Embodying the Chakras - part 1 - Intro to energy and the root chakra

“Energy is a big part of life and another area that I want you find abundance”

We have just finished a month of Dojiva classes and write ups about gait. Before that, we had a month focusing on balance. You know how I like to mix things up, so for this next series of clusters, we are shifting gears and I would like to re-visit a focus from a couple of years back.

Dojiva is largely centred around the physical with 75% of our classes dedicated to a mix of strength, fitness, flexibility, balance, posture, fitness measurements, etc. Plus there’s all of the notes on the health tab about how nutrition affects our physiology.

The other 25% of content covers a more subtle side that nourishes the inner world with classes that aim to support mental and emotional wellbeing, stress management and relaxation. This is the way of mindfulness and leads to a heightened state of presence.

Some energy comes from action and some from stillness

We have the physical side of energy which is produced in the mitochondria within the cells of the body. When healthy and abundant you will enjoy more than enough energy to cruise through demanding days. But then there’s a subtle form of energy that we can tap into for inner balance and healing. To feel and reveal this, we need to get still physically and quiet mentally.

Feeling stillness

If we consider a piece of art (whether a painting, photography, music or poetry), in an instant you can be transformed to a deep sense of stillness. Like seeing a breathtaking view.

The body becomes devoid of tension, the mind clears and a oneness is felt... a harmony between the moment, the art, the body, the mind and the senses. All collapses into one as you experience the experience directly.

The ego is finally silent (no filters) and a true connection to nature comes through. You recognise it because it feels authentic, effortless and satisfying and you can truly rest there.

I for one want more moments like that!

Another term for this could be a sacred experience or even a spiritual moment. For many, it can be easy to dismiss, or ignore the subtle side, but moments of stillness are a natural part of living and help you to be in the flow of life.

In summary, for a more complete picture of health, I do believe we need to consider our deeper connection to nature… to stillness, consciousness, life-force, breath, soul, spirit, heart centred-ness, light, truth, beingness, love, etc!

The best example of where the physical and subtle merge is the chakra system.

* * * *

Which brings us to our cluster focus of the root chakra

This is a concept that originated from yogic texts over 2500 years ago. The chakras are seven energetic centres that span from the pelvis to crown that aline with bundles of nerves (plexuses) in the physical body.

So, for the next few clusters I would like to explore the chakra system, how it relates to physiology, psychology and a little philosophy. Also, how the chakras interact with each other and how they meet at the heart. A bit like physical alignment, when our energy centres are in balance, energy flows better and, if healing is needed we are more likely to get and accept the healing we need.

A tree can’t grow without its roots in the soil

We’ll start at the base with root chakra and our theme this week is about grounding, personal growth and the primal basics of safety and security.

In Sanskrit, the root chakra is called the Muladhara and is located at the base of the body when seated so involves health at the pelvis (coccyx, sit bones and pelvic floor). It relates to your deepest connections to the body and the earth and when balanced, our instinctual nature for survival can relax. From that perspective, you can be:

Things that cause an imbalance at the root include holding too much fear/lack concerning:

Also, if you go through a phase in life where you’re not that grounded, but rather ‘in your head’ a lot of the time, you can become stuck, find it hard to get motivated and you feel like your going nowhere.

Due to many events and curve balls that life throws at us, imbalance at the root is quite common. However with awareness, a balanced life and basic Dojiva principles, you should be able to bounce back quickly. 

E.g. acknowledgment of the situation, mindfulness, self enquiry and conversations with a friend or relative. This can help you get to the bottom (root) of things and feel, process, digest and express what you are going through.

It’s only when grounding/safety issues become chronic and a burden that you might consider extra interventions and professional support.

Also, as I’ve talked about before, there’s only good to be found by putting your feet in the morning grass. Earthing has proven benefits that help sleep, circulation, general healing, reduced pain, better recovery from workouts and reduced stress.

All in all, during this ‘root centred/grounding’ week, aim to be outdoors as much as possible and a short early morning walk is highly recommended. But also, get your feet in that dewey grass, train outdoors, enjoy a five minute breath practice in the woods, do some gardening and go barefoot when you can.

When indoors, open windows, keep electrical light to a minimum and turn off modems/wifi/mobile phones at night. Put this all together with this with our seven day schedule of Dojiva classes and you should be feeling a strong experience and a knowing of being grounded.

Then, I hope to see your focus, productively and motivation levels climb… let me know!

That’s it for this week, thanks for reading.

Take care

Danny

Members can login here and for the ten day Dojiva trial - click here

Here are this weeks recommended cluster of Dojiva classes

Sunday 28th Sept 2025 - Mindfulness 01 - Our first ever mindfulness class is a 20 minute video called ‘The Practice of Presence’. It involves basic weight transfer techniques to help fill you up with body awareness and be in a physical and mental state of total groundedness. Can you do it outside?

Monday 29th - Workout 25 - A full length class with choreography from martial arts to warm up then we use the concept and feeling of ground to bring strength, support and tone to the body.

Tuesday 30th - Mobility 104 - Open chain pole routine for shoulders and spine - Ideally you will use a 5 foot wooden dowel for this class. However, an adjustable walking pole or strong band will also work for most exercises.

Wednesday 1st - Meditation 54 - Please enjoy this guided audio meditation… a journey to see, appreciate and become the light of your true self.

Thursday 2nd - Workout 22 - This class has great three dimensional weight bearing hip exercises that challenge and (in time) enhance your strength, balance and proprioception. We also enjoy a host of other great full body strength, fitness and flexibility challenges. Can try it barefoot!

Friday 3rd - Mobility 126 - Today, we journey from the feet to the pelvis and everything in between. We tense, loosen and stretch our way into a full sense of embodiment.

Saturday 4th - Mini fitness 90 - This is one of our classes where the HIIT’s are shorter than the warm ups and cool downs. It’s intense though and you might need to reach for the pause button to extend the rest periods. It’s basically nine rounds of 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off… so, nine minutes and you’re done!