EL HIERRO - ROOT CHAKRA
EL HIERRO - ROOT CHAKRA (1st center)
Represents our foundation and our feeling of being grounded
LOCATION: At the base of the spine in the tailbone area
GLAND OR HORMONE CENTER: Adrenal gland
EMOTIONAL ISSUES: Stability, survival, safety, security, sense of belonging, home, food, career, finances
IF THIS CHAKRA IS BALANCED WE FEEL: Grounded, safe in control, at ease
IF THIS CHAKRA IS IMBALANCED WE MAY EXPERIENCE: Fear, anger, short-tempered, being stuck, feeling insecure, exhausted, anxious, greedy, impatient, materialistic
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: Problems with the colon, bladder, lower back, leg, feet, or hips issues, prostate problems in men
HEALING EXERCISE: Stomping our bare feet on the ground. Remember the Root chakra is all about being "grounded". Practising Kundalini yoga can open up our lower spine. The bridge pose is another good yoga pose to try out.
HEALING FOODS:
Red-colored foods like tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, and beet
Hot spices like red cayenne peppers and Tabasco sauce
Vegetables from the ground like carrots and potatoes
Animal proteins like red meat and eggs
For more info on the chakras, please visit:
What to know about El Hierro?
El Hierro, nicknamed Isla del Meridiano (the "Meridian Island"), is the smallest of the seven main islands of the Canaries that was once thought to be at the end of the world. The population was 10,162 in 2003 however when I was there in 2017 my neighbour, who's been living on the island for 9 years, corrected me saying that the population has dropped since 2003 and now is only 6000. He made a joke pointing out that the population is actually 6000+1 (me), lol! 😂 I, however, didn't officially become a resident during my travels. In case, you are interested in how to, please visit the following site: http://tenerifeguru.com/en/
El Hierro is aiming to become the first island in the world to become fully self-sufficient in electrical energy. To achieve this, the island has installed five wind turbines, two water deposits, four hydraulic turbines, and a pumping station in order to make the energy it requires.
The island’s innovative green energy project focuses on harnessing the strong winds and docility of still water.
Furthermore, the island is keen to make the switch to electric cars and It also aims to build a composting plant to turn half the island’s rubbish into agricultural fertilizer. www.lonelyplanet.com
"This little island declared a World Biosphere Reserve, entrances you with the contrast between its stark volcanic terrain, the richness of its forests, and the clear waters of its marine reserve. You choose how you want to explore its bountiful nature: dive into its waters to visit the marine ecosystems that have returned to life after the submarine eruptions of 2011, hike through its ancient forests or just kick back and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, Feel the peace that comes from sitting still and breathing in El Hierro's pure air."
For more on El Hierro tourism please visit: https://www.hellocanaryislands.com/el-hierro/
How to get here?
You can reach El Hierro either by plane or by ferry from Tenerife. I opted for the ferry, as I wanted a different experience and love the ocean. I was also curious to see if I might spot some dolphins along the way. Below is a video clip from my ferry trip.
What did I like most about the island?
Stunning nature: The beautiful coastline, ocean views, lush vegetation, and striking lava rocks
Wildlife: Goats, sheep, cats, small lizards, geckos, and unique birds (some even fly over from Africa)
Natural plant resources: Aloe vera, wild tomatoes, spinach, herbs, cactus berries, and more
Organic environment and clean air
Peaceful living: No traffic, no crowds, no stress, and no crime
No dangerous or poisonous animals
Free public water wells scattered across the island
Free access to a gym in Frontera
Abundant fruit plantations: Bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and papayas
Incredible hiking trails all over the island
LANDSCAPES
LAVA STONES, LAVA TUBES, AND CAVES
PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND ANIMALS
There are countless hiking routes, coastal paths, and opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. In the south of the island, La Restinga boasts a well-known diving center. I especially enjoyed the long, safe walks along the lava stone-covered coast beside roads that were never busy. Locals were always kind, often offering lifts when they saw you walking. Be prepared for some steep uphill and downhill paths, though—if you're planning a visit, it's a good idea to train your legs and stamina! Walking here is a joy, letting you take in the vibrant colors, smells, and sounds of nature.
I also loved the weekend market in Tigaday, where you can find local organic fruits and vegetables, homemade products like bread, jam, olive oil, and unique handcrafted souvenirs.
The island feels incredibly peaceful and safe. Many hikers sleep in their tents or even under the stars, wherever the night finds them. One of my favorite activities was driving along the long, empty roads while singing along to the radio. It was the perfect way to practice driving without the pressure of impatient drivers behind you. My license was new at the time, and in the beginning, I lacked confidence behind the wheel, so the island's quiet roads were ideal for making mistakes and learning at my own pace.
MY FAVOURITE PLACES
LA MACETA natural rock pool
EL SABINAR
WALKING AND MEDITATING ON THE LAVA ROCKS
MY ACCOMMODATION
I stayed on an organic farm where I had my own private space, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, and an open-air kitchen. It was a truly inspiring, soulful, and warm place where I instantly felt at home. My hosts were incredibly welcoming, and even though we didn’t speak the same language, we communicated effortlessly.
