First Chakra

The Base, Root in Sanskrit, Muladhara (root/support) is the source of life's connection with the physical. It is the place of grounding, the link to the planet. This Chakra is located at the base of the spine.

Chakra one focuses its energies toward the life function needs of the body: food, material needs, life and death issues are located here.

The emotions associated with this chakra are issues around having enough, physical security whether food to sustain the body or money to live securely in the world, these issues are associated with this chakra.

It is the energy of the animal that wishes to survive. It is out of balance when perceptions of the security of survival are questioned.

It is a place of great appetites. Its association with the physical makes this chakra the center of enjoyment of physical pleasures and satisfaction with life in this world. When it is functioning properly, there are feelings of security, physical health and trust.

Out of balance, this chakra causes great insecurity and inability to experience pleasure. A failure to balance this area will often result in problems of limited supply for the physical needs and anxieties in that area or great fear of this. Its physical manifestation is in the bowels. This is associated with fear of insufficient supply.

This Chakra's color is a vivid red.

Gemstones colored red or black or a combination apply to this chakra, like: ruby, garnet, smoky quartz, obsidian, onyx, jet, hematite, bloodstone, or red jasper. Gems worn at this chakra help us ground and get in touch with the earth and its supply.