One of the most beautiful practices to connect with, the Sacral Chakra. This is an area, expression that comes very natural for me, you will notice my teaching style is heavily influenced by it! MOVEMENT, FREEDOM AND PLAY!
So what is the Sacral Chakra? The sacral chakra, also known as Swadhisthana Chakra, is located two inches below your belly button but can radiate down into the pelvis and through the lower back, it has a close physical connection with the reproductive organs, bladder, lymphatic and circulatory systems.
This chakra is the centre of the search for pleasure, whether sensual or through your daily life experiences. It governs your emotions, your creativity, sensitivity, sexuality, intimacy, emotional well-being, and self-expression. An open, balanced sacral chakra allows you to experience intimacy and love freely and fully, to be honest and non-judgmental about your desires, and to live as your authentic self without fear.
As we move through life its very often we experience moments of feeling exhausted, over stimulated, depleted, or bouts of illness, this could be from an energetic blocks and imbalances as well as energy-sabotaging habits that prevent us from accessing our full vitality. When the Sacral Chakra is blocked we can physically experience symptoms like pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, sciatica, low back pain, urinary and kidney problems, reduced libido, irregular menstrual cycles, constipation, and pelvic pain. Emotional symptoms can include, boredom, feeling easily offended, fear of change, guilt about the past, low self-worth, jealousy and emotional stagnation. You also might find yourself stumbling into a creative block, unable to express new ideas.
How can I heal my Sacral Chakra?
The Sacral Chakra is all about embracing change within our lives, taking a step back and noticing resistance that appears for us, whether this is emotional, physical or something beyond our control. When we can acknowledge this resistance it's easier for us to understand and process. The Sacral Chakra we can explore life's pleasures, creativity and personal identity. You'll find if you're overwhelmed by others opinions or you find yourself feeling controlled or manipulated this can also create a huge block in the energy flow.
Get Creative
It's time to go back to our childhood roots and explore our inquisitive and creative side! Whether this just means doodling on a notepad, repainting the kitchen, cooking, dancing and gardening. We create when we find a new solution to an old problem. Any time we take raw materials, physical or mental, and transform them into something new, we are using our creative energy. Creativity can mean so much I so many different ways. I used to make jewellery and paint every single day, there didn't need to be an outcome it was an outlet to express something! Boredom can be one of the main 'symptoms' of an imbalanced Sacral Chakra, so time to find out those things that make you feel creative, a paint brush, the gardening spade, the sewing machine, the notebooks.
Start finding you again.
As we get older we start to lose our creative flare, maybe it's just a natural process but at what age do you suddenly loose your passion and playfulness? I have mentioned this so many times in classes before, you're never too old to learn a new skill, never to learn to play, never too old to START! As we accept life's responsibilities, jobs and routine it can be very easy for us to fall into the trap of a monotonous life. Routine and being organised are important but remember life isn't all about hitting that bonus, your child can go to bed late occasionally and by far the most important thing is stop sacrificing your creativity and things that you want to do! As we move through life, sometimes it seems that we must mould into less creative beings. In order to conform, follow the rules and fit in, we lose our unique ideas in the process. Adults become used to following what’s right, the latest trend, or what’s acceptable to others. You will see it as clear as day on social media, the need to change yourself as a person for social acceptance, other people's opinions can start to make us question our own decision making and actions. Often when we get consumed by the 'social media' world we really do get lost. So why not make the effort to limit your time online? I know that might sound like a wild idea, but reconnect to your discipline, before you go to bed, turn off your phone and be with yourself, think, read, meditate. DO ANYTHING other than ONLINE. As soon as you start to create time to yourself that isn't distracted I promise your flare will come back, those little curious thoughts of 'I want to go for a walk', 'I want to cook something new', 'I want to climb a mountain'. Your thoughts and mindset are limitless, so go explore and feel how amazing life can be!
Connect to water.
The sacral chakra relates to the water element and our ability to flow with change. You can reconnect with this element by spending time with water by going for a swim, sitting near the sea or flowing stream, or taking a bath. Why not make the effort to become more involved in your facial routine, did you know you can meditate or practice mindfulness anywhere? Next time your in the shower or bath, close your eyes and feel the water upon your skin, the rolling droplets as they roll off into the basin, the temperature, the heat but also how your hairs stand on end if to cold or there is a breeze through the window. The cleansing sensation of the water running over your head and face, washing away yet saturating you in an energy, I have lost many hours meditating in the bath and literally floating with no intention, I'm just resting, settled in a womb like space. I also found this connection giving birth to Gus! I floated in the water, meditating. The rhythm of water, the waves moving in and out are just like your breath, in and out, ever changing, always moving and infinite.
Affirmations
Placing affirmations can be so beneficial, the power of words are what makes or breaks our day. It can only take one 'bad' comment from someone else to put you on a downer, but it can also take one 'good' word to change your outlook. Surround yourself with positivity, positive people and your life will flourish.
“I deserve to experience pleasure”
“I am confident that what I offer the world is enough.”
“It is safe to express my sexual self in fun, creative and healthy ways.”
“I attract relationships with loving, good people who will support me.”
“I know I can embrace change and make the best of my future.”
“Every day, I experience joy and satisfaction.”
“I am full of inspiration and the potential for creation.”
“My body is vibrant, and I am comfortable inside it.”
“I am a strong, creative person and I love what I create.”
“I am ready for positive change and for deep personal growth.”
Your Yoga Practice
The beautiful thing about your physical yoga practice is you are always evolving, always moving in it, with it and always creating it. The Sacral Chakra allows you to cultivate that true connection to yourself, your personal identity, and this is what your yoga practice is all about. It's about listening in and seeing how you feel, and giving yourself the time to problem solve, sit with, let go. The postures connected to this energy centre are hip based and movement, just flowing, shaking and dancing! Go back to that visualisation of water, there are NO boundaries, NO guidelines, it's just infinite and true into itself.
Move your body in all directions, don't worry what it looks like! Be with those sensations that feel good, that feel uncomfortable, that feel unfamiliar, weak and strong. The more you explore, the more you learn. (On and off the mat).
Explore postures that are hip based, strength wise and flexibility wise:
Butterfly pose.
Pigeon pose.
Cow face pose.
Child's pose.
Half monkey pose.
Goddess pose.
Warrior poses.
Frog pose.
Wide legged forward fold.
Tree pose.
Reclined butterfly.
Use your curiosity to make your practice yours, it doesn't need to conform to what everyone else looks like in the studio.
After all, and how often have you heard me say...
"Your practice is about learning to feel, listen and have a conversation with your body, emotions and mind. No one else's".
These blog posts are a piece of my heart to you, take what you want, leave what you don't need.
Show up for yourself every day and enjoy every minute.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read!
V x