Svadhisthana The Second Chakra
Svadhisthana, the Second Chakra
The second of the seven main chakras, Svadhisthana, is symbolized by a blue crescent shaped moon with six flowering petals that is surrounded by water. Located directly beneath the navel in the lower abdomen between there and the pelvic bone and responsible for sexuality and reproduction, the Svadhisthana is rather closely related to the earth element Muladhara, where samskaras find inspiration for matters of expression.
A charismatic personality is directly associated with having a well balanced Svadhisthana, as is evident by the fact that many public figures have rather strong second chakras. The Svadhisthana also governs how we choose our personal relationships and how well we are able to connect with other people and rules areas such as sexuality, creativity, and emotions including anger and fear.
Characteristics of the Svadhisthana Chakra
Colors associated with this particular chakra are brown and orange and the element of water, which is literally present in all natural, living things. Because of this, water is prominently used in healing related to the Svadhisthana in mediums including drinking herbal infused teas and simply bathing in its purity.
The essential oils related to the second chakra include jasmine, juniper, musk, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang, as well as the gemstones amber, calcite tiger's eye, carnelian, citrine, coral, fire agate and opal, garnet, moonstone, and orange tourmaline.
The physical areas of the body governed by the Svadhisthana are many and include the adrenal glands, the appendix, the bladder, bodily fluids, gallbladder, the genitals, kidneys, liver, pancreas, pelvis, the prostate gland, the skin, middle spine, and stomach.
When the second chakra becomes blocked for some reason, physical symptoms may manifest themselves in the form of lower back pain and sciatica, pelvic pain, female reproductive disorders, sexual problems, constipation, difficulties with the bladder and kidneys, muscle cramps, decreased energy, and weight loss, as well as depression and nervousness.
Meditation and Visualization for Healing
The healing powers of both meditation and visualization have been used for countless centuries all over the world and gives us the ability to awaken the chakras and enable them to serve their purpose.
Visualizations may begin simply by slowly inhaling while imagining pleasant imagery including many brilliant colors, exhale while absorbing the energy from those colors and images and feel it permeate the body. Imagine hearing sounds of crashing ocean waves while the red-orange sun slowly sets down onto the water, feeling the energy sinking in the second chakra while keeping your breathing slow and rhythmic.
In addition to meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga, the Svadhisthana may be awakened and strengthened eating certain foods, including a vegetarian diet consisting of fruits and vegetable such as peppers, cantaloupes, mangos, and oranges.
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The Yoga Postures Used For The Svadhisthana Chakra Include:
- Bhujangaasana (The Cobra): To start the cobra yoga position, begin by lying on the stomach with the palms placed under the shoulders and the elbows tucked in close to the upper torso. Stretch out the legs with the tops of the feet pressing down toward the floor mat. Feel the pull within the thigh muscles while pressing the pelvic bone toward the floor. While inhaling, slowly lengthen the arms, bringing the chest area slightly up and forward. Continue on with the cobra position by drawing the tailbone under as the pelvic bone moves up toward the navel. Only rise up as far as you can without feeling any pressure on the lower back area while arching the back while pulling the shoulder blades back downward, also taking care to stop if you experience any pressure or discomfort.
- The Triangle: Begin with the body in a "mountain" shape, keeping the feet spaced apart while raising the arms to your shoulder level and in line with one another. Next, stretch the arms out from the middle of the back area before turning the right foot outward, keeping the hips facing front and turning the left foot inward from 70 to 90 degrees by pivoting the heel. Inhale while extending the spine, and exhale while bending toward the right, pushing frontward with the hips.
- The Twist: Begin the twist position by extending the left leg in front of you, then cross the right one over the left at the knee. Keep the upper body supported with the right hand firmly in place at the base of the spine while the shoulders are correctly positioned before beginning a gentle twisting motion. Now, with the left forearm, wrap it around the right thigh while turning the torso toward your right side, gently turning the head at the same time taking care to keep the chin parallel with the floor.
- Leg Lifts: While laying on the back and allowing the spine to extend fully along the floor, flex both feet causing the ankles to bend at their proper angles, touching the largest toes together while the inside of the ankles are approximately one to two inches from each other. Intertwine the fingers at the back of the neck, resting the thumbs under the muscles known as the trapezia, which connect at the neck and shoulders. Keep pressing the heels away from the hip area while extending the legs. When inhaling, lift the legs in rhythm with your breathing.
- The Crocodile: While laying flat on the stomach face down, bend both of the hands starting at the elbow and place the palms just under the cheek area for support. Then, raise the shoulder and neck areas from the floor and repeat.
- The Butterfly: Begin by sitting down with the back straight and in the proper alignment, and bring together the soles of the feet, touching the heels as close to the body as possible. Next, breathe in deeply while straightening the body, putting the back into its original, straight position then clasp the fingers together around the feet. Gently begin bouncing the knees so that they are in perfect time with your breathing, mimicking the fluttering beat of a butterfly's wings.
Keep repeating this position several times for a few minutes at a time before finishing by leaning slowly forward while exhaling and then returning to your start position and breathing in deeply.