Low Squat (Malasana)
The root chakra, positioned at the base of your spine, houses the raw, static life force energy known as Kundalini. Also known as Muladhara in Sanskrit, or first chakra it governs your “survival instincts” and is associated with red — the color of vitality and energy. When the first chakra is open and balanced, you feel grounded and at ease with the world around you.
Malasana is also a grounding pose that stimulates the apana vayu, or the downward-flowing eliminating prana energy. By tapping into this energy, the yogi can deal with whatever physical, spiritual or emotional issues are holding him/her back.
Lesson
The first chakra is about trust and learning to trust the world when your initial reaction is fear. Feeling safe and grounded in your surroundings, community, family is key to healing yourself.
Affirmation
I am grounded, safe and secure.
This low squat also focuses on the pelvis and allows you to be open and receptive physically, emotionally, and energetically in order to accept yourself fully.
Malasana also balances our second chakra Svadhisthana.
Located in the lower abdomen between the navel and the genitals is the energy centre of our Sacral Chakra. Connected to our sciatic nerve and offer referred as the “Seat of Life”, our Sacral Chakra is our focal point of change, emotional connection, pleasure and balance.
Within the element of water and the gifts of Yin and Yan, we find balance between our masculine and feminine energy and we come home to our natural expression of sexuality and sensuality. Allow yourself to be open and simultaneously share with the deeper aspects of your being.
Lesson
The life lesson in the second chakra involves replacing guilt with forgiveness and acceptance, especially in the areas of sexual relationships.
Affirmation
I accept and forgive myself.
How to get into Malasana:
a). Come to stand with your feet about mat’s width apart.
b). Bend the knees and lower your butt toward the floor to come into a squat.
c). It’s natural for your toes to want to turn out and that’s ok, but don’t overdo it. Eventually, you’re working toward keeping the feet closer to parallel.
d). Take your upper arms inside your knees and bend the elbows to bring the palms together into (Anjali mudra ( prayer position 🙏🏼 )
c). Try to bring your hands to your heart center with the forearms parallel to the floor, allowing the pressure of your elbows to open the knees slightly.
Author:
Glenda Lee Santos; Humble Military and Yoga Warrior; RYT-200 hrs; Criminal Justice, BA; Holistic Practitioner with Foundation in Yoga and Ayurveda; CAI; CAHP; CCR; CCHP; CACR; SGC; MRT.
SEMPERLEE YOGA 