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Muladhara Chakra - the root chakra What are chakras? The term "chakra" translates as "wheel" and refers to energy centers, which also run in a circular pattern. Chakras can be open or closed and are considered centers of subtle life energies. These are repositories of energy forces and energy centers. A chakra is a state of consciousness and conveys a feeling of joy or bliss. A goddess or god reigns within each chakra, with each chakra represented by a specific animal species. A chakra has a fixed number of petals, which represent the nadis. Colors, mantras, and bijas address the individual petals. What is the Muladhara Chakra? The Muladhara Chakra is one of the seven main chakras and is located in the lowest region, which is why it is also called the root chakra. The name Muladhara Chakra is composed of mula (root) and ahara (support). The chakra is located at the very base of the spine. The inner color of the Muladhara Chakra is yellow to ochre yellow and is said to represent the color of the earth. The Muladhara Chakra is the seat of the earth element, which is called Prithivi Tattwa. The root chakra has four petals, which are also called main nadis, i.e. energy channels. The petals of the chakra are red, and the yantra is a square. The elephant-headed god Ganesha rules the chakra and symbolizes endurance, blessings, firmness, and the beginning. The god Brahma is the creator and also rules the chakra, which is why the chakra can be considered the root chakra of all creation. The goddess in the Muladhara chakra is Dakini, who sits on a red lotus. The goddess Dakini sometimes shines in white, but mostly in red. Her beautiful face with three eyes is complemented by four arms, a trident, a staff, and a skull. Similar to the god Brahma, the goddess is often depicted with a drinking vessel and a swan. The Muladhara chakra controls the sense of smell, which absorbs odors via particles. The chakra animal is the elephant. No wonder: This is the heaviest and largest mammal in the world. Interesting facts about the Muladhara Chakra The Muladhara Chakra is endowed with particularly positive qualities. The qualities most commonly attributed to the Muladhara Chakra are balance, endurance, calmness, consistency, thrift, a sense of reality, common sense, and adherence to principles. The motivations of the Muladhara Chakra are eating, sleeping, and drinking—in other words, everything related to self-preservation. At the apex of the Muladhara Chakra is the Brahma Granthi, which represents the difficulty of transitioning from a physical to a subtle perception. The chakra can be activated in various ways. The chakra can be strengthened with special meditations. These primarily include visualizations of mountains, trees, and roots. Strengthening can also occur through affirmations such as "I am well-rooted" or "I find access to my roots." The same applies to special pranayamas and mantras . Performing the required meditations requires time and experience. With increased concentration and a trained body and mind, the effect of meditation can be significantly increased, leading to a better connection to the chakra. The Muladhara Chakra is the foundation of the human energy center. The Muladhara Chakra is the origin of the Kanda, the root tuber. The chakra is the origin of the three main nadis, which is why the released energy travels up the subtle spine. As the seat of the human cosmic energy, the chakra is exceedingly powerful. It must be extremely strong for the powerful Kundalini to rise within it. Image © zhanna26 / 123rf.com

Chakra meditation for a balanced energy center Even though the chakras are invisible, just like our souls, they have played a special role in healing and spirituality for thousands of years. Chakras can be described as subtle energy vortices. Life energy flows through these highly sensitive energy centers. Chakra meditation is very suitable for promoting one's own well-being. Certain meditation techniques enable the seven main chakras to function properly again and activate life energies. You feel how the meditation exercises positively influence the chakras, blockages are released, and life energy can flow freely. Seven main chakras are located along the vertical axis of our spine. Chakras are like receiving stations that distribute very different forms of energy throughout our bodies. Energies from the environment and from other people are absorbed and transformed. Thoughts and sensations can thus be perceived, and our bodies continue to develop. What does chakra meditation mean? Chakra meditation is the right method to cleanse, stimulate, and heal our chakras, but above all, to open them. Stress, grief, disappointments, or the intense pressures of everyday life drain our energy. Constantly recurring negative thoughts and sensations also burden the chakras. With chakra meditation, we can bring our subtle organs into harmony and improve and maintain their function. Problems and disturbances are detected in this way and you can see which chakras are affected. Chakras are opened through meditation and blockages are removed. Deep-seated fears, illnesses, unpleasant feelings, or traumas are detected. Chakra Meditation – also suitable for beginners You'll certainly need a little practice to get into chakra meditation. But it's much easier than most of us think. First, it's important to ground ourselves. Imagine fine roots growing from your feet and hands into the soil and anchoring themselves there. Afterwards, a warm, protective light surrounds you. Now think of the crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head. It absorbs light energy and allows this light energy to flow through our heart chakra and exit again. You feel the flow of energy and allow the light energy to flow through all your chakras. You begin with the topmost crown chakra, then the brow chakra, the throat chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the sacral chakra, and finally the root chakra. Through the visual light energy you create a light source that illuminates your body and your aura. Anyone can perform this simple basic exercise, whether beginner or advanced. The chakras are stimulated or opened and unhealthy energy vortices are balanced. If you practice this exercise regularly, the energy flow in the chakras can improve significantly. Harmonizing all the chakras requires some experience, but you'll soon notice a significant improvement in your energy system. Chakra meditation – for a special sense of well-being We should not only pay attention to our physical body, but also be mindful of our energy bodies and chakras. Chakra meditation is the heart of our chakra work. Each chakra has a very specific significance for our well-being. When we practice chakra meditation, we perceive and sense the various chakras. New realms of perception open up to us. Blockages, illnesses, traumas, and their causes can be resolved through more conscious interaction. Therefore, chakra meditations are intended to promote not only spiritual growth but also inner self-healing. A specific breathing technique supports energy work with the aim of relaxing, opening and cleansing the chakras, and energizing. Through chakra meditation we learn to treat our body, mind and soul more mindfully. Image © tommasolizzul / 123rf.com

Heart Chakra Meditation Definition of chakras In traditional Hindu and Buddhist concepts, as well as in yoga, chakras are considered energy centers located along the body's central longitudinal axis. There are seven different main chakras. The perspective on the chakras varies somewhat depending on the underlying teaching. The key commonality is the assumption that various physical and mental symptoms, as well as organ regions, can be associated with the chakras, which are influenced by blockages on the one hand and openings on the other. The consumption of certain teas, herbs, foods and aromas is considered just as helpful for balancing chakras as meditation or the use of special healing stones. The heart chakra The heart chakra is the fourth chakra and generally represents love, affection, empathy, security, and the kindness of the heart. It is located in the center of the chest at heart level. It is associated with the color light green and the element air. The heart chakra lies exactly in the middle of the seven chakras and is considered the link between the three upper and three lower chakras. From a spiritual perspective, it is also understood as the connection between the worldly and spiritual realms. The heart chakra is associated with various themes, including forgiveness, surrender, the ability to trust, and the ability to feel pain. Karma is also associated with the heart chakra. Physically, the heart and lungs, as well as the chest, circulatory system, and immune system, are connected to the heart chakra. The more open and sensitive the chakra, the more beneficial the positive influence on the corresponding organs. Heart chakra meditation during yoga A heart chakra meditation can look different depending on the particular yoga school. Every yogi who offers a corresponding meditation offers their own variation. What they all have in common is the effort to open the heart chakra. To do this, it's important to release any blockages and free yourself from stress. For meditation, it is essential to choose a quiet and undisturbed place. The sitting position is either the lotus position or the cross-legged position. The hands are placed loosely on the thighs. If you wish, you can open them with the palms facing up, but the back of the hands in the upper position is also fine. Close your eyes, and gently and as relaxed as possible, focus your attention on the position of the heart chakra. It is helpful to first get a feel for the current situation. Are there any disturbing influences or pain, light or heavy feelings? Fantasizing about light and brightness in general can help open the heart chakra. In your imagination, you can let the light flow through your heart and chest. The image of brightness will automatically lead to the chakra gradually opening. Helpful meditation exercises in motion In addition to light imagination, various breathing exercises ( pranayama ) are considered essential for opening the chakra. These are performed in conjunction with opening the chest. To do this, sit and breathe calmly, spreading your arms out at chest height. As you inhale, the arms are extended outward and then brought together again as you exhale. Another exercise is performed while standing. Here, the eyes are open, and the focus is initially on a calm flow of breathing. Both hands are placed on the heart chakra. Feel the rhythm of the heartbeat with the palms. As you exhale, both arms are moved horizontally forward and the right leg is placed forward. As you inhale, return to the starting position. Furthermore, all exercises based on backbends are helpful for opening the heart chakra. The classic sun salutation , which has an activating and invigorating effect, is also considered an ideal exercise for opening the heart chakra. Yoga beginners are recommended to take a guided chakra meditation. This not only explains the position of the heart chakra, but also teaches a number of helpful meditation exercises that can be practiced together. Image © goku347 / 123rf.com