March blew in like a lion – snow, ice, and
single digit temperatures, but now the winter spell is dissolving into
sunshine, blue sky and a growing presence of spring. The earth is stirring
awake.
My
creative energies are sparked and eager to stretch. I’m undergoing a fashion
craze, musing on fun, glitzy ensembles, impatient for floral dresses and lacey
crop tops paired with jean shorts. I’m sensing a shift in my yoga practice, and
in my teaching style, an energizing wave of inspiration that instills confidence
in my instinct and intuition. The arrival of sunshine plants ideas for writing
projects, so my temperamental writing self is momentarily satisfied.
This
sparklingly emergence of creative energy reminds me of the 2nd
chakra, the governing energy center for creativity, sensuality, sexuality, and
emotional identity. The temperamental nature of March is a good time to
contemplate on the svadisthana chakra, or the 2nd charka. I’m
dedicating this blog post to revel in its rich and vibrant energy.
In
Sanskrit, chakra is defined as wheel. Traditional yogic philosophy believes in
seven significant chakras located on the spine, connecting the subtle energy
body to the physical. When an energy center is healthy, energy flows freely,
spinning the energetic wheel. If energy gets stuck, the wheel stops spinning,
and emotional problems and physical illnesses arise.
Located right below the navel, the 2nd chakra resides in the lower abdomen, genitals, lower back and sacrum. A healthy 2nd chakra translates to feeling connected to others, to tapping in and owning your own unique creativity. It means fully enjoying good food and rich conversation, and being alive in your senses. You guiltlessly receive and give spontaneously. You feel comfortable in your sexuality and happily experience pleasure. You speak your emotional truth in the moment.
Repressed emotions get stuck in the 2nd chakra, including fear and even unprocessed feelings from a traumatic event. This disconnection from emotion throws a 2nd chakra out of balance, which can manifest in the physical body through low back pain, kidney, bladder and fertility issues, and even imbalances in the endocrine system. Resisting change is another sign of an unbalanced 2nd chakra. Water and all things watery in the body, such as tears and blood circulation, symbolizes the 2nd chakra. Ultimately, this chakra invites us to flow with the natural high and lows in life.
Located right below the navel, the 2nd chakra resides in the lower abdomen, genitals, lower back and sacrum. A healthy 2nd chakra translates to feeling connected to others, to tapping in and owning your own unique creativity. It means fully enjoying good food and rich conversation, and being alive in your senses. You guiltlessly receive and give spontaneously. You feel comfortable in your sexuality and happily experience pleasure. You speak your emotional truth in the moment.
Repressed emotions get stuck in the 2nd chakra, including fear and even unprocessed feelings from a traumatic event. This disconnection from emotion throws a 2nd chakra out of balance, which can manifest in the physical body through low back pain, kidney, bladder and fertility issues, and even imbalances in the endocrine system. Resisting change is another sign of an unbalanced 2nd chakra. Water and all things watery in the body, such as tears and blood circulation, symbolizes the 2nd chakra. Ultimately, this chakra invites us to flow with the natural high and lows in life.
While going with the flow, svadisthana, also wants us to play! The 2nd chakra is the home of the inner child. Bringing this chakra back to balance means honoring that inner creative energy that is childlike in its pure desire for play.
These
sun soaked March days are perfect invitations to play and be vibrantly alive. So,
whatever weather March delivers, let the svadisthana chakra happily spin, bringing
emotional well being and igniting your creative insights for the coming Spring.
Svadhisthana Notes and Tips:
Color: Orange.
Yoga Poses: Any pose that opens the groins and the hips is beneficial for the 2nd
chakra: pigeon, cobbler’s pose, open angle pose. Child’s pose is also a
soothing way to reconnect back to self, and remind yourself to honor and care
for your inner child.
Balancing Tips:
*Turn on an upbeat song and
DANCE!!
*Envision the red-orange of a
rising, or setting sun and breathe those sunrays into your being. Exhale and
exude light and warmth.
*Journal about your feelings, or
find a trustworthy friend to share them with.
*Create time to fully engage your
inner artist.
*Eat nutritious and delicious food
with uplifting company. If you like to cook, then show off your kitchen flair
and treat your friends! (And invite me!)
*Water is healing for the 2nd
chakra. Swim, take a relaxing bath, or spend time near a stream.
A 2nd Chakra Yoga Play!list: Go with the Flow
1. The Wolves & the Ravens - Rogue Valley
2. Blood Flood - Alt-J
3. Stay Alive - Jose Gonzalez
4. Atlas Hands - Benjamin Francis Leftwich
5. Where the Wind Blows - Coco O.
6. Upside Down - Jack Johnson
7. Truth - Balmorhea
8. Bloodstream - Stateless
9. La Mar - The Beautiful Girls
10. Imagine - John Lennon, and Jack Johnson does a very lovely rendition
as well
