Self-Expression and the Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is the second of the seven main chakras in the human body. In Sanskrit, it is called Svadhisthana, which can be translated as “sweet and lovely”.
Sexuality and sensual experience are central aspects of the sacral chakra. The sacral chakra is about vitality and emotional self-expression.
Concerning the energy channels, the sacral chakra is connected to the etheric and emotional body.
The sexual chakra is the center of communication of emotions and expresses our need for the flow of life energies.
In the body, blockage from the Svadhisthana chakra can lead to diseases of the genital organs or urinary tract infections.
Meaning and assignments of the sacral chakra
Creativity, joy, passion, and sensuality are the topics of the sacral chakra.
Through its connection with the internal sexual organs and the gonads, the sexual chakra reflects creative power and opens the energy channels of life.
The Svadhisthana Chakra, which in Sanskrit means loveliness or sweetness, is about a hand’s breadth below the navel in the area of the hip bones near the sexual organs.
Just as emotions cannot be tied up, life cannot be completely controlled. A blocked sacral chakra prevents you from experiencing sensuality and feeling the creative life energy.
The main assignments of the sacral chakra are as follows:
- Central themes: passion, sexuality, reproductive instinct, creative life energy, sensuality, creativity
- Seat in the body: below the navel
- Physical level: internal genital organs, kidneys, ureters, bladder, intestines, smell, taste
- Color: Orange
- Symbol: crescent moon (waxing moon)
- Element: water
- Goddess and God: Rakini (or the goddess Venus) and Vishnu
- Planet: Venus
Signs of blockages in the sacral chakra
The sacral chakra is responsible for processing emotional and sensual experiences.
Blockages arise from a lack or excessive intensity of such experiences.
Frequently there are disorders of the 2nd chakra in childhood due to painful experiences such as a lack of affection or severe trauma, e.g., sexual abuse.
Effects on the body when the second chakra is closed:
- Disorders of the ovaries or uterus, disorders of the testicles, erectile dysfunction
- Fungal diseases in the area of the genital organs
- Kidney problems, urinary tract infections
- Pain in the hips or lumbar spine
Disturbing sexual behavior during puberty can also lead to a blocked Svadhisthana chakra.
Those who could not live out their real needs often have problems getting in touch with their emotionality later on.
Effects on the mental level in an inactive sex chakra:
- Listlessness, orgasmic disorders
- Problems allowing and expressing emotions
- Unable to enjoy intimacy and tenderness
- Seal against the natural flow of life energy
- Feelings of loneliness
How can you open the sacral chakra?
There are various options if you want to overcome the blockages in this chakra and open the energy channels.
The goal of activating the 2nd chakra is to surrender to the flowing life energies. So it is possible to meet the deep need for a connection of the soul with the world and life.
Different strategies are helpful when opening the Svadhisthana chakra:
- Sensual and creative experiences for a connection with your sexuality, such as dancing or tantra massage
- Experiences related to the element of water, such as swimming and walks by the sea
- Incense, singing bowls, energy work, and gemstones
- Dealing with feelings of shame, embarrassment, fear, and feelings of guilt
- Detecting blockages in the body, for example, through chakra meditation
Addressing the Svadhisthana Chakra with Yoga
With a blocked sex chakra, the body often reacts with hip pain. Therefore, you should do yoga exercises that open the hip area.
In this way, tensions disappear, and blockages in the sacral chakra are released.
So the sensuality blooms again, and you feel a new vitality.
Feel the movements of the abdominal wall and the flow of your breath. Breathing is like the ups and downs of life, which has a liberating effect internally.
Prevention also teaches awareness of forgotten feelings. Pay full attention to these sensations; then, you can process them and be free for new things.
You also strengthen your Svadhisthana Chakra if you wear orange clothes more often.
Colored oils such as jasmine or ylang-ylang also spark the zest for life, provide security and get the inner fire going again.
Enjoy food with all your senses and eat lots of fresh plants. Then feel the summer in yourself.
Opening the Sacral Chakra: Awaken Creativity and Passion
An open Svadhisthana is the center of well-being for mental and physical joys.
