People who have difficulty expressing themselves in a creative, spontaneous and flexible fashion or who have trouble allowing their feelings to flow freely in a non-compulsive, unobstructed fashion may feel tension in this chakra. The root chakra deals with the desire to own and possess. The Base usually stores trauma when it feels belittled or helpless. If person is tense and tight in the anus, she or he is over-concerned with material and survival needs and may experience difficulty giving and receiving in an unrestrained fashion. They may try to hoard and possess everything which they come in contact. If that area is flexible and vital, that person is usually open, giving and free-flowing in the world.

EMOTIONAL RESPONSES: Anger of the past, fear of deadlines, afraid to let go, feeling burdened, mental fears that weaken masculinity, guilt, sexual pressure, belief in aging, numbness, being hypocritical, fear of money and the future, inability to flow with life, holding on to old ideas, distrust of life, lack of integrity, no courage of convictions, pissed off, blaming others, angry emotions, down on partner, deep hurt, longstanding resentment, deep grief or grief eating away at self, carrying hatreds, what’s the use, tension, gripping, hold on.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS: Prostate cancer, rectal cancer, hemorrhoids, itching, pain at base of spine, sacroiliac conditions, spinal curvatures, sciatica, lumbago, difficult, painful or frequent urination, backaches, poor circulation in legs, swollen ankles, weak arches and ankles, cold feet, weak legs, leg cramps.

AREAS AFFECTED: Sacrum, Coccyx, Hip bones, buttocks, rectum, anus, prostate gland, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve, lower legs, ankles, feet

VOICES: Voices that deal with survival such as the Inner Critic, Pleaser, Warrior, Inner Child