Swadhisthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)
If you are dealing with the psychic realm, it makes sense to understand and find out more about chakras. There are several chakras in the human body, among which seven are considered very important. If you head to any yoga school for the 200 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh, then you will learn about the chakras in great detail. The seven chakras are the most important parts of the aural or astral body, apart from the nadis. This is a very complex and ancient energy system, which you should know about.
For the unversed, chakra was already a part of the aura or koshas, that are located inside the physical kosha or layer. However, the world has started accepting this occurrence today in a profound manner. The popularity of yoga has led numerous individuals to delve deep into chakra sciences, chakra meditation, and chakra yoga. Let us find out what these are, and what is the speciality of the Swadhisthana chakra in general. If you enroll for a course at one of the best yoga center in rishikesh, then also you can find out more about this sphere of study or knowledge.
The Chakras Decoded
Generally speaking, chakras are nothing but wheels. They are energy centers located in the aural or astral body. You cannot see them mentioned in any yoga anatomy book, though. However, they do have major implications on the health, mind, and nerves. Your spirituality could also be affected, by their functions. Most learned men and women in this sphere of spiritual sciences, believe that there are 114 chakras in the human body. However, the seven chakras are the most important, due to their location along the spine. Each of these chakras has a corresponding planet, colour and function. Their blockage can result in negativity, pertaining to your health and wellbeing.
⦁ Let us start from the Root chakra, which is located at the bottom of the Coccyx. You can also say that, it is located below the tail bone. The colour of this chakra is red. It helps in maintaining balance, stability, and also keeps one grounded. If you are pursuing the kundalini yoga teacher training in rishikesh, you will find that this chakra also affects the Kundalini Shakti. It is near the chakra, that the sleeping serpent lies in dormant state.
If your Root chakra happens to be blocked, then it can manifest itself into several diseases like arthritis, constipation, and colon issues. You could also have problems with your excretory systems. Such people are always drained emotionally, and insecure as well. If the Root chakra is functioning well, you will feel grounded and secure. And it applies to both your physical as well as mental wellbeing.
⦁ Swadhisthana Chakra is the next chakra, that assumes a lot of importance here. You will be reading about this chakra that denotes flow and balance. It is located just below the belly button, and is orange in colour. Sexual pleasures and creativity stem from this very place.
⦁ Solar Plexus comes next. It is located in the upper abdomen area, in the stomach region. Also called the Manipura chakra, it is yellow in colour and is surrounded by self-esteem and confidence. If there are blockages in this chakra, you will likely experience digestive issues, and you may also have ulcers.
⦁ Anahata Chakra is the heart chakra. It is located at the center, just above the heart. It is green in colour and denotes life. Your love and compassion also arise from this chakra. If there are blocks in the heart, it can manifest itself in the form of heart issues, asthma, and weight gain. Obesity may be a constant worry for you. If your heart chakra is blocked, you will often feel that you are restrained. You may concentrate on the needs of the others, rather than yours. It also tends to form a bridge between the upper and lower chakras.
⦁ Vishuddha Chakra is the Throat chakra, which is of prime importance, if you are into communicative fields. You will have a voice of your own, if the chakra is clear. You must keep it free from any obstruction, so as to get the maximum benefits.
⦁ Ajna Chakra is also called the Third Eye chakra. It is located in between the eye brows. You can invite new reality into your lives, by dreaming. If this chakra is open, you can make your dreams turn into reality.
⦁ Sahasara Chakra is the last and ultimate chakra, through which you can become one with the universe.
Psychology Of The Swadhisthana Chakra
This is the second chakra, and also called the Sacral Chakra. You will surely study about this chakra in the yoga teacher training in rishikesh. But for now, we have many interesting things to reveal over here. The chakra is located below the belly button and in the lumbar region. The colour is orange. Furthermore, the chakra is connected to the element water. You need to visualize the location of this chakra in the center of the body, not exactly in the front or the back. This chakra is associated with sexual energy, creativity, and flow. Moreover, it is also connected with various physical functions. It also signifies the dwelling of the self or soul. If this chakra is unblocked, and works just fine, then it is believed that, you will be emotionally stable, pleasurable, and joyful all the time. You can manage all the emotions, which are generated from your own mind, and also be able to manage those of the others. It also helps to shape all your inherent desires and aspirations. Your power to create is also enhanced manifold.
If you want to know about the background of the chakra, you have to read further.
⦁ The chakra is made up of the water element. That is why, it is associated with flow. Furthermore, it is connected with freedom as well as independence. It also translates into care and wisdom. If the chakra is unblocked and performs all the desired functions, then you can assume all the feelings and emotions to pass through the mind and body, without any judgment.