If these are experienced intensively, they make life richer and more diverse.
The energy center is a valuable companion to focus on things that bring joy to life. Ingenuity and a fulfilled life, then find space.
An important step for opening the sacral chakra is to turn to the joyful elements of life.
The needs of the soul, like those of the body, can then be satisfied and enjoyed.
An important basis for this is love and acceptance of yourself.
Then positive bonds with other people, also in the partnership, are possible.
To open the Sacral chakra, it is important to draw attention to the given talents and, ultimately, be who you are.
Self-Expression is the Key to Open the Sacral Chakra
Often one of the most direct ways is dealing with talents that are already in yourself and that are expressed.
When Svadhisthana is open, sensual sexuality and devotion can be made possible.
Activation of the sacral chakra for a close bond with yourself
People with an overactive sacral chakra tend to go to extremes, which can show up in emotional outbursts, but also through pathological dependencies on other people.
In some cases, events can be over-dramatized. A below-average active sacral chakra can cause those affected to spend most of their time adapting to people and groups and trying to “belong”.
They run the risk of losing their authenticity and can no longer be themselves.
For those affected, it is difficult to recognize their wishes and needs because of their focus on mainly negative thoughts.
People with a balanced Svadhisthana have a close connection to themselves.
Blocked Sacral Chakra
A blocked sacral chakra can manifest itself physically through various symptoms.
Problems with the urinary tract, such as cystitis, urinary tract infections, bedwetting, and kidney disease, can indicate problems with this energy center.
Blood disorders and anemia are also associated with a sacral chakra blockage.
Skin problems such as dry skin and eczema also indicate a disruption in the energy center.
Women can be plagued by PMS, ovarian and uterine diseases, menstrual cramps, and menopause difficulties.
Triggers for a disturbed Svadhisthana can include rejected love over a longer period and sexual abuse.
Financial concerns, relationship problems, stress at work, and many other situations in which uncomfortable feelings arise can also influence the function of the sacral chakra.
How do I notice disorders in the sacral chakra?
Disorders of the sacral chakra are often manifested by emotional instability as the center of life energy affects it.
Those affected find it difficult to enjoy life and trust others; they are often shy, feel guilty, and are plagued by jealousy.
An imbalance in the second can affect sexuality. This is shown both by sexual disinterest and by excessive sexual activity.
Addictions that occur can also be a sign of a disturbed sacral chakra.
How do I activate and open Svadhisthana?
An open second chakra is important for our mental and physical balance. It makes life richer and is the basis for a full life.
Dedicating yourself to life’s positive and beautiful things is an important step.
The basis for this is self-love and acceptance of your own needs and yourself.
If severe trauma is the cause of an imbalance in the sacral chakra, it is important to draw attention to it.
You can also use various aids to activate and suppress the sacral chakra.
The conscious use of color thus helps to open and activate the energy center. Various healing stones and sensual body treatments are also helpful.
Various methods are suitable for releasing the sacral chakra’s disorders and blockages, opening it, and establishing a balance.
For healing, it is necessary to draw attention to past traumas that have an impact on the life of the soul to this day.
5 Ways to Open the Sacral Chakra
1. Working With Emotional Trauma and Emotions
Working with them also involves dealing with feelings such as guilt or shame. These can have a very blocking effect and prevent those affected from being themselves.
2. Using Color to Activate the Chakra
The color orange’s vibrations can help activate and open the energy center.
They can be used, for example, over accessories or clothing
3. Healing Crystals
Use citrine, orange jasper, or carnelian to activate the sacral chakra. They can work as jewelry or as decorations in the house. Learn more about this here.
4. Dance and Bodywork
Important sacral chakra exercises can be found in sensual bodywork, which can include massages and therapeutic dance.
5. Make Water Your Friend
In everyday life, staying on or in the water can support the healing of the second chakra.
To learn more about the chakras you can start with this Introduction to the 7 Chakras
6. Affirmations
Affirmations are also a great way to work with the sacral chakra.
