The sacral chakra is the second chakra. It is located below the naval extending to the genital area and is associated with the element of water and the color orange. The Sanskrit name for the sacral chakra is “Svadhisthana,” meaning “your own place.” This chakra is associated with sensuality, pleasure, and creativity. Because its element is water, it is characterized by flow and flexibility. The energy of this chakra is feminine, passive, and lunar. The key words representing this chakra are “I feel.”

A balanced second chakra leads to feelings of wellness, abundance, pleasure, and joy. It allows us to “feel” the world around and in us. As such, it’s an important chakra at the foundation of our feeling of well-being. Considered feminine in quality, sacral chakra energy is what gives us the ability to be open with and to nurture ourselves and others.

Associated with the water element, the sacral chakra is characterized by movement and flow in our emotions and thoughts. It supports personal expansion and the formation of identity through relating to others and to the world. It allows us to be flexible.

Human nature is to create. We may do this through procreation, cooking or baking, gardening, creation of art or music, manufacturing, and problem solving. Any time we take raw materials, physical or mental, and transform them into something new, we are using our creative energy.

Our society has discouraged many creative efforts, instead the focus is on practicality. Arts are being cut from schools. Electronics are moving in to take over our time and mental focus. We strive to fit in – to do what’s right, to follow the latest trend, to do what is socially acceptable. We don’t want to stick out in a crowd; being unique is scary and sometimes lonely (this ties into the root chakra and the sense of security).

Physiological: The sacral chakra is located above the pubic bone, below the navel. It encompasses the genital region, particularly the ovaries in women and testicles in men. In the back, it’s located at the level of the lumbar vertebrae. It is associated with the lymphatic system.

Imbalance: When the sacral chakra is out of balance, a person may experience emotional instability, fear of change, sexual dysfunction, depression, co-dependency or addictions. You may feel stuck in a particular feeling or mood. It’s important to note that the sacral chakra is directly related to, and is nurtured by, the root chakra.

The sacral chakra gives us the ability to relate to the world around us and allows us to cope with life on an even keel. A blocked sacral chakra may make you feel like you’ve lost control over your life. An underactive sacral chakra may make us unemotional, insecure, and unable to cope. It may manifest in a lack of self-esteem or self-worth. The opposite is also true. An overactive sacral chakra may result in being over emotional or being overly sexually active in a way that isn’t healthy. It may lead us into unhealthy relationships and into addictions.

Physical symptoms will manifest in the lower abdomen, back, and in the reproductive and digestive organs. Ailments may include constipation, back pain, urinary and kidney infections, abnormal menstruation, infertility, and/or impotence.

Non-physical disorders may include co-dependency, addiction, low self-esteem, insecurity, jealousy, depression, fear, and detachment.

Restoring Balance: The following practices may be helpful in restoring balance to the sacral chakra.

• You can open this chakra with creative expression and by honoring your body.
• Create. Play with the abandonment of childhood. Do not judge your work. Do not be limited by the fear of “failure.”
• Maintain a healthy sex life. Honor and respect your body.
• Practice left-nostril breathing, called Ida Nadi. This focused breathing helps to open the second chakra as it brings forth lunar energy. Close your right nostrils with the first two fingers of your right hand and inhale and exhale through the left nostril, only for 8 to 10 breaths.
• Meditate (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Focus on the orange spinning wheel between your navel and your pelvis that is your sacral chakra. The mantra sound that corresponds to the sacral chakra is “VAM.”
• Practice yoga. Poses associated with aligning the sacral chakra include seated pelvic circles, the butterfly pose, and the cobra pose.
• Implement sound therapy (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Chanting or toning sounds can help bring you back to balance. Sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in synchronistic harmony.
• Use stones to help you focus on the sacral chakra. Stones associated with the sacral chakra include citrine, amber, carnelian, moonstone, coral.
• Use essential oils to connect with your sacral chakra. Essential oils associated with this chakra include clary sage, geranium, jasmine, melissa, neroli, ylang ylang, tangerine, oakmoss, rose, rose geranium, vetiver, patchouli, vanilla, and cinnamon.
• Go to water. Swim, sit next to a lake or stream, take a bath or shower. Just enjoy being in or near the water.

The more in tune you become with your emotions and physical body, the easier it will be for you to sense when your chakra is out of balance. Becoming aware when you are experiencing imbalance will make it easier for you to intentionally apply tools to help you regain your balance.

When the sacral chakra is balanced, you feel in harmony with life. You are able to express yourself creatively and to mature with each new experience life offers — both good and bad.