⦁ The next important attribute about the chakra, is the colour. The orange colour represents the sunrise. When all the energies around you are aligned, it can help with an enhanced consciousness. The chakra can provide you with the life, that you deserve. Furthermore, you will enjoy balanced energies around you.
⦁ Thirdly, the Prana which is associated with this chakra is Vyana. It is the ‘Prana of circulation.’ It helps in the circulation of food, water, and vibes within the body. If the Vyana is too much, you will feel hyperactive. And, the problems will manifest itself by hindering focus and concentration. Too little can also harm you, by making you more lethargic.
⦁ Now, you might be wondering, how to identify, if the chakra is functioning properly or not. You can feel it as soon as it happens. This is a chakra, which is deeply connected with your emotions. If the chakra is blocked, you will always experience anxiety and depression. Another attribute of the chakra, is to lose control over specific relationships in your life. Furthermore, it can lead to obsessive compulsive disorder. It can also affect your career.
Apart from the above, you may also show some physical symptoms, if the chakra is blocked. They are-
⦁ Chronic pain in the lower back. The pain tends to nag a lot. The pain could hit you at any moment, and then disappear, before reappearing again. It will not be as acute, but will bother you all the time.
⦁ Moreover, you will also suffer from various reproductive issues.
⦁ Impotence could also set in.
⦁ You may also suffer from urinary tract infections.
⦁ There will be recurrent issues with the bladders and the kidneys.
⦁ You will also likely suffer from Premenstrual Syndrome.
⦁ Sinusitis is another issue that can arise as a result of its malfunction.
⦁ You may also likely suffer from Arthritis.
To make matters easy for you to understand, you should know, that an overactive chakra causes as much problems as an underactive one.
How To Open The Swadhisthana Chakra ?
Whenever you start feeling uneasiness with respect to the above mental, emotional, as well as physical symptoms, you should understand that, there may be certain issues with the sacral chakra. Some of the ways, you can give your chakra some respite, are given below-
⦁ Meditation – It can play a very important role in balancing and unblocking your chakras. You will come across various chakra meditation techniques, and the best part about them is that, they are all similar to general meditation guidelines. You can try doing Sukhasana, which is an easier version of Padmasana. While doing the meditation, you can also practice chants. ‘Vam’ is the mantra for this chakra. You can chant it for 5-15 minutes. If you do so, properly, you can restore your good health and balance. There are some related affirmations, as well.
They are-
⦁ I am following my passions.
⦁ I embrace change as a part of life.
⦁ I have a lot of creativity.
⦁ Yoga Asanas That Can Heal the Sacral Chakra – There are quite a few asanas, which you can practice on a daily basis, to open and activate the Sacral chakra.
⦁ Crow Asana or Kakasana – It is one of the poses which brings in mental clarity and focus. Furthermore, you will also feel a sense of balance emanating. It also strengthens the arms and legs. Your core awareness will be greatly enhanced, if you practice this asana on a daily basis. You have to start this asana, by standing on your yoga mat, with both feet shoulder-width apart. You have to bend your torso a little forward, along with the knees.
The arms will be inside the periphery of the knees and the body in general. The elbows will be sticking to the inside of the thighs. You have to maintain contact of the arms and knees, while you place the hands, palms down on the floor. Slowly try to lift one foot off the floor, while balancing your body weight on the palms. When you feel comfortable, you can lift the entire body on your arms. Hold the position for a while. All this while, you ought to breathe comfortably.
⦁ Trikonasana – It is the most popular Triangle pose, which we are talking about. It can balance the functions of the urinary tract, the kidneys, and the gonads, in general. You can stretch the body extremely well, on each side. The abdominals and the back muscles, are affected as a result. You have to stretch the arms on either side of the body, and ensure that they are parallel to the floor. Thereafter, you have to stand with feet apart, and slowly bed on one side. The hands on the bent side of the body must touch the floor. Hold the position for some time, and then repeat on the other side. You must ensure to breathe in and out comfortably.
⦁ Vasisthasana – It is also called the Side plank pose. This is one of the yoga poses, which strengthens the arms, legs, and the core muscles as well. It also channelizes all the energy to the sacrum. If you want to open the hips and the groin area further, you need to extend the legs all the way towards the ceiling. You can start with this, very easily, if you take the assistance of a renowned yoga teacher from Rishikesh. Hrishikesh Yoga School is one of the most prominent yoga schools, which can impart the right knowledge for you.
There are quite a few asanas, which you can practice, for your sacral chakra. They are forward folding poses, handstands and so on. The sacral chakra is mainly associated with the water element, and relates to flow. The best teachers can help you to understand the asanas, and the consequences related to the practice.