Awakening and Balancing the 2nd/Sacral Chakra
By Carol Grimes
Place of creativity, sexuality and emotions, the second or sacral chakra is the energy center located below the belly button and above the pubic bone, in the bowl of the pelvis. In Sanskrit, it is called Svadhisthana, meaning sweetness.
When we awaken this chakra, we also awaken creativity and a passion for life. When we balance this chakra, we foster emotional well-being and genuine intimacy. A balanced and awakened second chakra can also manifest as joy, pleasure, abundance, generosity, empathy, a feeling of expansiveness, mutually empowering relationships, and self-respect.
When this chakra is blocked or out of balance, we may experience physical issues such as pelvic or low back pain, urinary problems, or sexual dysfunction. Emotionally we can experience a fear of change, emotional instability, shame, or depression. Behavior-wise we may exhibit addictions, possessiveness, shallow relationships, or wild-child behavior.
Let’s explore some ways to awaken and balance this sacred and beautiful energy center:
Gentle Sacral Movement
We can help to awaken the sacral chakra with simple and gentle movements of our pelvic bowl, including seated spinal circles and cat/cow. The idea is to unlock the mobility of the pelvis with a consistent movement practice, allowing it to move fluidly and within a full range of motion, so that energy can move freely and begin the process of unblocking itself.
Healing with Water
The element of the sacral chakra is water. Spend time at a waterfall, lake, river or ocean to soothe your soul and bring healing to your emotions. There’s a reason why we cry tears of water when we need to release our emotions. When we take the time to heal and nourish the second chakra through water, we give ourselves the opportunity to become a flowing fountain of creativity and joy.
Observing the Moon
Since the sacral chakra is feminine and lunar energy, we can help to honor it by tracking the cycles of the moon. Observe the moon in the sky or take a few minutes for moon bathing or a walk in the moonlight. You can also awaken lunar energy in the body with Ida Nadi, a simple pranayama technique in which you close off the right nostril with fingertips, and breath through the left nostril for 6-10 breath cycles.
The Color Orange
Orange is the color of the sacral chakra. You can wear orange clothing, place orange flowers in your house, or paint walls or furniture orange to help awaken sacral chakra energy within your environment and within yourself. For example, I painted the surface of my desk orange to help inspire creativity in my work life.
Honor Sexual Energy
Sexual energy brought us into existence and gave us all life. It is at the root of our life force and our creative energy. When we honor it as deeply sacred, ancient, life giving, and creative, there’s no need to repress, glorify, control, or use it to manipulate or harm others. If you have been harmed, or harmed others with sexual energy in your lifetime, you may need to pay special attention to this chakra and give it the extra time needed to facilitate healing. And — since we are connected to our ancestors through sexual energy — there are some who believe that healing this chakra within yourself will also heal your ancestral line, past, present, and future.
Sensual Eating
Enhance your joy of life through awakened sensuality, or using all your sense doors to experience pleasure. One way to do this is through sensual eating. Before taking a bite of food, feast your eyes on the texture, shapes and colors of your food. Then take the time to fully enjoy the smell of your food and notice any interesting sensations that arise in your mouth or belly. Place your food in the mouth and before chewing, observe the taste, temperature, and texture. Slowly take a few bites to feel the burst of flavor, and see if you can detect the satisfying feeling of food flowing into your belly when you swallow.
Creative Expression
Find an activity that allows you to express yourself creatively, without fear of judgement or failure. This can be cooking, art, gardening, journaling, or movement… the list goes on… If all else fails, find time to play like a child, allowing yourself to enjoy or be present with any activity that inspires joy.
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