Chakras are energy centers in our body that handle the ebb and flow of our lifeforce. When your chakras are out of balance or blocked, you will see negative effects across your physical body and within your personal spirit. If your sacral chakra is weak or overactive, you may feel imbalanced sexual needs, lost creativity, a lack of motivation or quickly irritated by small things.
The chakras are part of an ancient belief system with roots as far back as 1500 BC. The focus of this post is the sacral chakra (or second chakra). We’ll look at why it’s vital to keep this chakra in balance and what to do when it needs energy healing.
What is the Sacral Chakra?
The sacral chakra, or Svadhisthana in Sanskrit, is located about two inches below your navel in your lower abdomen. This chakra forms your most intimate connections in life, including personal relationships, sexual connections and deep sensations of pleasure.
This is the chakra that gives you feelings of yearning, creativity and satisfaction. It is the body’s pleasure center that speaks to you from within and says, “I desire.” It impacts the lymphatic and circulatory systems, reproductive organs, large intestines and bladder.
The hue of the sacral chakra is the vibrant color orange. Its element is water, which flows and spreads much like pleasurable energy. This chakra also has a strong connection to the moon.
Animals that radiate strong life force energy are the sacral chakra animals. The tiger has physical prowess and status as an apex hunter. Bees, frogs, crocodiles and dolphins are also symbols due to their dominance.
Symptoms of a Blocked Sacral Chakra
The balance of your chakra strongly affects your openness to new experiences. When this chakra is imbalanced, you become blocked creatively, sexually and interpersonally. You may even feel that you just can’t get any deep pleasure out of life.
Signs of an Overactive Sacral Chakra
When we think of blocked chakras, we tend to think in terms of “lacking,” as if the chakra is just weak. However, an imbalance cuts both ways. Sometimes the sacral chakra is overactive because the output is blocked, and this causes problems too.
Here are some common signs that your sacral chakra is overactive.
Sexual Addiction: Sexual addicts may have overactive chakras because they feel sexual urges but feel no satisfaction from everyday sexual pleasures.
Rage/Overreaction: Do you anger quickly or overreact to small things? Do people describe you as having a quick temper? This can come from an overactive sacral chakra.
Argumentative: When you can’t handle a discussion calmly, check in with your chakra. It could be the source of anger.
Codependence: If you are overly reliant on someone else, this codependence could be the result of an imbalance.
Muscle Tension: When the second chakra is overworked, people often experience it as muscle pain and tension.
Abdominal Pain: Pain stemming from the core of the is another sign that there is excessive energy flow going on.
Emotional Instability: Manic behavior or feeling out of control with your emotions may occur when the sacral chakra is in overdrive.
Substance Abuse: Some turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate when their sacral chakra is out of whack.
Symptoms of an Underactive Sacral Chakra
If you tend to feel low, sluggish, overwhelmed and unmotivated, your sacral chakra may be underactive. Let’s look at some common symptoms of a sacral chakra that is blocked from receiving energy.
Excessive Fantasizing: Do you find yourself fantasizing about a celebrity rather than enjoying your partner? This is a sign that your chakra needs attention.
Laziness: Are dishes piling up in the sink? Would you rather watch TV than accomplish anything? Laziness can be a symptom of an underactive chakra.
Self-depreciation: If you constantly make jokes at your own expense, this can be a sign that you’re not connected to your feelings of confidence and self-esteem.
Pessimism: Do you assume the worst will happen? Pessimism is a classic sign of an underactive sacral chakra.
Depression: An imbalance in this chakra can also lead to severe depression, which may involve long periods of isolation, feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.
Constipation: Your sacral chakra is located within the abdomen, so you may experience constipation when it needs to open up.
Low Libido: A lack of sexual energy is common when the sacral chakra is underactive. Do you lack a sex drive? Do you tend to push away feelings of sensual pleasure?
Irregular Menstruation: The understimulated sacral chakra can create an imbalance in the reproductive system that leads to irregular periods, irregular ovulation and hormonal imbalances.
Urinary and Bladder Infections: Frequent urinary or bladder infections could be due to an underactive sacral chakra.
Symptoms of a Balanced Sacral Chakra
The signs of an open and fully balanced chakra include “trusting your gut” and exuding expressive and passionate emotions. Because this chakra is located in the lower abdomen, its health also affects the health of your abdomen, pelvis and surrounding organs.
Passion
What makes you feel passionate in life? Is it art? Your spouse? A big project you’re working on? Having a passion project is a sign that your chakra is open and healthy.
If it’s hard to remember the last time you really felt passionate about anything, your sacral chakra may be blocked.
Presence
The second chakra is associated with your feeling of being fully present within your own body.
When the chakra is imbalanced, people feel disconnected from their bodies. Even the sensation of your own hands running across your body may be unpleasant when the sacral chakra is suffering.
Sensuality
Do you feel open to new sexual experiences and comfortable in your personal sense of sexuality?
Women often experience a blocked chakra as embarrassment or shame. These feelings may come from difficult past experiences and will need careful healing in order to restore balance to the Svadhisthana.
