Hello my dear friends,

This month we've been focusing on Yoga for healthier spinal alignment. So far, we've explored how awakening the feet and legs can support our spine and how a neutral pelvis can certainly help as well.

Today, I would like to talk about Muladhara chakra (root chakra) and Mulabandha (root lock) and how they relate to spinal health.

Mula = Root

Adhara = Foundation

Chakra = Wheel

Bandha = Lock

Located at the base of the spine, Muladhara chakra plays an energetic role in the position of the pelvis. It's position also means it is directly effected by Mulabandha (the root lock), where we lift the pelvic floor, as if we had to go to the bathroom and there was none around.

When thinking of the chakras, it's helpful to think of them as a 3-dimensional sphere, more like a ball then a wheel, which is how it is often portrayed. Imagine a ball that can spin in any direction, forward, back, up, down, really any direction at all.

Imagine that there is a ball inside your pelvis. You can spin the ball forward and down, which tilts the pelvis forward. Or, you can spin it backwards, which tilts the pelvis backward as well. You can spin it to the right, which can initiate a spinal twist to the right and spin it to the left to rotate left.

Now add in the lift of Mulabhanda. Lift the pelvic floor and then repeat the exercise above. You may notice that the engagement of Mulabhanda creates a feeling of length in the spine and more stability as you move.

If you are interested in learning more about this chakra, I would highly recommend reading this article from chakras.net. They have a wonderful, very detailed explanation.

https://www.chakras.net/energy-centers/muladhara/about-the-muladhara-chakra

I would love to invite you to practice with us this Thursday at 5:30 where we will be exploring this more deeply.

Click Here to join:

https://www.yogawithdeb.com/schedule/cdb7049c-77b2-44d1-8d72-f97adefe751d_1643927400

May you always find joy in your practice,

Debbie