Week One: The Root Cakra

Location: The root cakra is located at the base of the spine at the perineum

Colour: Red

Element: Earth

Function: Survival, grounding

Inner State: Stillness, security, stability

Body Parts: Legs, feet, bones, large intestine, blood, immune system, adrenals

Malfunction: Weight problems, hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica, knee troubles…

(Wheels of Life)

If we were to begin the process of building a home, we would take the time to ensure the foundation was strong and stable. In sanskrit, this cakra is called muladhara and means root support. By engaging with the slow, earthy energy of this center, we can begin to establish a strong foundation for our individual spiritual journey. We often think that to become more conscious, we must become lighter…more intuitive, more perceptive, more ethereal. For our consciousness to expand, however, it is just as important to ground our experience. If we are able to be fully present in our human body, we provide the foundation necessary for emotional and energetic growth and expansion. As a society, we are very much “in our heads.” Our connection with nature, the earth, and even the needs of our own body is weakening. Spending time connecting to the root cakra can help to bring us back to balance.

Questions to ponder:

What belief patterns about food and eating did you inherit from your family? Are these belief patterns still valid for you?

Do you believe you have the right to high quality, nourishing foods on a daily basis?

What are the routines you’ve set up for yourself around eating?

Is there adequate time in your day to prepare food and feed yourself in the ways you would like? If not, could you make one simple change this week (e.g. get up 10 minutes earlier to eat breakfast; walk away from your desk at lunch etc.)?

Are you truly hungry when you eat? Can you begin to notice when you are hungry in the belly (physical) as opposed to hungry in the mind (emotional)?

Can you connect cravings with emotions (e.g. What is your dominant emotion when you’re craving salty foods? sweet foods? etc.)?

 

Practices to strengthen the root cakra:

When you are out walking, at work, or running errands, start to notice the colour red. Let it jump out at you!

Create a list of your belief patterns around food. Star the ones you wish to maintain; cross out the ones you wish to let go of over time; write down any new beliefs you wish to cultivate.

Eat sitting on the ground, or better yet, outside!

Sit under a tree and breath the strength of the roots into your body.

Walk barefoot.

Wear red jewelry, socks, underwear…

Connect with a family member this week.

Begin to notice which foods make you feel grounded and which foods make you feel ungrounded.

 

Foods to strengthen the root cakra:

As you go about your week, try to incorporate one of these foods into each meal. As you prepare and eat your meals, take the time to acknowledge that you are adding these foods in order to engage the energy of the earth, to strengthen your foundation in whatever way resonates with you, and to wake up the energy body!

Protein: This nutrient provides us with the raw materials necessary to support our physical structure. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, exist throughout the muscles, bones, and cells of our body.

Sources: beans and lentils (combine with a whole grain for a complete protein), almonds, cheese, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, yogurt, fish, walnuts, eggs, meat…

Root vegetables: What better way to connect with the earth than to eat foods that grow deep within the soil? Commonly consumed substances like sugar, caffeine, and alcohol are very expansive, feeding our tendency to be “in our heads.” Incorporating root vegetables is an effective way to counter this energy and ground our daily experience. For those of us who do not eat meat (which is very grounding), root vegetables are an important addition to balance fairly expansive vegetarian diets.

Sources: beets, carrots, garlic, ginger, leek, onions, sweet potatoes, radish, celery…

Red foods: Why not be playful and see how many creative ways you can bring red into your diet this week! Be conscious each time you eat red food so that your mind and energy body are connected in your efforts to engage the root cakra.

Sources: apples, blood oranges, cherries, cranberries, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, beets, tomatoes, red onion, red peppers, red cabbage, red meat

 

Recipes:

JUICE: Try juicing red apples, beets, ginger (the beets will keep the red colour even if you add some greens and lemon to support the liver)

SMOOTHIE: Blend some greens (spinach, kale…) with water. Add half a banana, a large handful of raspberries or strawberries and a scoop of protein powder. Ground some flaxseeds to support the large intestine.

CARROT-BEET SALAD:

2 ½ cups grated carrots

1 ½ cups grated beets

2/3 cup crumbled feta (or crumbled firm tofu)

½ tsp sea salt

1 ½ tsp dill weed

2 Tbsp wine vinegar or lemon juice

1 Tbsp flax oil

1 Tbsp olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss. May be prepared up to 1 hour before serving.

(Enlightened Eating)

 

RED QUINOA SALAD (variations on this salad are a staple at my house!):

2 cups cooked red quinoa (regular quinoa is fine too…), cooled

1 red pepper, diced

4 radishes, chopped

2 tomatoes, diced

red onion, chopped (to taste)

Sprinkle with sesame oil and Bragg liquid soy (or tamari)

Add feta or goat cheese, fresh herbs, and any other veggies you like (roasted sweet potatoes and beets are delicious!)

Enjoy a reflective, grounded week! Please let me know how you’re doing!

Love Dana

 

By Dana on April 8, 2012   /   Dana's Favourites, Featured, Nutrition, Recipes   /   4 Comments