Letting life flow through you, creates inner peace and harmony in giving and receiving.
Swadisthana Chakra – Sanskrit meaning – One’s own abode
The location of Swadisthana Chakra at the end of the spine in coccyx. It can be seen as a beautiful vermillion or orange lotus flower with 6 petals. The elemental quality of this chakra is water, signifying flow and fluidity.
The Elemental Quality of Water in Swadisthana Chakra
In the body the element of water represents the fluids in the body; blood, bile, mucus, semen and lymphatic etc. These fluids need to flow freely for the body to stay healthy. In comparison if a river becomes damned up for too long, pools of stagnant water are created, likewise with the body, if our water energy becomes stagnant for too long, ailments and disease can occur.
The animal associated to this Chakra is the Makara (half fish, half crocodile), signifying the ability to live in water and be able to swim in its deepest depths and then resurface again. It can be changeable, encourages creativity & balance.
In our personality our emotions need to flow too, holding onto emotions for too long can cause distress and anxiety. The actual word emotion comes from the Latin word movere, which means to move and the e in emotion means out, so the word emotion means to move out. The water quality of Swadisthana is deeply linked to our emotional movements. Often our emotions are experienced as existing under the calm surface of our lives and rise up and out unexpectedly like a water monster in the deep sea.
The body is made up of around 70% of water, as is the Earth. The moon is deeply linked with Swadisthana Chakra and has an effect on the Earth’s tides and likewise can affect the ebb and flow of our body’s inner tides. When the moon is full, it has the strongest effect on the waters in the body and our emotions and feelings can become more intense. There are also times when the water can become quite calm and still, and at those times we can take the time for quiet reflection upon our lives.
Swadisthana Chakra is also our centre for pleasure seeking, be it of a sexual nature, or other wants appetites and desires. These too can rise up like a wave of water to move us with intense power to get what we want for satisfaction. It is also the centre of our relationships with other people, our loved ones, money and the balance between giving and receiving.
When the water energy is Swadisthana is balanced and flowing freely, we feel in flow with life and literally go with the flow, we can accept life’s ups and downs as they happen. We are less judgemental of ourselves and others and are in touch with our emotions and sensuality. We feel creative and inspired by life because we understand that every day is an opportunity to enjoy life.
When the water energy gets unbalanced we may be over emotional and too sensitive, lack self-confidence, feel inadequate, don’t know what we want or we may over indulge and crave for sensory pleasures that can get out of control.
The organ linked to Swadisthana in the body is the kidneys and urinary system and the organ of action is the sexual organs. The sensory organ is the tongue for taste.
Water Energy Balancing with Asanas
Flowing sequences such as Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) & Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar) sequences, Mountain Pose (Parvatasana),Spinx Pose, Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Back Stretch (Pachitmottanasana), Forward Bending (Padahastasana), Hare Pose (Shashankasana).
Water Energy Balancing with Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra & Mantra
Pranayama: Humming Bee (Bhramari directing awareness into Swadisthana), Full Yogic Breath, Abdominal Breath
Bandha: Mulabandha
Mudra: Horse Gesture (Ashwini Mudra), Thunderbolt/Spontaneous Psychic attitude (Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra)
Mantra: Vam