience disruptions or blockages. Most of my study and attunements have been the energy healing system of Reiki (pronounced ray-key), and I have been a reiki master for nearly 10 years. For me, reiki is part of a healing prayer process that I use with myself and clients and I’ll share more on that in a later post.
Our Energy Bodies
If you want a simple overview of the chakra energy system, Caroline Myss gives a great explanation of our energy bodies. As a medical intuitive, she has extensive experience with the ways our bodies react to disturbances in our energy bodies, and suggests different questions for self-examination.
Root Chakra or Energy Center - RED
The root chakra is found at the base of our spine, at our tailbones. When we think about all that “roots” mean, we have a good sense of this energy center - our family, sense of security and stability, our tribe, nation, religion. For those of us who have experience trauma in church or related to religion, there is often a family system component. When we feel disturbances in any of these parts of our beings, we may experience issues in our feet, ankles, knees, legs, or lower back and GI systems.
Our emotions may help us identify root chakra imbalances, especially if we feel fear, anxiety, anger, and aggression rising.
Thankfully, there are MANY training exercises we can practice to bring balance to this part of our physical and energy bodies. Here are a few suggestions for accessing your body’s innate healing wisdom through your senses.
Sight
Red is often called a “power” color and can be associated with aggression and war. However, red is also a vibrant, rich color of LIFE. If you struggle with fear and insecurity, especially related to your family of origin, religion, and nationality, consider bringing the color red into your visual awareness.
An easy way to do this is with fresh flowers. Especially in warmer months, cutting flowers in your garden or treating yourself to some fresh flowers can bring vitality and joy into your home. Or print a picture of a deep red sunset, or a field of poppies and tape it to your refrigerator. If you have red clothing, intentionally choose to wear it as you affirm “I AM” and “I BELONG.” Red can help us feel more alive and to connect with security that comes from within and not from the groups around us.
Sound
There are many ways that sound can help me bring balance to my root chakra. A simple, passive way is to listen to sound healing music that uses the frequencies that resonate with the root chakra. As I write this post, I’m listening to the above “Root Chakra Healing Music” track on YouTube.
A second, passive way to ground yourself in earth energy is to listen to sounds of nature. I also have my window open and can hear the birds and squirrels outside.
We can also work with simple mantras or affirmations to support our root chakra.
“I AM” or “I AM SAFE”
Taste
Adding red foods to your diet can be supportive of your root chakra. Apples, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelons, tomatoes, and red peppers can help restore a feeling of grounding and stability to your life.
Scent
The smell of ginger and cinnamon is one of the most comforting scent profiles for me. I love red hot candies and cinnamon gum, and often make a cup of tea with these warming spices.
Or diffusing the essential oils helps our bodies to settle and find security. Any of the oils made from tree resins or barks - like cedar, sandalwood or frankincense can help us connect to the feeling of having deep roots.
Movement
Walking, jogging and dancing are great ways to help energy flow freely in our root chakras. I love Dr. James Gordon’s “shaking and dancing practice” when I feel especially anxious. Here is an intro video about the practice.
And taking a walk in nature helps our nervous system calm down while balancing our root chakra, preferably while listening to the sounds of nature or something calming and not anything that would stir your anxiety.
Finally, various yoga postures can help me feel stable and grounded. I especially like mountain pose when I feel fearful and insecure.
If you struggle with fear and anxiety, especially related to trauma experienced in religious settings, I hope that these training exercises give you some ideas for how to help rebalance your energy body.
As always, I’d love to hear how you are doing and what you are experiencing.
Sending you abundant blessings,
Libby