Wedding Yoga: THE SACRAL CHAKRA
I refer to the chakras regularly in my yoga classes. In fact, they are the foundation of my wedding yoga practice. Yes, they can be a little ‘out there,’ but I have seen some a-ha moments using them with even some of my premarital counseling couples. I am digging a little deeper from the bottom to the top. Feel free to check out the post on Muladhara or The Root, but today I’m talking about the second chakra.
THE SACRAL CHAKRA
The sacral chakra or Svadhisthana in Sanskrit, is also known as the creativity and sexual chakra. It is located above the pubic bone and below the navel, and encompasses the genital region. The word svadhisthana can be translated as “the dwelling place of the self.”
In order to connect with your sacral chakra, take a moment to find stillness and close your eyes. Bring your energy and awareness to your lower belly. In fact, take three complete breaths into that area.
No, do it now. Close your eyes and connect with your sacral area before you continue. No cheating or you’re missing out.
Good.
The sacral chakra is associated with the emotional body, sensuality and creativity and has the function of allowing us to freely and openly feel pleasure. Were you able to feel that?
A balanced second chakra leads to feelings of wellness, abundance, pleasure, and joy. All amazing things to experience as you plan a wedding. However, when this chakra is out of balance, a person may experience emotional instability, fear of change, sexual dysfunction, depression, or addictions.
So right now you are either patting yourself on the back or completely freaking out. If your sacral chakra is open and working, congratulations. You’re experiencing direct access to flow, flexibility, and fun. Celebrate that.
Blocked energy in the chakras can manifest in our emotional, spiritual, and even physical bodies. When the sacral chakra is out of alignment, you may experience chronic low back pain, urinary tract infections, pain during intercourse, complications with the bladder and kidneys, lack of interest in sex all together or difficulty expressing our emotions, needs, and creativity.
So, what do we do to balance svadhisthana?
1. Play. Play. Play! Use unscheduled time to be creative, to daydream, reflect and decompress, try new things and experience the unexpected with other adults or with the children in your life, make mental connections by asking “how else can I use this” or “what else can this do?” or sing and dance just for the fun of it!
2. Pranayama or Yogic BREATH. Left nostril breathing called Ida Nadi breathing will help to open up the second chakra as it brings forth lunar energy. Simply close your right nostril with the first two fingers of your right hand and inhale and exhale through the left nostril, only for 8 to 10 breaths.
3. Tap into your Sensual Self. Take a hot bath with yummy smelling salts or oils, explore your body with self-touch, or form a deep physical bond with your partner by exploring touch together (this may or may not lead to sex!)
4. Close your eyes and MEDITATE for 10 minutes with the mantra, “I am a creative being.” There’s a good chance that we’ve forgotten or avoided our innate creativity. Perhaps the repetition will allow our body and mind to remember just how creative you can be!
5. Practice YOGA. Since svadhisthana is located near your sacrum and hips, a practice centered around hip openers will balance this energy center. To balance the sacral, make sure to play with these physical postures:
Anjaneyasana or Low lunge
Utkata Konasana or Goddess Pose
Virabhadrasana II or Warrior II
Supta Baddha Konasana or Reclining Bound Angle Pose
Each of the chakras is also linked to a gland. So, if thinking about energy in your sacrum is too ethereal, think of connecting with your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. The inner part of the adrenal glands secretes the hormone ADRENALINE. It controls our emotions and response to fear.
So, how open is your sacral energy center? How’s your sense of creativity and sensuality? Did you find anything surprising as you reflected? Anything you would add?
The comment section below is always open to share your thoughts. Or if you want a personalized yoga practice or meditation, feel free to reach out.