Journey Through the Chakras: Go With the Flow
The second chakra is Svadhisthana and is symbolic of water. It is associated with taking pleasure and is located in the sacrum, genitals, hips, knees and low back.
Svadhisthana represents ‘the right to feel’. If we cannot interpret how we feel then it is very difficult to know what we want.
The first chakra is about everything solid. This solidity creates foundation, which gives us the base of support to rise up from. The second chakra Svadhisthana is about water and the ability to go with the flow. The form transforms into formlessness. The principles of water are fluid, feminine, and rhythmic.
Qualities of Svadhisthana Chakra
Pleasure:
Pleasure allows us to move more deeply into the temple of the body. Pleasure allows us to expand while pain creates contraction. Our sensations are so important to the experience of pleasure. When we taste good food, or take a deep breath in the outdoors, we are opening the pleasure centers and creating an extension of the spiritual dimension. Some may argue that we need to shut off our senses in order to tune into the subtler body. However the senses are the building blocks to our emotions and feelings. Without them we become lifeless and disconnected.
Unfortunately we are often taught to beware of pleasure. We don’t easily allow our self to do what we want and instead do what we should. Eventually this can lead to resentment and frustration. Svadhisthana invites us to turn on our pleasure centers and delve into the deep recesses of the feeling body.
Emotions:
The second chakra is where the emotional center of the body lies. In a balanced state we feel emotions, but do not get overridden with them. If this second chakra is turned on too much we are overly emotional meaning our emotions begin to cloud our rational judgment. When this chakra is repressed we are shut off from our emotions and we feel very little. Repressed emotion creates tension and tension creates lethargy. We need to find the way to send the emotion out (in an appropriate way). The absence of tension creates a harmonic flow between the mind and the body. This creates an even deeper pleasure within the body, allowing deeper connection with others.
Sexuality:
Sexuality is the ultimate expression of Svadhisthana yet it can also be the reason why we have many issues with movement, sensations, pleasure, desire and emotions. In our western culture sexuality has been gravely misunderstood and mismanaged. This affects the natural flow of excitation throughout the body. Guilt is the demon of the second chakra. It halts our pleasures and self-esteem. To reclaim the second chakra is to reclaim our right to feel and our right to healthy sexuality.
Balanced Svadhisthana: Healthy boundaries, having passion in life and feeling alive, the ability to go with the flow and movements are graceful, nurturing of the self.
Excessive Svadhisthana: Change is necessary in order for the mind to stay active and alive. An excessive second chakra scatters the liberating energies too soon so it does not flow through to higher chakras. Therefore it is important to be honest with your self when exploring how much change is too much.
Depleted Svadhisthana: Fear of change, energy gets trapped in the structure of the first chakra and resists fluidity, becoming hard and stiff. Little passion and too much self-control. If we experience chronic tension in the hips, low back, and glutes try and tap into the current and flow of life.
Rituals to restore Balance: Connect with water. Take hot baths, drink more water, sit by the river or ocean. Add a flow and pulse to your regular yoga poses such as swaying and rocking the body. Change a routine (running route, clothing color, meeting place). Start with nurturing yourself and then begin to apply the principles to your relationships.
Y oga poses to restore balance:
- Sufi Grind: This deep rhythmic movement of circulating the hips, glutes and low back is wonderful to connect with Svadhisthana’s water element.
- Lunge Pose/ Anjaneyasana: Gently pressing in and out with the hip in sync with the breath.
- Pigeon Pose/ Eka Pada Rajakapotasana: Imagine the breath can reach right into the tension within the body and as you exhale carry that tension up and out.
The second chakra is the prime mover of energy. As the energy moves upwards, the soul is carried on the currents of emotions and desires toward growth. Through the solid base of our first chakra we are able to surrender to the prana and follow its natural course without losing our center.
Image Credit: Leslie Prentice
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Spiritual Cleansing Baths for Healing Your Aura
Regularly cleansing your aura and personal energy is an essential act. Whether or not you know it, you come into contact with various people and environments, all of which have their own energy vibrations. Not all of these frequencies are high and positive.
Thus, your energy field is constantly taking in and putting out vibrations. Some energy vibrations within your thoughts and external influences are low and will bring you down if left unchecked. While our energy body is constantly readjusting itself to bring our energy back into harmony, the negative energies can linger and build up over time. A monthly salt water bath is an easy and very relaxing way to cleanse your aura of negative energy.
We’ve mentioned other methods before, so why a bath? It’s because it’s a great ritual that combines to tie in body and spirit. When you immerse yourself in a ritual bath, you are participating in an initiation to open yourself up spiritually.
Ritual bathing cleanses you from physical and spiritual grime, thus purifying both your body and your aura. It signifies that you are willing to listen to your Higher Self and begin to trust something outside of your rational mind. It indicates that you are open to asking the universe to transform what you believe needs to be changed within yourself.
What is a Spiritual Bath?
We’ve mentioned other methods before, so why a bath? It’s because it’s a great ritual that combines body and spirit. When you immerse yourself in a ritual bath, you are participating in an initiation to open yourself up spiritually.
Ritual bathing cleanses you from physical grime and negative spiritual grime, thus purifying both your body and your aura. It is a signal that you are willing to listen to your Higher Self and begin to trust something outside of your rational mind. It indicates that you are open to asking the universe to transform what you believe needs to be changed within yourself.
How to Take a Spiritual Bath
Taking a spiritual bath is a sacred and rejuvenating practice that can help cleanse your aura and release negative energy while promoting inner peace and well-being. To begin, start by selecting a time when you can have uninterrupted solitude. This first bath is to be used only once a month, as it is very strong. It’s recommended to try it on a Friday close to a full moon for the best results. Energy therapist Lidia Frederico also advises, “DO NOT prepare or have the bath around 6 am, 12 noon, 6 pm, or 12 midnight, including half an hour before and afterward (so NOT between 5:30-6:30 or 11:30-12:30 for both am & pm)!”
Draw a warm bath. Then, add bath ingredients like unrefined salts, optional essential oils (such as lavender or sage), and optional herbs like rosemary or chamomile, which are known for their purifying properties. As you fill the tub, set your intention for the bath, focusing on what you wish to release or manifest. Before getting in, light some candles and play soothing music to create a serene atmosphere.
Step into the water mindfully, immersing yourself completely while envisioning the negative energy dissolving and being replaced by positive vibrations. Take deep breaths, meditate, or recite affirmations to enhance the bath experience. After your bath, allow yourself to air-dry (preferably) or use a robe and towel (just for your head), and dispose of any bathwater down the drain. Feel the newfound sense of clarity and renewal that a spiritual bath can provide, embracing the positive energy that surrounds you.
Benefits of Spiritual Bathing
Though they are different, spiritual bathing or ritual bathing can have great effects on your physical well-being, as well. Here are just a few benefits:
- The skin is an organ of elimination, and a saltwater soak will draw toxins and heavy metals from the tissues.
- The essential trace minerals your body needs are absorbed through the skin to improve health.
- Skin conditions can be aided as bacteria and other debris are also drawn from the skin, leaving the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
- Saltwater baths can help relieve muscular aches and pains as well as sore joints
- Circulation is increased, which your body can always use
