Before we start talking about the sacral-area energy center (the Svadhisthana chakra), ask yourself the following questions:
Do I struggle with being open to positive change?
Am I greedy for sensation or experience?
Is my outlook on life overly emotional? Too negative?
Do I feel so fearless that sometimes I am reckless?
Do I feel overwhelmed or swamped?
If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, you may have an imbalance in your Svadhisthana, or sacral chakra. Located between the kidney and genital regions, this energy center governs creativity, pleasure, sex, procreation, control and morality.
It’s where your dreams, fantasies and emotions reside. Its corresponding element is water which is fluid, flexible, cleansing and adaptive.
How do you know if your sacral chakra is balanced or imbalanced?
A balanced Svadhisthana chakra means you can blossom as a person. You are sensitive, intuitive, idealistic, accept change and can go with the flow. You have dreams and healthy desires. You use your creativity in a healthy way.
An imbalance in this chakra can result in constant flux, an inability to ground or set boundaries and a tendency to become over-emotional and dramatic. Feelings such as guilt, lust, betrayal and jealousy may arise. It is difficult to taste life’s sweetness.
Nothing is good enough. You feel you have no choice, no ability to change and no initiative. This can lead to aggression, a false display of emotion, denial of pleasure and fear of sex.
Physical diseases thought to be linked to an imbalance in the sacral chakra are atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), varicose veins, anemia, kidney and bladder problems, menstrual ailments and impotence.
Key Information About Your Sacral Chakra
Yantra: 6 petals, crocodile with snake tail
Mantra: VAM
Sense: Taste
Color: Orange
Anatomy: Kidney and genital regions, circulatory system (blood, lymph, mucus, semen, urine, saliva)
Element: Water
Asana: Kaliasana (Goddess Squat), Matsyasana (Fish Pose), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose), Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Pose)
Essential Oils: Frankincense, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Sweet Marjoram
Foods: Sweet fruits, water vegetables, herb teas, juice
How can you find balance in this chakra?
The chakras respond to stimulation through visualization (eyes), olfaction (smell), sound vibration (ears), taste/nutrition (tongue) and physical postures (asanas).
Use the key information outlined above to give you an idea about how to incorporate these senses in finding balance in your sacral chakra. For example, if your current emotions make you answer yes to the questions presented earlier, try wearing the color orange.
You could also meditate on the yantra of six petals or a crocodile with a snake's tail and/or try wearing Jasmine oil or Frankincense. In your asana practice, start including yoga poses like Goddess Squat and Bridge Pose and hold them for as long as you feel comfortable. They are great at stimulating this energy center.
There are many different ways to find balance within your chakras and the sacral chakra is no different. Experiment with different means to balance this area of your esoteric body until you find what works best for you.
