Rooted in Presence: Exploring the Base Chakra

If we’re to heal, grow, or evolve in any way, we need to land energetically in the body. This is the invitation of the Base Chakra.

🌱 The Foundation of the Energy Body

Known in Sanskrit as Muladhara, the base or root chakra sits at the base of the spine and governs our sense of safety, belonging, and survival. It’s the grounding point of our Soul’s connection to earth—a powerful anchor linking us to all living things. It represents our most instinctive will to survive, and our ability to feel secure in the world.

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In Esoteric Healing, the base is considered the “true seat of the collective unconscious” because of the tribal energies it holds—family, heritage, and the groups we belong to. It exerts a strong influence to fit in with the group. This center also stores the emotion of fear and is strongly imprinted during infancy and childhood.

When the base is balanced, there’s a natural sense of belonging and purpose. We can remain present in the body during times of stress, take responsibility for our actions, and channel the stability of this center into higher expressions—because our foundational needs are met.

When distorted, the base chakra often operates from fear. This can show up as financial insecurity, an ease of “checking out” of the body during stress, feeling scattered or dissociated, or carrying physical symptoms like fatigue, constipation, and lower back pain. Sometimes it’s more subtle—a vague sense of not belonging anywhere, or feeling like you must earn your right to exist.

One of the most interesting things I’ve learned is that the base works with the synthesizing energy of Ray 7—meaning this is the point where Spirit and Matter meet. Later in our evolution, this center becomes vital in embodying higher frequency energies.

Many years ago, I made the common mistake of discounting the importance of the base. Even though I had a lot of trauma I still needed to process, I wanted to focus on opening my higher centers- obviously, this was an ego-driven move. I spent a long time going back to the base and working on my foundation. A house built on sand will shift and fall. Now that my base is actually functioning and flourishing, I appreciate the many ways it influences my ability to anchor in higher frequencies.   

🌀 What I’ve Seen in Session Work

I often find that when someone has experienced trauma, especially early in life, the base is underdeveloped or distorted. Not only does it carry trauma from this lifetime, but since the permanent atoms carry information from lifetime to lifetime, these distortions imprint on the etheric field in the base area. This can cause the energy to present as collapsed, dull, or frayed. Sometimes energy doesn’t flow through the inflow or outflows, and it can be out of balance front to back.

In times of uncertainty, I spend a lot of time working with the base and kidneys (the fear points live here), as well as the spine, hips, legs, and feet. Energetically, this is about how we move forward in the physical expression of the world. In recent group and individual sessions, we’ve been doing a ton of clearing so that people can stay strong and rooted and weather the storms of change. 

The adrenal glands (little kidney hats) are the endocrine correspondence for the root, and people with adrenal fatigue or burnout often need energetic support here. They’ve been running on survival energy for too long.

One of the simplest ways we begin the recalibration is by calling the energy back home. This can be through grounding practices, intention, body-based work, or even just acknowledging the need to feel safe.

The affirmation for the root chakra is: I am. I have the right to be here.

🔻 Reclaiming the Right to Be

Many of us spend years—or lifetimes—disconnected from this center. Especially if we've learned that safety is conditional. If we’ve been taught that being “too much” or “too sensitive” puts us at risk, we unconsciously contract our energy at the base.

But reclaiming your root is about making contact with your full presence. Not shrinking. Not overcompensating. Just being. Here. Now.

And yes, it takes practice. But it’s also your birthright.

🌳 Practices for Root Chakra Balancing

Here are some gentle ways to nurture your root energy:

• Ground through the body. Take barefoot walks on the earth. Sit with your spine supported. Move slowly and mindfully.

• Use the seed sound LAM. Chanting or toning this sound can help activate and clear the root.

• Work with the color red. Visualize a red spinning wheel at the base of your spine. Wear red, eat grounding red foods (like beets or root vegetables).

• Essential Oils associated with the Base: Vetiver, Cedarwood, Benzoin 

• Try a thymus tap or adrenal support rituals. These can help restore vitality and reduce chronic stress patterns.

• Energy work and breath. Even placing your hands on the base of your spine and breathing intentionally can create shifts.

And most importantly: Come back to your body. Even for a few moments a day. Feel your feet. Breathe into your hips. Trust your weight on the Earth.

🧭 A Question to Sit With

Where in my life do I still feel I have to prove I belong?

Let your body answer instead of your mind. See what arises.

💠 In Closing

The base chakra reminds us that we do not have to ascend to escape life. We can root down into it, bringing Spirit with us. On one turn of the spiral this is where healing begins. On another, it’s how we embody the Soul. Later still, it becomes the lived expression of the Monad.  

I've recorded an easy Base Chakra practice if you'd like some support working with your root: Base Chakra Practice

💌If you’d like to explore your root chakra with energetic support, you can book a private session or join an upcoming group circle.

💌 In our next chakra post, we’ll journey into the Sacral Chakra—the watery realm of feeling, creation, and emotional flow. Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you don't miss it.