The base chakra can be found at the very base of your spine, directly between your genitals and anus. This center of power is best visualized as a deep red orb that pulsates stability and steadfastness.

An open, balanced, and strong base chakra will allow you to feel centered in the moment, sure of yourself, grounded in your thoughts and emotions, physically healthy, and easily in touch with bodily bliss. Also this chakra must be healthy in order for the other main chakra points along your spine to experience optimal flow of life force; so the base is like the foundation of your chakra system in many ways.

If your base chakra is weak you may feel unhappy with your body size, often tired, indecisive, helpless, and out of control. On the other hand an overactive base can cause you to be irrationally stubborn and inflexible, and/or you may become enraged at the slightest provocation.

Balance is paramount when working with your chakras. You always the right amount of activity/energy flowing through each center; either too little or too much intensity in any chakra center will cause problems.

When thinking about or visualizing the base chakra, feel into the element of earth. In fact it may help to think of the stability of our planet beneath you. To ground yourself and keep the base chakra optimally open and balanced, use the following simple exercise.

Relax as completely as possible. Sit or stand with your spine completely straight and centered, and allow your body weight to rest perfectly at the base of your spine.

If standing you should feel your upper thighs begin to absorb your weight. If seated you’ll feel the pressure directly on your base chakra as you rest into it.

Once you are relaxed and straight, see your base chakra as a deep red, glowing orb. Breathe in deeply and slowly, imagining the deep red light filing your entire body.

Make no effort to force or rush your breath. Just allow it to enter your body and flow deep into your lungs. When your body is finished pulling air in allow the air to float softly out, making no effort to push it forth.

As you breathe imagine the deep red glow to cover your entire body and mind from the inside out. See the red fill the inside of your eyelids and feel it pulsating through your whole being; rest into the earth-like stability of this red energy.

Continue to breathe deeply and slowly. Think of a circular pattern.

Gently guide your breath in and down the front of your lungs. Then allow it to drift up and out the back of your lungs; so the air will enter and leave your lungs in a long, deep circular motion.

Don’t get hung up on either the color or the shape of your breathing. These visual aids are meant to help and support you, not frustrate or challenge you.

Enjoy this exercise for a few minutes. Then when you feel it is time to stop, do so.

This practice is great for any time you feel off center, angry with your body, out of control, or weak from the inside out. Understand also that you can and should perform this exercise spontaneously, and not just when something needs “fixing”.

But doing this meditation too often is just as bad as never doing it. Always remember to have a relaxed balance when working with your base chakra or any other part of your chakra system.

All the universe emerges from pure, potential energy and all objects and life forms are essentially vibrating energy. Your chakra system can serve as a portal for understanding your own energy grid and for connecting to and interacting with divine or universal energy.

Getting to know the basics of what each major chakra point means will enhance your understanding of self and the life experience. And each individual is free to use his or her own intuitive language for exploring this wonderful frontier.

In fact a basic look at metaphysics will enhance all areas of your life, including your ability to deliberately manifest events and circumstances you desire. The best approach to learning about your charkas, universal energy, and your connection to divinity is a relaxed and light one.

Avoid being ultra serious or solemn here. Enjoy yourself and delight in the process of discovery to create the most positive upbeat vibration possible.

Move in this manner and doors of understanding will open for you.

Note: This conceptualization of life is especially worthwhile for those who seek to actively manifest reality. When you understand that all things are energetic waves and that consciousness can move and direct these vibrations, it’s not a difficult leap to know that you can manifest your desires through focused intention and the manipulation of energy.