The Root Chakra
At the bottom of our bodygraph chart is our root chakra, one of the two pressure centers in our charts. While our crown contains the mental pressure “to know,” this pressure center, the root, contains the physical pressure “to do”. Hence, these two centers want us to think and to stay alive. And for that, we are grateful!
Stress is connected to our root chakra, and it is important to know that stress is not all negative.
In a world where so many of us are stressed, we believe that stress must be avoided at all costs. But thank goodness for stress, because otherwise we would be unable to move out of the street when the bus is coming in our direction at full throttle.
As with everything in life, finding the famous balance is key, and in this case, between positive and negative stress.
The Theme of the Root Chakra
The overall theme of the root chakra is the physical pressure to get things started. There is a driving force in our roots towards action, adrenaline, and stress. Since the root chakra has channels to three other centers in our bodygraphs, this driving force shows itself in different variations.
Gates and channels from the root to the spleen will have a driving force focused on survival.
Gates and channels from the root to the solar plexus will have a driving force focused on feeling different emotions, the spiritual, and life experiences.
Gates and channels from the root to the sacral will have a driving force focused on how to use your life force. The channels between root and sacral are also known as format channels, and they will affect the whole bodygraphchart in a huge way.
A defined Root Chakra
Roughly 60% of the population has a defined root chakra, and should you be one of them, you might recognize having a fixed driving force to get things done. You can also influence your partner or co-worker with your defined root. All of a sudden, you get things done together!
It is said that those of us with a defined root will know the right timing on when to get things started. And here comes a little secret: This timing might not be when your partner with an undefined root thinks it should be. Divine timing is the motto for those with a defined root. And the definition of when divine is, well, that is up to the root bearer!
The thing is that those of us who have an undefined root (me included) can see those with a defined root (yep, my husband) as a bit slow to get things started.
But someone with a defined root will stay true to their own speediness of things, and they are therefore less likely to burn out.
They are also known to pressure others into doing what they want. Not pressure the way we normally talk about it, but the defined root starts something and the undefined root gets pulled along in an unconscious way, feeling the urge to finish whatever project that is going on.
An undefined Root Chakra
Hello, fellow 40% of the population who have an undefined root chakra! Let me just say, I feel you all. Having an undefined root chakra has been a challenge for me until I learned about Human Design.
If you also have an undefined root chakra, you might recognize that you need a lot of grounding activities, like hiking in the forest or walking barefoot in the grass.
You might also recognize what stress is, and you know which parts of the stress come from yourself or from others. The shadow side of this is that you can take in stress from your surroundings, and in the end, become very sensitive to adrenaline. I am guilty of this one, for sure.
And for those who have undefined root and have been burned out, you might recognize that you have taken on too many tasks and stayed too long in stressful situations without releasing the stress. The clue is that with an undefined root, we become super efficient in short periods. Being able to separate what is urgent and what is not is key to a more sustainable approach to task handling. Because, no, everything is not important and needs to be taken care of yesterday.
With an undefined root chakra, it is very important to learn to say “no” when you know that you do not have the capacity to say “yes” to yet another project. Connect with your inner authority and use your strategy before you make the decision.
Biology and the Root chakra
I guess there is no surprise that the root chakra is associated with our adrenal glands. These two organs each sit on top of a kidney, and they produce hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including stress response, blood pressure, metabolism, and the immune system.
Even though stress is so negatively associated today, we should be very thankful for stress as a fuel and a driving force to get things done.
Personally, I lived like a Generator type for years, because I mistook my high levels of stress hormones as 24/7 energy. This is a mistake I am sure is very recognizable to many of us, especially if you, as well, have an undefined root chakra.
4 ways to best support our Root Chakra
I am guessing it is not a shock that the keyword for best support of your root chakra is stress management.
No matter if you have a defined or an undefined root chakra, you can highly benefit from the following 4 ways to best support this pressure center:
Ground yourself. Take walks in nature. Go forest bathing. Feel the grass on your bare feet. Stand in Mountain pose in yoga. Eat root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Say affirmations like “I am safe” or “I am grounded”.
Shake it off! Have you ever observed what animals do when they want to get rid of anxiety or stress? They shake it off. You can shake your body or put on your favorite song so you can dance the stress away.
Release others’ stress. If your partner is stressed out for a work project, you can become easily affected, especially if you have an undefined root. But find a way to be supportive without necessarily taking in the stress yourself. If you are able to visualize, you can visualize that you are in an impenetrable bubble. You can still be of support, but without going through the roof with adrenaline when it is not your job to perform in the matter.
Say “no”. Practice every day. If you are conditioned to say “yes” even if your root (or your sacral if you are a Generator type!) screams “no”, you might think this is your only way of showing your worth. Let me tell you, it is not. Connect with your strategy and inner authority. If you have no defined sacral that instantly lets you know if this is a clear “yes” or “no”, it is even more important to allow yourself to take the time you need before you decide. You are worthy even if you say “no”.
When you learn to separate your stress from stress outside of you, you will be taking even better care of yourself. Continue to separate positive and negative stress. And release whatever stress that is not yours to keep.
