Continuing our series on the Muladhara Chakra, let us look at some of the indications that tell us our energy centre is blocked or misaligned in the body. When a person feels there is no support system in his or her life or there is a lack of nurturing, lower back pain and sciatica are usually the first symptoms. These blockages can manifest into varicose veins, depression, immune-related disorders, mental or emotional problems, a lack of self- esteem, attachment to family background and beliefs and behaviours learnt from them, superstitions, kidney problems, pain in the legs, feet, and everything that flows down from the lower back into the toes.
A misaligned or blocked root chakra can cause chronic fatigue syndrome, where a person feels tired the entire day and is not able to carry out his routine tasks. Unblocking the Muladhara Chakra can change a person’s perspective towards life and make them more active.
Note: Though these postures are easy to do and can be practised at home, as with all the other exercises, it’s advisable to consult a doctor before starting them.
CHAKRASANA
Procedure:
1 Start with lying on your back and keeping your knees bent and feet close to your body. Place your hands close to your ears with your palms facing inwards, as shown.
2 Now as you exhale, raise your hips off the ground up to the point that you can place the crown of your head on the mat, as shown. Remain in this position till your body is stable and balanced.
3 Now using your hands, raise your head off the mat stretching your hands and stomach and contracting your spine to the maximum.
4 Hold this posture for 10-30 seconds and breathe normally.
5 While coming down, first place your head and neck on the mat and then the hips.
Benefits:
1 The entire front portion of the body is stretched.
2 Improves digestion.
3 Strengthens and stretches the muscles of the legs especially the calf muscles.
4 This posture is beneficial for people leading a sedentary lifestyle. The backward bend relieves tension or stress from the body and helps in decreasing the ailments arising out of it.
Caution: People suffering from any back or spinal injuries must either refrain from doing this posture or practise it under professional guidance.
MOOLA BANDHA
Procedure:
1 Sit in vajrasana with your back straight.
2 Exhale and pull up the genital space and close the anal space.
3 Keep your abdominal muscles tight and hold your breath from 30 seconds to a minute.
4 Relax the lock and inhale.
5 Repeat only three times a day.
Benefits:
1 Stimulates the excretory system and helps relieve ulcers, constipation and piles.
2 Alleviates depression.
3 Beneficial for asthma, bronchitis and arthritis.
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