Creativity
For an artist, writer, designer, dancer, entrepreneur or other creative types, a blocked chakra can be terrible. You’re unable to find the energy center that once fueled your work.
Connections
This chakra affects your ability to form connections with others and yourself. You may have trouble feeling a bond with your true self, which affects your confidence and self-esteem.
When someone asks how you are, do you say, “Fine” without a second thought? Rethink whether an imbalanced sacral chakra could be contributing to this lack of connection to your emotions.
Stability
You may feel unstable when this chakra is out of balance. This can lead to serious behavioral issues like addiction, codependency and an overwhelming fear of change.
Think about the last time you faced a life challenge, like moving to a new house, starting a new job or going on a first date. Were you able to meet this challenge with confidence?
Joy
This chakra is also tied to our ability to feel pure, natural, open-hearted joy in our day-to-day lives. Sources of joy are all around us, but an imbalanced chakra blocks us from seeing the silver lining or appreciating the simple things in life.
What Causes a Blocked Sacral Chakra?
Identifying the underlying causes of a chakra imbalance takes a thoughtful approach. Let’s look at what could be contributing to your out-of-balance 2nd chakra.
Relationship Conflicts
Because this chakra is closely tied to your relationships, its health is affected by conflict with others. Whether you are single or married, a parent or not, your relationships require open energy flow from the sacral chakra.
Were you rejected by someone you had a crush on? Did someone at work embarrass you? Do you have a grumpy teenager in your household? All of these people can throw you off balance.
Sexual Incompatibility
In your sexual relationships, an imbalanced sacral chakra is unhealthy. You may feel a total lack of sexual interest or believe that your partner is disinterested, whether that’s true or not.
Think about the last time you felt criticized or ashamed in the bedroom. Then think back to the last time you felt sexually comfortable and curious.
Past Trauma
Growing up in a sexually repressed home, religion or circle could lead to a blocked sacral chakra. Experiencing assault or abuse of any kind could also cause an imbalance in the sacral chakra. You will need to acknowledge past traumas and take the time to heal to balance your sacral chakra.
If you have experienced past trauma, you may need to heal your root chakra to give yourself a sense of safety and security before addressing the sacral chakra.
Creative Rejection
Rejection comes in many forms, and creative rejection is a painful one. Did someone criticize your artwork? Make fun of your singing voice? Cast doubt on your ability to complete a big project?
Or perhaps the creative rejection is coming from within your own mind. Do you frequently criticize yourself and question your creative ability?
Healing the Sacral Chakra
If you’re seeing yourself in some of the scenarios described above, take comfort in knowing that there are many healthy ways to heal the sacral chakra. Chakra balancing involves careful techniques that restore energy flow.
Acknowledge Your Need for Healing
The first step towards healing is acknowledging the need. Honor your body by giving it the support it needs.
Eat Centering Foods
Oranges, melons, coconuts, papayas and other sweet foods help open, nourish and heal your sacral chakra. Nuts, seeds, butternut squash, fermented foods, pumpkin and other orange-colored foods are helpful for supporting the sacral chakra. Cinnamon is also useful for improving digestion and supports the reproductive system.
Incorporate Essential Oils
Sandalwood, patchouli, orange, rose and ylang-ylang essential oils can be used as a healthy way to incorporate aromatherapy. I highly recommend my I am connected or I am confident oil blends.
Use Healing Gemstones
Healing stones like citrine, carnelian, orange calcite and other orange stones are associated with this chakra. Moonstone can also be used because of this chakra’s association with water and the moon.
Practice Yoga
To use yoga for sacral chakra healing, try hip-opening yoga poses like Upavistha Konasana (Open Angle Pose) or Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose).
Connect with Water
Since water is the element associated with the second chakra, you’ll need plenty of it to stay in balance. Drink plenty of water and expose yourself to water by taking a bath, swimming in a lake or a pool or hiking along a river.
Stare at the Moon
When’s the last time you gazed up at the moon? Step outside and rebuild your connection to the moon and its changing face.
Sacral Chakra Affirmations
Start by rubbing the lower part of your abdomen where your sacral chakra is located. While touching this part of your body, take a deep breath in and draw the air down deep into the belly. Repeat affirmations that focus on relationship safety and stability, like:
- I am grateful my creative energy is on fire.
- I am in a shift, allowing my true self to show up.
- I’m fired up.
- I am safe receiving and experiencing pleasure.
- I easily receive pleasure.
- I give, and I receive.
- I am whole, and I am healed.
- I feel strong, sensual, and sexual.
- I am a creator, and my creation energy is open and active.
Sacral Chakra Awakening
When your sacral chakra is balanced, you should notice a shift in your relationships with people, foods, spirituality, animals and nature. You might also feel a stronger sense of intuition, emotional regulation, creativity and sexual intimacy.
Building and maintaining a balanced second chakra is a lifetime pursuit that takes patience and self-love. Practice these sacral chakra healing techniques regularly, and you will notice a huge improvement in your well-being.
Find out which of your chakras are open, weak or closed.
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