Svadhisthana (Sacral) Chakra

I have had this quote taped to my computer for years...but it has been a tough one to put into action. There is a depth to this quote that connects to the sacral chakra and touches me deeply in several ways.

The sacral chakra is located in the pelvic region. This us also the location of our organs of reproduction, and therefore represents passion and creation, literally and figuratively. It invites us to indulge (sensibly) in pleasure, follow our desires, and use our creative energies to bring our dreams into reality.

An imbalanced sacral chakra would show signs of insecurities about appearance and sexuality, low self-esteem, and strong self-doubt. Trauma or grief may be stored here, especially for women who have experienced assault, infertility, or miscarriage...things definitely worth working through with a trusted therapist.

Reproductive issues would also be indicative of imbalance in this chakra. Sylvia Plath is believed to have suffered from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a reproductive disorder that I also happen to suffer from. The constant cycling of physical pain and emotional turmoil can be debilitating, and others' lack of understanding can cause one to internalize this as self-doubt.

This yoga teaching journey has really challenged me to overcome self-doubt and step into the unknowns of creativity. I have spent many years holding myself back and still struggle with this daily.

When I see this quote, I think of Sylvia Plath and her struggle, but also the deep and insightful work she created as a writer. I am reminded that although this chakra might hold a great deal of pain for me and perhaps for most women, it is also the source of our creative and powerful feminine energy.

The sacral chakra calls us to have the courage to fully embody our bodies and to embrace our full human experience...the good and the bad. It can be difficult work, but who knows what we could create if we embraced both our deepest pain and our greatest pleasure?

Yoga poses to explore the svadhisthana chakra include bound angle pose (baddha konasana), reclined bound angle pose (supta baddha konasana), bridge pose (setu bandha sarvangasana), goddess pose (deviasana), and garland pose (malasana).

If you're feeling some strong feelings, need some inspiration, and want to light your creative spark, you might spend some time near water. Perhaps hang out near a creek, pond, lake, waterfall, or beach.

What are some ways you bring out your creative juices? Let me know in the comments!

You can find a yoga nidra (guided meditation) on the Svadhisthana Chakra here: