By Faye Martins
The Second Chakra or Svadisthana Chakra is located in the lower part of the abdominal area below the belly button. The Second Chakra is primarily concerned with a sense of place, emotional fluidity and sensual pleasure. A balanced Second Chakra allows a Yogi or Yogini to easily adapt to changes and to be in touch with his or her feelings about those changes. The Svadisthana Chakra is associated with the sacrum, lower back, bladder, kidneys, uterus and genitals. Yoga poses that open and enliven these areas help to balance the Second Chakra.
The Second Chakra can become stagnant or frozen for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons for a Second Chakra imbalance is sexual abuse or a traumatic surgical procedure in that area. An unawareness of feelings (emotional numbing), resistance to pleasure and change, as well as lower back, reproductive organ and hip issues all reflect a Svadisthana Chakra that needs some tender loving care, compassion and opening in a safe environment. Pigeon Pose and Bound Angle Pose both help to release and relax the organs, muscles and tendons in the Second Chakra area, thereby stimulating more energy, pleasure and fluidity. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, you may want to consult a professional therapist or healer as you work on opening up and balancing the Second Chakra.
Pigeon Pose or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
This pose is a very powerful way to release deeply-held tension in the hip and groin areas. It is recommended that you warm up your body with several Sun Salutations before practicing Pigeon Pose. After you have warmed up, begin practicing Pigeon Pose by standing at the top of your Yoga mat in Mountain Pose.
The most fluid way to enter into Pigeon Pose is through a Sun Salutation. From Downward Facing Dog, lift your right leg up in the air behind you and then gently bring it forward and place your shin, ankle and foot on your Yoga mat in a triangular shape. The acuteness of your triangle will depend on your level of flexibility. Only go as far as you are comfortable. With an exhale, slowly bend over your bent leg. Hold for five complete Yogic breaths. With an inhale, come back up into Downward Facing Dog, with your next exhale come forward into Forward Bend and then inhale to come up into Mountain Pose. Repeat on the other side.
Bound Angle Pose or Baddha Konasana
Bound Angle Pose is very relaxing and will help to release tension in the Second Chakra area, particularly in the inner legs. This pose can feel vulnerable to Yoga practitioners who have suffered sexual abuse. Please proceed with compassion and tenderness. To practice Baddha Konasana, lie on your Yoga mat. Bring the soles of your feet together to form a triangle. Bring your feet as close to your perineum as is comfortable. Hold for several minutes, breathing deeply and filling your Second Chakra area completely with fresh oxygen. To release the pose, stretch your legs out straight and rest for several minutes in Shavasana.
© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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Thanks a lot for the article, what about other six chakras
Pigeon Pose and Bound Angle Pose both help to release and relax the organs, muscles and tendons in the Second Chakra area, thereby stimulating more energy, pleasure and fluidity. Nice sharing!