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Root Chakra Organs

by Kathleen Karlsen, Author of Vocal Medicine

The root chakra is located between the perineum and lower spine. The root chakra governs the lower part of the body, including the legs, hips, lower back and lower spine. These areas of the body establish balance and stability.

The root chakra also governs the organs of elimination including the colon and bladder. These are the organs and systems that provide a strong foundation for physical health and a platform for our presence in the world.

There is some overlap between the organs and glands associated with the root chakra and the sacral chakra. However, the sacral chakra is more closely connected to reproduction while the base chakra relates more directly to elimination.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Discover the connection between the root chakra and stability
Understand how the root chakra aids in physical health
Connect the root chakra to fundamental body structures

Role of the Root Chakra

The root chakra is the place where we process and transform energy, thoughts, and experiences related to security, safety, and personal and ancestral history. The root chakra is connected to the earth and helps with grounding in your environment. As a result, root chakra affirmations and mantras emphasize the provision of basic needs such as food, shelter and community.

The root chakra also includes the psychological patterns connected to the physical organs and functions. Understanding these energetic and physical links can help you to identify areas that need support in your life. The following are some of the symbolic links between the human body and root chakra meaning.

Body Organs Related to the Root Chakra
The physical organs and systems associated with the root or base chakra include:

legs
feet
knees
bladder
large intestines
the pelvis
skeletal system
muscular system

Root Chakra Organs: Feet

The feet represent the willingness to be on earth and engaged in life. This is literally a process of “putting your best foot forward.” In contrast with this attitude, someone who is afraid to rock the boat may be “walking on eggshells.” To have your feet firmly on the ground is to be willing to be on earth and walk your own path.

Spiritual Meaning of the Feet
Feet represent our “understanding” of life. Your feet are literally “standing under” your body. To put yourself under the tutelage of another is to be “at their feet.” For example, many religions refer to “sitting at the feet” of a spiritual master or deity.

The Soles of the Feet
The skin on soles of the feet is thickened to provide a barrier between the body and the exterior environment. The outermost layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum. These cells have lost most of their fluid and have been converted to protein. The thickness of this layer is determined by how much weight the skin bears and how much abrasion is present. A person who is “thick-skinned” is one who can handle a significant amount of abrasion or conflict.

Legs and the Root Chakra

Your legs take you in the direction you want to go! Problems with the legs may indicate a conflict related to choosing a path in life. Legs give you the ability to run, dance and stand. To slip and fall indicates a lack of grounding through the root chakra.

Ankles and Root Chakra Meaning

Ankles are related to support, a central theme for understanding root chakra meaning. Building a support system within and without (family, friends, employment) will put you in a position to grow on other levels. Your own ideals and principles also create a structure of support. Ankles also have to do with flexibility and accepting pleasure in life.

Hips and Root Chakra Symbolism

A broken hip can be caused by a loss of support or the desire to lean on someone else awhile. You may be resisting forward movement in life. Hips are literally a pivotal place in the body. Major changes in life such as moving to a new home, losing a loved one or changing careers may be reflected in the health of the hips. These issues are integral to the energy of the root chakra.

Lower Back and Root Chakra Meaning

The lower back is connected primarily to finances. When you are stressed financially, the chances that lower back problems will develop is increased. In contrast with this, the middle back is often connected to issues of love and relationships.

Upper Back, Shoulders and the Root Chakra

The upper back often reflects the burdens you are bearing in life. This area of the body is literally your “backbone.” The stability needed here is represented by the square in the root chakra symbol. Keep in mind that the ability to face life is the ability to “square” your shoulders.

Root Chakra Organs: Knees

On both the physiological and emotional levels, the knees are related to bending and flexibility. To “bend the knee” is to recognize the superior rank or knowledge of another. Problems with the knees can be connected to issues of pride and ego. Other causes of knee problems are stubbornness and the refusal to yield when necessary or advisable.

Psychological Meaning of the Knees
The knees are also related to personal “needs.” The left knee is closely related to the needs of the feminine side for both men and women. This could be the need to be appreciated and nurtured. The right knee is related to the masculine side. This might involve the need to be successful in society and to protect others.

