The Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra: The Center of Creative Energy
Seated above the root chakra, between the frenum and the navel, the sacral chakra – or svadhisthana – is the second of our seven chakras. Represented by the color orange and the element of water, it’s the seat of our addictions and ultimately gluttonous behaviors. If we work to balance this energy center, we discover a world of joy rather than sensory overload.
What is the Sacral Chakra?
The sacral chakra is the energy center of all creativity, relationships, sexual energy, and feeling.
When out of balance, the sacral chakra can be a bit of a dangerous place. The problem is not the desire for pleasure, but the relationship one has with pleasure. Should we live unconsciously to the underactive or overactive energy in this center, we can find ourselves deprived of vital enjoyment and personal power. On the other end of the spectrum, we might experience extreme co-dependencies, cravings, and compulsions.
A healthy sacral chakra facilitates creativity, movement, desire, personal power, and healthy relationships where we feel free to express our wants and needs.
A Balanced Sacral Chakra
A balanced and open sacral chakra produces radiant warmth, along with a strong sense of confidence and generosity. It also plays a key role in our sexuality, and the expression of our sexual needs and desires.
Physical Signs
Physical signs of a healthy, balanced sacral chakra include:
- Increased energy and desire to move
- Heightened sexual desire
- Overall sense of peace and calm
Mental Signs
Mental and emotional signs of a healthy, balanced sacral chakra include:
- Full creative expression
- Emotional balance
- Ability to experience pleasure
- Comfortability giving and receiving
- A generous spirit
- Body confidence
- Self-nurturing
- Ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries
An Unbalanced Sacral Chakra
An unbalanced sacral chakra can lead to addictive behaviors, loss of creativity, and emotional instability.
Physical Signs
Physical symptoms of a blocked or unbalanced sacral chakra include:
- Lower back pain
- Urinary tract infections and other complications with the bladder or kidneys
- Ovarian cysts or other reproductive issues
- Impotence
Mental Signs
Mental and emotional symptoms of a blocked or unbalanced sacral chakra include:
- Lack of desire
- Insecurity
- Low sex drive
- Overall fatigue
- Lack of creativity
- Feelings of depression
How to Unblock the Sacral Chakra
Balanced, open chakras are the key to living our most joyful, peaceful, and authentic life. A sacral chakra healing practice can help us more fully tap into our creativity and self-expression.
- Get near water! Go for a swim, take a bath, or walk near a beach, lake or river.
- Surround yourself with orange. Try eating orange foods, buying orange flowers, or wearing the color orange.
- Try creative and expressive activities, like painting, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.
- Yoga postures with a focus on pelvic and hip-opening poses.
- Breathwork to increase energy flow
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Affirmations
- Place orange crystals on your sacral chakra. Try citrine, tiger’s eye or golden topaz!
- Physical exercise (to “shake up” your energy!)
- Avoiding processed foods and sugar
Sacral Chakra Affirmations
Affirmations provide a powerful way to transition our energy into a more positive and receptive state. They act as gentle prompts for our subconscious, embedding themselves into our conscious awareness over time.
To maintain a healthy, balanced sacral chakra, try repeating one or more of the following sacral chakra affirmations daily:
- I love myself unconditionally and exactly as I am.
- I accept my uniqueness.
- I am grateful for the joy of being me.
- I embrace my sensuality and sexuality.
- I am connected to my body.
- Creative energy freely flows through me.
- I nurture myself emotionally and take full responsibility for my own happiness.
- My relationships are based on mutual respect and appreciation.
- I trust my loved ones, and they can trust me.
- Inspiration is always flowing to me, and I act on the great ideas I receive.
- It’s safe to get close to other people.
- I invite joy into my life.
- I am open to giving and receiving.
- I feel confident in my skin.
- I allow others to be who they are.
- I’m healing old wounds from past relationships. I release trauma and keep the blessings.
- I wake up feeling energized and eager to begin my day.
- Change is perfectly safe.
Sacral Chakra Meditations
Meditation is a powerful tool for opening and balancing the sacral chakra.
How to begin your sacral chakra meditation practice:
- Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed.
- Sit or lie down in a relaxed position.
- If sitting, place your hands on your knees, with your palms facing the sky. If lying down, place your arms to your side, palms facing up.
- Close your eyes, slowly inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
- Visualize a warm, orange energy center just below your navel, glowing and spinning as it radiates creativity and passion.
- Allow your thoughts to flow naturally. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the energy of your sacral chakra.
- Try to hold this intention for 5-10 minutes to start, or simply end the practice when you feel complete.
Remember, the goal of meditation isn’t to clear your mind, but rather to observe your thoughts and how they make you feel. If the above practice feels difficult to relax into, you can also try a guided meditation like this one:
