Svadhisthana - Sacral Chakra
In Sanskrit, the second chakra is called Svadhisthana, which translates as ‘the dwelling place of the self’. It is the seat of our creativity, and it determines how we see ourselves in the physical world. Its energy is feminine, passive, and lunar.
Element
The colour of the sacral chakra is orange and it governs the water element, all that is fluid; circulation, urination, menstruation, tears etc. This energy center relates to creativity, flexibility, fun, freedom, sex, pleasure and money.
Location and Connection to the Physical Body
Located above the pubic bone and below the navel, the sacral chakra relates to the reproductive organs, bladder, kidneys and adrenals, and lower back.
Energy Connection to the Emotional/Mental Body
When we feel free to express ourselves creatively and sexually, to explore our boundaries and experience pleasure without feelings of guilt, our Svadhisthana chakra will be in balance.
This creativity can be expressed as procreation, but the second chakra energy is certainly not limited to that – we create when we cook, bake, or garden. A balanced second chakra leads to feelings of wellness, abundance, pleasure, and joy.
Imbalances
When this chakra is out of balance, a person may experience emotional instability, fear of change, depression, or addictions. Deficiency in this chakra may be experienced as a lack of creativity, reluctance to engage in physical romance and denying ourselves the things that can make us feel good.
From an early age, once we pass through the phase where colouring, painting, or cutting paper is completely acceptable, we are often discouraged from creative efforts. We are taught to conform and fit in, and by the time we reach adulthood, we are well used to following the rules and conforming to the society norms, which can result in losing touch with our ‘inner child’.
However, it is not just our creativity that can be stifled - in a culture that is confused about emotional expression, pleasure and sexuality, there are many factors that lead to an imbalanced second chakra. Other symptoms of a sacral chakra deficiency include fear of intimacy, being out of touch with our feelings, and resistance to change. Sexual problems and discomfort in the lower back, hips, and reproductive organs can also signify that this chakra needs some kind attention.
An over-active Svadhisthana chakra, may also be manifested in feelings of neediness and oversensitivity. This may lead to an unhealthy emotional attachment or sexual addiction.
Sacral chakra will be helped by ‘going with a flow’, tapping into our creativity, and not excessively holding on to what you thought before. When we relax our resistance to life, our hips let go, our reproductive organs become less tense, and we are open to experiencing our sensuality and sexuality.
How can yoga help?
One way to access the potential that lies within this chakra is through creative and intuitive movement. By cultivating a sense of fluidity and ease in our lower belly, lower back, hips and pelvis, we will unlock our creativity and bring about a more open-minded way of being. We can start by sitting in Sukhasana, easy cross-legged pose and making seated pelvic circles in one direction 5 or 6 times and then switch directions.
Hip opening yoga poses are also a good way to bring more openness into our body. Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), forward bending with the legs in the first stage of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon Pose), Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), Upavistha Konasana (Open Angle Pose), and other hip and groin openers all provide freedom of movement in the pelvis. These poses should never be forced, for they require the subtle feminine tough of sensitivity and surrender.
Ideal classes at Samsara to work on balancing this chakra are:
Relax and Restore - Thursdays 12.30 - 1.30pm
Freedom Flow - Sundays 12 - 01:15 PM
Both classes are with Adrianna Zaccardi