The chakras are the seven wheels of energy that move through your subtle body, starting at the crown of your head and traveling down to the base of your spine. When spinning properly, each chakra allows energy to flow through the body. However, if one of these wheels is blocked, your well-being can suffer. The first chakra “root chakra,” acts as the root of the body. If your root chakra is out of alignment, you may feel depressed, anxious, or even constipated (sorry). 

Woman in cross-legged position meditate with sound over rocks in nature

The natural element of the root chakra: earth

The first chakra, called muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. “Muladhara” means root, and is associated with the earth element, linked to your ability to dig in and feel firmly rooted in your life. Its associated color is red, hence its links to the earth. 

This wheel of energy is associated with your sense of security, familial relationships and your feeling of home, says Stephanie Snyder, a yoga teacher based in San Francisco. When energy is flowing through the first chakra, you feel firmly grounded in yourself and the world around you.

Signs of blocked muladhara energy

physical signs

When your first chakra is out of alignment, you may experience pain in your intestines and lower body. This misalignment can manifest in the physical body in a number of ways, including:

• weight gain
• weight loss
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain
• Incontinence

mental signs

When working with the root chakra, think about your relationship to yourself and the world around you. Where do you feel grounded? When do you feel calm and stable? When your root chakra is blocked, you might experience some of the following:

• increased distractibility
• Rushing from one task to another
• Feeling exhausted or lethargic
• Increased feelings of anxiety, stress or depression
• Feeling stuck
• Inability to take action