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Clearing Your Chakras: First Chakra

Posted on June 26, 2023
First Chakra stomach grind

Everything has a basis — where does the basis originate? Why, at the base, of course, at the First Chakra.

Our spines are wonderful conduits of energy and this vital energy starts at the base of the spine. We call this our First or Root Chakra, located in the rectum area. You’ve heard people say, “Oh, so and so’s such an anal person.” You can be sure this means so and so does not let go.

People whose energy is blocked here may be labeled as uptight. The energy in the First Chakra is the energy of elimination or apana. It is the most powerful of the elements in our body … the earth, manure, our own feces. This energy moves down and out.

People who do not eliminate properly may also have a fear of taking in — as they fear that their eliminative process, the functioning of their intestines, is not efficient and, therefore, is not capable of eliminating that which they take in.

These people may be overly conscious of what they eat and drink. Our bodies are made to function perfectly. People with too much apana tend toward lethargy and depression.

Here are 5 ways to Clear your First Chakra, to release that apana. This is especially good first thing in the morning.

1. Stomach Grind

To massage internal organs, keep them functioning optimally. Sit cross-legged, holding onto knees, rotate from waist, breathing slowly through the nose, 1-2 minutes in each direction.

Stomach Grind

2. Standing Flex

Place your hands on your thighs above the knees with your knees slightly bent. Inhale to press your spine forward, and exhale to release it back. Do not bob your head.

Everything has a basis -- where does the basis originate? At the base. Our spines are wonderful conduits of energy and this vital energy starts at the base of the spine. We call this our First or Root Chakra, located in the rectum area. You've heard people say, "Oh, so and so's such an anal person." You can be sure this means so and so does not let go. People whose energy is blocked here may be labeled as uptight. The energy in the First Chakra is the energy of elimination or apana. It is the most powerful of the elements in our body ... the earth, manure, our own feces. This energy moves down and out. People who do not eliminate properly may also have a fear of taking in -- as they fear that their eliminative process, the functioning of their intestines, is not efficient and, therefore, is not capable of eliminating that which they take in. These people may be overly conscious of what they eat and drink. Our bodies are made to function perfectly. People with too much apana tend toward lethargy and depression. Here are a few suggestions for releasing that apana, especially good first thing in the morning: 1) Stomach Grind - to massage internal organs, keep them functioning optimally. Sit cross-legged, holding onto knees, rotate from waist, breathing slowly through the nose, 1-2 minutes in each direction. 2) Standing Flex - hands on thighs above knees (knees slightly bent), inhale to press spine forward, exhale to release it back (don't bob head). 3) Shoulder Stance - turns internal organs upside down, freeing them from gravities pushing on them. Start by lying on your back, bring your legs up into the air, supporting your weight at the lower back with your hands. Stand upside down as tall as possible. (11 minutes of this rejuvenates like 2.5 hours of sleep.) 4) 1-minute Spine Flex - sit cross-legged, hold onto knees or shins, take a deep inhale, hold your breath for up to 1 minute, flexing your spine forward and back. Repeat up to 5 times, breaking through fear and deep emotional blocks. (Keep face forward, move from spine, not from hips or shoulders.) 5) Depression Eliminator - sit cross-legged, arms straight up in the air, move arms in circles, breathe into it for 5 minutes. Keep the arms straight! Feel the massage to your rectum (let your body rock and move with the motion of your arms).

3. Shoulder Stance

This position turns your internal organs upside down, freeing them from gravities pushing on them. Start by lying on your back. Bring your legs up into the air, supporting your weight at the lower back with your hands. Stand upside down as tall as possible. 11 minutes of this rejuvenates like 2.5 hours of sleep.

Shoulder Stand

4. One-minute Spine Flex

Sit cross-legged, hold onto your knees or shins. Take a deep inhale and hold your breath for up to 1 minute, flexing your spine forward and back. Keep you face forward and move from your spine, not from your hips or shoulders. Repeat this up to 5 times, breaking through your fear and deep emotional blocks.

Chakra One-Spine Flex

5. Depression Eliminator

Sit cross-legged with your arms straight up in the air. Move your arms in circles. Breathe into it for 5 minutes. Keep your arms straight! Feel the massage to your rectum, as you let your body rock and move with the motion of your arms.

Conclusion

The First Chakra is the base for everything else in your body. Release the negative energy in your First Chakra every morning for a more relaxed day.

Book your personal yoga retreat at Sewall House in northern Maine to learn more about how to clear your chakras!

Check out the other excerpts from Clearing Your Chakras.

Want to learn more about your chakras?

Join us at Sewall House in 2025 for a special retreat called A Journey Through the Chakras!

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