Svadhisthana, the sacral chakra, the second chakra in the seven chakras energy system. Chakra is Sanskrit and translates as “wheel” or “circle”. This translation can begin to explain the way the chakra system works as a continuous stream of energy circulating throughout the body. Sometimes when we become stagnant in life or it is time to change the way we have previously been living, our chakras can become blocked with this stagnation.
Characteristics Of A Balanced Sacral Chakra
Svadhistana is located in the region just below the navel and includes the womb, testes, bladder, bowels, and large intestine. It also includes the hips, lower back, and pelvis.
Our receptive qualities and feminine nature are stored in this chakra. We can get in touch with our innate wisdom easily when the sacral is in balance. We are also able to easily receive and act in alignment to our feelings of inspiration.
The sacral chakra can be understood as how you digest and express your emotions. It is known as the emotional center and directly relates to one’s pleasure and creativity. This takes the form of how well you work with navigating your emotions.
The element of the sacral chakra, water, can give you a visualization of a balanced emotional body. Like a calm river with a gentle ebb and flow, the constant stream of the emotional body when in balance is fluid yet also stable.
When the sacral chakra is in balance someone can more easily experience and express their emotions without getting overwhelmed by them. It can show up as embodying fluidity, creating with passion, self-love, following one’s intuition, and a healthy relationship with sexuality.
It is also correlated with our relationship to our sexuality, healthy boundaries and openness to receiving. A healthy balance of self-appreciation and enjoyment lies within a balanced sacral chakra.
Traits Of An Underactive Sacral Chakra
When the sacral chakra is underactive someone might experience an aversion to compliments and experience self-doubt. This can show up as extreme shyness and lack of confidence. It can also show up as melancholy and depression.
A lack of joy and overall passion for life can be a symptom of a sacral imbalance. When life is viewed with a bitter taste in the mouth, it is time to take a look at the sacral chakra.
One may also struggle with self-image and be very self-critical. This self-criticism can also take the form of drying up one’s natural juicy creativity. Suppressed emotions will be stored in this chakra.
The emotional body may be overly sensitive and lack a sense of stability. This imbalance can show up as excessive crying, over-emotional reactions and taking things personally.
Activation Allies Of The Sacral Chakra
When activating the sacral there are tools you can use to open up your connection to this energy center. You can incorporate these elements into your daily habits such as listening to sacral sound healing music while showering, speak affirmations to your water before drinking it or simply dressing in the color orange. Some basic associated sacral chakra tools are presented below.
Yoga Poses To Open The Sacral Chakra
More advanced sacral chakra activation allies include yoga asanas or yoga poses, create their focus on the muscles surrounding the hips and cultivating flexibility. These yoga poses work to bring a sense of fluidity and inner calm when working with them. Asanas to open and activate the sacral chakra include Utkata Konasana (goddess pose), Mandukasana (frog pose) and Supta Baddha Konasana (reclined bound angle pose).
Affirmations For Sacral Chakra Activation
- It is safe for me to freely express and feel my emotions
- I am creative and passionate
- It is safe for me to feel beautiful/express my sexuality
- I deserve to feel pleasure
- I am worthy of joy
- I love myself
- I embrace pleasure and abundance
Crystals To Activate The Sacral Chakra
Healing crystals can be used during meditation, placed under a pillow while sleeping, or carried in your pocket throughout your day. The color of a crystal directly correlates to which chakra this is helping you to work with. The colors orange and gold support the energy and balancing of the sacral chakra. Some specific crystals to work with are:
- Carnelian
- Orange Calcite
- Sunstone
- Amber
- Citrine
When choosing a crystal to work with it is always important to use your intuition. One way to do this is to close your eyes and hold the crystal in your hand. Let go of any expectations and allow yourself to notice any subtle sensations arising while you are holding this crystal. Take note of the state of your mind as well.
If you are not able to hold the crystal before purchasing it, another way to feel which one may be the right fit for you is by imagining you’ve made the decision to purchase a specific crystal. Take note of how you feel after making this decision. Again, let go of trying to force a mental response. Allow your feelings to come naturally. Witness them subjectively. You may also decide to use this practice with two different crystals in order to feel the contrast on how you would work differently with each one.
Traits Of An Overactive Sacral Chakra
When the sacral chakra is overactive emotionally this can present itself as addictive behaviors and chasing pleasure. From chasing compliments to manipulating people for personal gratification, this can stem from the sacral chakra being overactive.
Self-absorption, a desire for drama, and flamboyant displays of one’s emotions can arise with this imbalance as well. This can take the form of sexual addictions and viewing others as a vehicle for personal gratification.
Another way an overactive sacral chakra can present itself is through an aversion to structure and an inability to stay within time frames. Strong waves of fickle emotions and lack of focus can also derive itself from this imbalance.
Techniques To Balance The Sacral Chakra
An over activation of the sacral chakra can be balanced by incorporating meditation to free yourself from the ego’s attachments. The approach this should take is one to let go of attachments to material objects and letting go of attaching to one’s identity.
Gratitude journaling can invite you back into feeling connected to the abundance you already have. Addictive desires become less strong when there is a prior feeling of satisfaction.
Gratitude journaling can be as simple as a list of three things you are grateful for. It can also be complex paragraphs or writing letters of gratitude to loved ones. To regulate an overactive sacral, avoid indulgent behaviors and impulsive decisions.
Grounding Techniques
The element of the sacral chakra is water. To bring some stability and a place for this excess water to run off to, we can bring in the earth element through grounding techniques. This will create a stable foundation for the changing tides of an overactive sacral chakra.
Journal Prompts To Heal The Sacral Chakra
This journal prompts offer you the ability to explore your unconscious. You may be able to discover blockages you have within your sacral chakra, learn how to better support yourself, and maybe where you may want to change your approach to life. To begin this journey find or create a space where you feel comfortable and are able to think without being interrupted. Then let’s dive in.
- How is my relationship with my emotions?
- In what ways can I express more of my creativity?
- In what ways do I take time to create self-care and self-pleasure?
- In what ways am I ashamed of myself?
- How can I follow actively listen to my intuition?
Heal All Seven Chakras
Through listening to our chakra system and what it is telling us, we have the potential to miraculously self heal. It is a sacred system you are currently reading about and you can connect to each one of them through meditation music.
Further Reading
You can learn more about all the seven chakras here or individually dive into each chakra by clicking each one below.
