Svadhisthana (Sacral) Chakra in Winter
If you’ve taken my class in recent months, you’ve heard me talk about the importance of getting grounded. As seasons change and our schedules change, we need to acknowledge how our lives shift in response to those things. More recently, class themes were focused on avoiding too much grounding. In our current winter season, it’s easy to choose staying in and staying warm versus going out in bad (and freezing cold) weather.
Fast-forward to today; we’re about half way through winter! Why am I talking about 2nd chakra balancing?
When autumn arrives, the winds of change encourage us to get grounded (which happens when Muladhara Chakra – the first/root chakra – is balanced). When winter arrives, we’re hunkered down and ready for what comes with stormy and bone-chilling weather. But now that we’re staring down the last half of winter: What happens?
Muladhara chakra is about putting down healthy roots and working on our foundations. The second chakra (Svadhisthana/Sacral) is about branching off, lifting and creating our own path forward. If Muladhara is about our most basic needs (food and shelter) being met, Svadhisthana is about creative movement, expression and emotion. Remember, when Svadhisthana is flowing and clear, our emotions are in check and we’re able to express ourselves clearly and openly. (continued below)
When Svadhisthana is in balance, this movement is graceful. It flows with beauty. This sacral chakra is typically associated with the need for creativity; its location is the sexual organs which are the seats of creation. To avoid stagnation of the winter season it’s important to create a routine of movement. Whether that’s getting up to work out (physical movement), or visiting a museum (creative activity) or even going out with friends (emotional expression). Even taking the time to write in a journal or picking up an old hobby you promised you’d get back to when you “had the time”, etc. could be the thing you need right now. If for no reason that finding an outlet for your mind and your creativity to flow.
Don’t accept guilt! Remember to show yourself some kindness. Sometimes we have legitimate reasons for not wanting to get out. Sometimes we need to let go of our normal flow and spend time sleeping, reading or doing restorative yoga. Give yourself permission to be human. If you need a little motivation to get you going, have a buddy keep you accountable.
How do you know if your sacral chakra is “out of whack”?
Physically, imbalanced Svadhisthana is exhibited by pain or stiffness in the low back or hips (boy, can I relate to that one!). Emotionally, it can lead to feelings of overwhelm or just feeling cut off. Creatively, it can feel like there’s a lack of imagination; like you’re feeling stuck. Perhaps there may also be sexual or reproductive issues.
In yoga, we balance our second chakra with movement likened to water flowing through a river. It has the capacity to move into various shapes, yet it’s still contained. Our winter, sacral chakra-clearing practice is built along those same lines; moving into various shapes, but within the container of where our breath takes us (steady in, steady out).
ASANAS TO BALANCE SVADHISTHANA/SACRAL CHAKRA:
Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana)
Wide-Legged Folding (Prasarita Padattonasana)
Triangle (Trikonasana)
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Hero Pose (Virasana)
Reverse Warrior (Parivrrta Virabhadrasana)
Location: Lower abdomen, sacral plexus
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Mantra: Vam
Affirmation: “I move easily and effortlessly”
In balance: Creative expression flows. Change is met with equanimity. Ability to experience pleasure.
Imbalanced: Rigidity in the body. Guilt. Fear of change. Lack of excitement. Emotionally oversensitive. Mood swings. Obsessive attachment.
