Emotional Healing Through Yoga
Part I: Root Issues

by Zuzanna Vee

I have been practicing yoga for nearly 30 years, and I truly believe there is nothing that can't be adequately addressed through the practice of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Yoga practice has helped me through many traumas: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It can help you too.

This series of articles will address emotional healing through yoga practice and will assume the reader has some fundamental yoga knowledge and experience. Our orientation will be the seven energy centers of the body, called the Chakras, which are energy vortices that align vertically with the spine and are situated near nerve plexes. The Chakras do not operate independently of one another. However, for clarity's sake it does help to talk about them separately. Also, one could use the same posture for several different chakras, depending on one's focus and intent.

We begin with the Root Chakra located at the perineum and coccyx area of the body. Our Root Chakra nourishes our lower hip area, legs and feet. It is the element of Earth. When this center is flowing well, we feel safe and secure in the world; we feel "at home;" we are able to provide for and stand up for ourselves. The Arena of Life the Root Chakra deals with our basic issues of survival. It also influences our social identity, and the group we "run" with, be it religious, racial, political affiliations, etc. It is the tribal mind set-what we embrace as our "truth." The immediate family to which we were born forms our fundamental issues around our Root Chakra. Healing family pain is a Root Chakra activity.

The words we use to describe subjective experiences often bring to light from which energy center we are operating- what is flowing and what is blocked. I call these descriptions "clues in the colloquial." Some of the clues for the Root Chakra are: "getting on my feet again," "he's a real pain in the ass," "I got swept off my feet," "I'm feeling stuck," and "I'm putting my foot down." These clues indicate an inner guidance, giving us a hint as to where we are blocked. Listening carefully to what you are feeling, thinking, saying, and hearing will give you the clues to begin investigating your own emotional healing through yoga.

When these energy centers become blocked, it can eventually filter through from the energetic level, manifesting as physical challenges. Some of the problems that may develop through blocked Root Chakra energy are hemorrhoids, rectal cancer, varicose veins, sciatica, foot, lower back and coccyx problems/ injuries, some depression and immunological issues.

When we practice yoga postures, breathing or meditation, our focus and intent are everything. We need to be fully present to get the mulit-level benefit of our practice. Wear, look at, or have in your vicinity the color red, which is the vibrational frequency of the Root Chakra. Image the center opening like a camera aperture, flower bud or trap door, and the red energy flooding every cell of the lower hips, legs and feet. Sustain the image clearly while holding the pertinent asanas (yoga postures), and by working with your breath, the agent of the Life Force (prana).

Some of the asanas which will help activate the Root Chakra, and the corresponding Arena of Life, are noted below. It is not within the scope of this series to detail how to do the yoga postures. A seasoned yoga instructor is invaluable to an individual's understanding, practice and experience of healing through yoga. The postures, when practiced with awareness, have the ability to infuse the practitioner with positive qualities unique to that posture. Emotional healing will be enhanced by inviting in and integrating these qualities.

The Chair creates stability and settled-ness. One can discharge negativity through the feet and invite Divine Communion (crown chakra).

The Warrior (and variations) invites the qualities of inner strength and inner stability, and helps us to feel we have a right to be here, looking forward to our future.

The Triangle (and variations) unites the practitioner with, and balances between, Heaven and Earth. It extends the lines of energy through the limbs in three directions.

The Tree gives us grounding and helps us extend our roots, creating a calm, centered mind. Balancing postures, generally, encourage one to extend energetic roots and are particularly grounding and centering. Balancing highlights the parts that the mind and breath play in our lives. Try balancing after you've had an altercation with someone and you will see what I mean.

The Mountain (standing meditation pose) invites patience, perseverance, and objective observation. Visualize different mountain settings and explore what each one has to offer.

Zuzanna Vee teaches at many facilities in the Triangle area and has 15 years teaching experience. She has a private healing practice in Chapel Hill, incorporating yoga therapy, shamanic practices, meditation, energy healing, herbs and homeopathy. Contact her at
919-542-3001, or please visit www.RainbowHealing.net. All photos taken by Beverly Johnson.