Root Chakra Organs: Intestines

Some of the idioms and metaphors we use to refer to our intestines reveal our feelings about this root chakra organ. You get a “gut feeling” about something (intuition). You do a “gut check” before making a decision. You have a “gut instinct” about a person or situation.

More Intestinal Metaphors
A heart-breaking occurrence can also be referred to as “gut-wrenching.” If you are upset, you may “get your bowels in an uproar.” A person who is strong on all levels (especially psychologically) is said to have “intestinal fortitude.” This kind of strength reflects the ability to assimilate whatever life brings.

Spiritual Meaning of the Intestines
The function of the intestines is to absorb nutrition. As far as digestion is concerned, this is the final and most critical phase. On a spiritual level, this is akin to the ability to follow ideas and projects through to completion. You need to know when to process life and when to let go. The small intestine relates to holding onto details and trying to analyze information or experiences obsessively.

Problems with the Intestines
Problems with constipation or more serious colon issues can be related to an inability to let go of the past. Refusing to let go of your position or opinion can also be an unhealthy pattern that shows up as intestinal disturbances. Constant worry or being stuck in loops of concern can also affect the colon and indicate a lack of energy flow in the root chakra.

Root Chakra Organs: Bladder

The bladder has the ability to grow and shrink as needed to hold the capacity of urine required at any given time. This adaptability is a key identifying trait. Likewise, the ability to remain grounded in changing circumstances is a skill related to the meaning of the root chakra symbol.

The bladder is an amazing, flexible storage tank. The bladder wall contains three layers of smooth muscle. This pear-shaped organ can extend and shrink as needed. Clearly, the bladder is holding that which the body no longer needs. This is a perfect metaphor for the discernment needed to choose what to retain and what to release in life.

Emotions and the Bladder
When we are angry, we may say that we are “pissed off.” This is literally a reference to the fact that we have a situation where communication is needed! That may be an internal process or an external exchange. Holding onto situations, possessions or people that are no longer serving a positive purpose in your life can appear in the physical body as holding onto excess water or urine.

Root Chakra Organs: Pelvis

A broken or injured pelvis shows conflicts related to security, survival, relationships, and sexuality. These issues are directly related to the root chakra. Pelvis injuries can also be a fear of your own feelings. The pelvic girdle is actually made up of two hip bones that meet in the front of the body at the pubic symphysis. In the back of the body, the hip bones meet with the sacrum.

Pelvis and Organs of Elimination
The pelvis contains the organs of elimination and reproduction. The organs of elimination (bladder, colon, rectum) are the most closely connected to the root chakra. The organs of reproduction are more closely related to the second or sacral chakra.

Root Chakra and the Skeletal System

The skeleton serves as the framework and structure for our lives. We depend on the strength of our skeleton for everything we do. The skeleton represents security, safety, trust and belonging. For these reasons, the skeleton is associated with the root chakra.

Symbolism of the Skeletal System
The skeleton is the hardest and densest form of tissue in the human body. Therefore, the skeleton is connected to our deepest level of psychology, emotions, and spirituality. Breaking a bone or developing a bone disease is an opportunity to look at your core beliefs. This can include the deepest levels of your inner world and an examination of your very purpose and reason for existence.

Root Chakra and the Lower Spine
The lower spine may be affected if you doubt your ability to support yourself. This can also be a larger sense: you doubt that life itself will support you. In a concrete way, this often boils down to finances. Many back problems are muscular rather than spinal. The need to deeply relax may help to establish a healthier flow of energy through the root chakra and lower spine.

Root Chakra and the Muscular System

The muscles are the first system in the body to react to stress. As muscles are tightened, movement is limited, and inflexibility results. When the basic survival needs connected to the root chakra (food, shelter, and acceptance) are not being met, chronic muscular tension can result.

The Root of Muscular Stress
Holding tense muscles can be a way to protect yourself. You may feel overwhelmed and out of control. Emotional paralysis and physical tenseness may go hand in hand. Addressing the core issues of the root chakra on all levels can help to release this tension.

Finding Release for the Muscular System
Prayer and meditation are helpful for centering. You may also want to take stock of your situation on a pragmatic level and look for practical solutions to attaining a higher level of security in your life. A new job, increased education or training, or relocation may be options to consider.