The sense of peace and love I felt while surrounded by farm animals (cats, kittens, dogs, sheep, hens, roosters) and homegrown plants (vegetables, herbs, and a banana plantation) brought back childhood memories of summers spent at my grandmother's rural garden house, where I experienced so much freedom and love. I enjoyed the farm so much that I extended my stay by an extra 10 days, making it a full month on the farm.
My spiritual experience:
I arrived in the evening as the sky was turning black, and with the darkness of the unknown surrounding me, I started to feel lost. A strong, unsettling feeling washed over me—"I've come too far from home." At that time, I still felt tightly connected to my twin, whom I considered my emotional home. Fear crept in, and I even considered returning to Tenerife on the next ferry, which was due in the morning. To make things worse, my luggage was lost, and by the time I found it, I had to rush to catch the last minibus to Valverde, the island's capital. There, I was freezing to the point of shaking uncontrollably, waiting for the connecting bus to take me to Frontera, where I had booked my accommodation. Later, I learned that Valverde sits 571 meters above sea level, and the cold, quiet streets—with only a few people visible under dim streetlights—made me feel like a total stranger, completely alone in the unknown.
The cold and darkness chipped away at my confidence, and I felt a deep pain inside me, as if I could burst into tears. It was an unfamiliar sensation for me. Normally, I embrace the unknown with curiosity and excitement, seeing it as an opportunity for new experiences. But this time was different. Hidden feelings of loss and fear bubbled to the surface, feelings that I later connected to my birth experience and the loss of my twin. I only realized this the next day when I returned to my usual relaxed, smiley, and loving self. However, I fell ill for a few days afterward.
Looking back, it feels like this island had the power to open up and heal emotional issues connected to the Root Chakra—those tied to home, survival, safety, and belonging. It makes sense that I had to confront these unresolved issues, buried within me since birth. You can read more on why I think this experience is connected to my birth and the loss of my twin here.
I had another fear-driven experience while hiking alone, when I found myself lost on the trail. I had no idea where I was, but I knew I was on a paved road higher up the side of the ancient crater (Frontera is located in a massive crater, half of which is submerged in the ocean). While the island's highest point is Malpaso at 1501 meters, I wasn’t even close to 1000 meters. The eerie stillness around me was striking. Not a soul in sight, the only sounds were the echoes of my labored breathing and the distant crow of a rooster. The temperature was cooler, the air darker and more humid, with clouds overhead.
As I walked, I passed grapevines and a small house, where I heard the muffled hum of machinery—likely locals working on the grapes inside. As I approached, that same unsettling feeling hit me hard, that kick in my stomach, just as it had when I first arrived on the island. And again, tears began to well up in my eyes due to the sensation of being lost and alone in the unknown.
I felt an overwhelming urge to slow down, as if something around me had shifted. Suddenly, everything felt unusual, even unsafe. Something was around me that I couldn't see or touch. Some sort of a higher power. It was as though I had been stripped bare—no identity, no profession, no name, not even a gender—just a soul standing there, exposed. The feeling made me weaker, and I was on the verge of breaking down in tears.
To avoid losing control, I grabbed my camera and started speaking into it, distracting myself from the overwhelming emotions. In hindsight, I realize I pushed those feelings down, feelings that were likely trying to emerge for healing. I regret not letting them flow because, at the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I didn’t know about soul healing or the connection between the islands and chakras, and it felt so strange to go through such intense emotions without understanding why.
While staying on the farm, I met Wassima, a traveler from Germany. She shared with me an unusual story—she had dreamt the word "Hierro." Curious, she googled it and discovered that there was an island called El Hierro. Without hesitation, she bought a flight ticket, and that's how we ended up at the same accommodation along with four other travellers. We quickly formed a friendship, and at one point, she told me that when she first saw me, she thought I was a healer. I smiled and responded, "Maybe I am, in some way... I just don't know exactly how."
On the day I got lost during my hike and experienced that intense, fear-like sensation, Wassima had a similar experience while driving near the crater. Later, we realized that we had been very close to each other without knowing it. Our host then told us about a local myth surrounding the crater, known as Llania. According to the legend, one side of the crater is watched over by light energies, while the other is guarded by darker forces. She mentioned that in the past, there had been numerous car accidents on the 'dark side,' and people are now more cautious when passing through that area. It was so fascinating to hear!
That's what I captured from and around Llania:
How did I feel being here?
I felt incredibly happy. Cozy, warm, loved, and cared for, as if I truly belonged. It wasn’t tied to any specific person, but rather the connection to nature and the energy of the place that gave me a deep sense of abundance. El Hierro may be the smallest of the Canary Islands, but it has so many different facets and landscapes that are worth exploring. It’s the perfect place to just relax, breathe it all in, and feel at peace. It's also the perfect playground for grown-ups.
Here's my favourite ♡- shaped lava rock to say goodbye with:
Thank you for reading!
The next island will be La Palma - Sacral chakra.