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Mala Beads
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The sacral chakra is the second of the seven main chakras or energy centers located below the navel where the perineum is.
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Outline of the Sacral Chakra
Location: Lower abdomen (genitals, sacrum, lower back, hips)
Associaded Color: Orange Chakra
Element: Water
Bija Mantra (seed syllable): VWAM
Affirmations: Sacral Chakra Affirmations
Sanskrit Name: Svadhisthana (sweetness, “my own sweet abode”)
Purpose: Movement and connection
Nerve Plexus: Sacral
Endocrine Gland: Gonads
Associated Crystals: Sacral Chakra Crystals such as Carnelian, Amber, Sandstone
Origins of the Chakra Energy Centers
The ancient wisdom of the chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BCE, and the Vedas is the ancient text that introduces the seven chakras. The sacral chakra, also known as the sex chakra, is the second of the seven main chakras. The chakra location is around the lumbar spine, below the navel or under the belly button. It represents sexuality and creativity. In Sanskrit, the sacral chakra is called the Swadhisthana Chakra, which translates to two Sanskrit words - Swa meaning self, and Adhishthana meaning established.
The sacral chakra comes after the root chakra and before the solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra, and crown chakra, which together make up the subtle energy system. The word chakra is a “spinning wheel” of energy that runs up and down the spine, from the base to the top of the head. Each transducer of energy relates to different emotional and physical functions in the human body. Concepts of the seven chakras came to the Western world in the 1880s from tantric yoga traditions and continue to be studied today.
Functions of the Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is associated with pleasure, sexuality and joy. It supports emotional and physical health aspects and governs many of the body’s fluids, from the sex organs, the bladder, and the kidneys.
Kundalini energy lies dormant at the base of the spine until wellness practices, such as meditation, asanas, and pranayama, activate it. Energy flowing through the sacral chakra will allow one to feel dynamic, stimulated, and confident. A balanced sacral chakra will support sensuality, creativity, and healthy emotions.
The sacral chakra is associated with one’s relationships. It can support a healthy relationship by helping one create intimate relationships and healthy boundaries. Restoring balance in the sacral chakra will, in turn, restore balance in relationships.
Blocked chakra energy can negatively impact the physical body, mental state and general well-being. If one is experiencing any of the following negative qualities, this may be a sign that their sacral chakra is out of balance:
Physical symptoms:
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Lower back pain
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Hypoglycemia
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Kidney issues
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Joint problems
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Anemia
Mental symptoms
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Low energy
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Loneliness
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Lack of creativity
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Detachment
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Emotional instability
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Problems with intimacy
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Feeling overwhelmed
If one is experiencing a combination of these symptoms, one may have a blocked sacral chakra. We recommend practicing some of the following exercises to balance your sacral chakra, which will allow life force energy to flow freely through the subtle body.
Exercises for a Balanced Sacral Chakra
Many practices can help open and balance the sacral chakra. Restore balance today by practicing exercises to heal your second chakra:
Meditation: Chakra meditating that invokes the water element can be very healing and therapeutic, bringing emotional balance to the body. Here are two chakra meditation techniques that are effective in activating the sacral chakra:
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Visualization meditation: Begin by sitting comfortably and slow your breathing. Focus on your breath until you find a steady rhythm. Once you establish this focus, shift your attention to visualizing the color orange. You may focus the color in the area of the sacral chakra. An alternative visualization could be picturing a calm body of water, such as the ocean or a lake, and a clear open sky. Continue the practice for several minutes.
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Chanting meditation: Sit comfortably in a reclined position and close your eyes. Visualize a flat, white moon that goes from your knees and extends up your navel. Repeat the mantra “vwam.” You can continue this meditation for anywhere from 1-20 minutes.
Essential Oils: Certain essential oils can help heal an imbalanced sacral chakra. Application methods include applying them directly to the skin or diluting and adding them to a bath. Here are some of the primary essential oils that are effective in opening the sacral chakra:
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Sandalwood
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Jasmine
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Clary sage
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Pink pepper seed
Affirmations: Practice affirmations by writing them down, saying them aloud or a combination of both. Here are some of the affirmations that will heal negative programming and help open the sacral chakra:
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“I deserve pleasure in my life.”
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“I absorb information from my feelings.”
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“I embrace and celebrate my sexuality.”
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“My sexuality is sacred.”
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“I move easily and effortlessly.”
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“Life is pleasurable.”
