Three Yoga Asanas to Create Energy and Calm in Your Second Chakra

Given the pace and stress of modern living, it might be hard to recognize when the Svadisthana (sacral) chakra is out of balance. Some of the signals, like the tendencies to be a workaholic, to cry easily, to suffer from sluggish circulation, are so common that they’re hardly noticeable. These physical, mental and spiritual issues are easy to chalk up to just another day where you need that 25th hour. It’s only when the imbalances move to extremes when the blocks in this creative center lead to infertility, dangerous forms of over-indulgence and life-limiting confusion, that many people understand fully the importance of keeping this focal point of life-force free and unhindered.

Balance starts with knowledge. The Svadisthana chakra is often translated as “one’s own place or base.” (Learn about all seven chakras.)  It is located at the tailbone, roughly two fingers above the Muladhara (Root) chakra.  The pubic bone is the corresponding point in the front body.  The second chakra has broader associations with the hips, sacrum, lower back, genitals, womb, bladder, and kidneys.  Svadisthana’s element is water, and it influences all the watery flows of the body: circulation, urination, menstruation, orgasm, and tears. Its functions include procreation and the digestion of food. This is the center of your physical and emotional vitality and your sexuality. It also connected with the unconscious and with emotion.

It's color is orange and its sensory aspect is taste.  It's gemstones are carnelian, coral, gold calcite, amber, citrine, gold topaz and peach aventurine. Not surprisingly, its foods are liquids and orange fruits and vegetables.  In the bindi above its seed mantra, Vishnu, and Rakini (or Chakini) reign. 

Asana and Pranayama, along with freeing this chakra, is essential on every level.  Water moves, ebbing and flowing, as it finds its own course around all of the obstacles in its way.  Keeping balance in the second chakra will bring that flexibility, ease of mind, body and spirit and creativity into everyday life.

But it will also bring the kind of discipline that keeps this steady flow from becoming an uncontrolled torrent.  Overeating is as dangerous as under-eating, while healthful eating, opens the door to bringing your chakras— and, with them your life-force--into balance.  The same holds true for your sexuality, your need to relax and your need to pursue non-work related activities. In their proper place, these pursuits give meaning and pleasure to life. Done to excess, they lead to jealousy, confusion, and hopelessness. Addressed through a variety of yoga poses, it’s important to remember that “harder” or “more advanced” doesn’t mean better. Performing asanas isn’t a competition, even with yourself.

The aim of a chakra-based practice is to liberate all facets of self from unnecessary stress, unhealthy habits or ideas and anything else that no longer serves. Turning your eyes inside, it’s easy to imagine the possibilities of becoming truly “enlightened” as the chakras whirl unhindered, sending their rainbow of light and life into every cell. 

Many of the poses used to bring your second chakra into balance focus opening the hips, making the body adaptable and increasing flexibility. Take a few minutes to transition away from your day. Assume Balasana (Child’s Pose) or sit in Sukhasana (Easy Pose), placing the backs of your hands on your knees.  Draw the breath up from the pelvic floor, then through the lower abdomen, mid-body, chest, throat, and crown. Exhale in the opposite order, allowing the front body to release toward the back body. Continue this rhythmic breath for one to five minutes, then try these poses: 

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