Yoga asanas: Several asanas help open the Svadhisthana chakra. Here are two effective yoga poses that will allow life force energy to flow freely through the second chakra:
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Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose): Begin standing with your feet wide apart in a turned-out position. Bend your knees and try to align your thighs, so they are parallel with the ground. Make sure to bend your knees over your feet, and your shoulders are above your hips. Lengthen your back and join your palms together in front of the heart. Hold the posture for several breaths.
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Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose): Lie down on your yoga mat, bend your knees, and bring the soles of your feet together, allowing the knees to fall toward the floor. Put your palms on your abdomen and feel it expand as you inhale and exhale. Allow your body to sink deeper into the ground with each breath. Manifest creative energy and confidence in yourself, and carry this sense of openness and joy throughout the day.
Additional Yoga Poses
In addition to two yoga poses above, we have listed an additional couple of poses below to help balance and activate this energy center. These poses are designed to help you tap into your creativity, sensuality, and emotional expression, and can be especially helpful if you are feeling stuck or disconnected from your emotions.
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Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose): Sit with the soles of your feet touching and gently flap your legs like the wings of a butterfly. This pose helps to release tension in the hips and groin, and promote a sense of openness and fluidity.
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Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose): Lie on your back with the soles of your feet touching and allow your knees to fall open. This pose helps to release tension in the hips and lower back, and promote a sense of relaxation and surrender.
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Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge Pose): Step one foot forward and bend your front knee, bringing your hands to your hips or reaching your arms towards the sky. This pose helps to activate the sacral chakra by opening up the hips and promoting a sense of sensuality and creativity.
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Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon Pose): From Low Lunge, bring your front knee towards your opposite wrist and extend your back leg behind you. Fold forward and rest your forehead on the ground, or lift up onto your hands. This pose helps to release tension in the hips and promote a sense of emotional release and openness.
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Dhanurasana (Bow Pose): Lie on your stomach and bend your knees, reaching back to hold onto your ankles. Lift your chest and thighs off the ground, and focus on your breath. This pose helps to activate the sacral chakra by promoting a sense of joy and playfulness, and stimulating the flow of creative energy.
Other methods can balance the sacral chakra if none mentioned are of interest. These include using sacral crystals, physical exercise, or incorporating shades of orange into daily life. Since the sacral chakra is associated with the water element, taking a warm bath, swimming, or existing near water is also beneficial. Certain foods can balance the sacral chakra. These include foods that are rich in healthy fats such as fish, nuts, and seeds, as well as orange foods.
Healing your second chakra will improve your physical and emotional well-being, but this will not happen overnight. Practice these exercises regularly for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when the sacral chakra is blocked?
When the sacral chakra is blocked, one may experience problems with their physical and mental health. Physical problems include issues with reproductive organs, menstrual cramps, lower back pain, urinary tract infections and negative changes in sexual interests. One may also experience issues in their adrenal glands, kidneys and bladder.
Emotionally, you may experience sexual shame, discomfort in your body and the feeling of being closed off. Moreover, you may have trouble with creative expression and feel disconnected from your sensual side. Read how to open your sacral chakra if you think it may be out of balance. The sacral chakra awakens when there is a harmonious flow of feminine energy through the energetic body.
Which crystals for sacral chakra?
Healing crystals can help heal a blocked sacral chakra. In addition, they are effective in healing an overactive or underactive sacral chakra. The crystal can be placed over the chakra during meditation, distributing them around the home, wearing them as jewelry such as a chakra bracelet, or carrying them with you when you require creative and sexual energy. According to Victoria Stokes, some sacral chakra crystals include the following:
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Orange calcite: Heals emotional issues.
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Autumn jasper: Promotes feeling compassionate and protectiveness of our positivity.
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Mookalite (red): Helps us embrace changes in our lives and resolve situations.
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Citrine: Manifests joy and allows us to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.
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Carnelian: Helps unleash your creativity and discover hidden gifts.
Why is my sacral chakra overactive?
There are specific symptoms of an overactive sacral chakra. These include feeling consumed by emotions, engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviors, and intense emotional highs and lows.
An overactive sacral chakra means that the energy center sends too much energy through the body and becomes flooded with overwhelming feelings. Practice some of the balancing exercises mentioned earlier to harmonize your energy.
Why does my sacral chakra hurt?
If your sacral chakra hurts, it is likely a sign of an unbalanced sacral chakra. Review our section on how to open your sacral chakra to learn how you can heal this imbalance.
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References
What evidence is there that chakras exist?
Sacral Chakra: Location, Meaning, Balancing, and More
THE SACRAL CHAKRA .. | The RefineryThe Refinery
(PDF) The Physiological Foundation of Yoga Chakra Expression
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