SACRAL CHAKRA

DESCRIPTION

In Sanskrit, the Sacral Chakra is known as Svadhishthana, which means "Sweetness". It is ones' own base.

Mantra: Vam. I feel...

Color: Orange

Location: Just below the belly button.

Function: Sexual and creative energy. To enjoy life's pleasures without overindulging. Self-identity as a human and to enjoy your human experience.

Balanced: A balanced Sacral Chakra has healthy dreams and desires. Very creative in a healthy way. Is not afraid of and can accept change. Sensitive, intuitive, and idealistic. A balanced Sacral Chakra can blossom as a person.

Overactive: An overactive Sacral Chakra has severe mood swings, anxiety, mania, and overwhelm. Overly obsessive and dependent on others. An overactive Sacral Chakra thrives on conflict and drama and can be rather arrogant.

Blocked: A blocked Sacral Chakra is too emotionally attached and co-dependant. Either sexually addicted or the opposite with no sex drive. A blocked Sacral Chakra is not creative, distant, and tends to overreact.

Anatomy: Reproductive organs, hips, kidneys, pelvis, and lower back.

Element: Water.

Oils/Scents: Cardamom, Orange, Patchouli, Rose, Sage, Sandalwood, and ylang ylang.

Herbs: Herbal teas. Turmeric.

Associated Deadly Sin: Lust.

Foods/Drinks: Sweet fruits, Coconut, and water vegetables (such as lettuce, celery, bok choy, watercress, etc. You can look us a list of water vegetables online.) Orange foods such as carrots, pumpkins, squash, oranges, or mangos.

TODAYS' MEDITATION:

I prefer to meditate as soon as I wake up. First, drink a nice glass of water and blow your nose. Then sit in the Sukhasana pose, which is Indian style making sure your spine is straight (Head over heart, heart over hips). We are now going to do Nadi Sodhana (opposite nostrils breathing). Take your thumb and plug your left nostril, breathe in, switch your pinky to cover your right nostril while releasing your thumb from your left nostril, breathe out, and repeat for a total of four rounds.

Next, we go to YouTube and put on our favorite guided Sacral Chakra meditation. My personal favorite is called Chants for Sacral Chakra Healing by Meditative Mind. If you can find it they have one for each of the seven Chakras, find all seven and save them.

TODAYS' YOGA POSES:

The very first thing I recommend is talking to your doctor to be sure that you are healthy enough for this or for any exercise regimen before you start.

The second step is to look up the exact correct ways to do each pose. I recommend a site called Yoga Journal.

Each week I will pick three poses per Chakra. Try to hold each pose as long as you can and do not forget to breathe. For today

1. Paschimottanasana

2. Utkata Konasana

3. Viparita Virabhadrasana

If you want to do an entire yoga sequence I recommend YouTubing "Yoga with Adrienne". She is amazing.

RECIPES

THREE SHEETS SANGRIA

granny smith apples

oranges

lemons

champagne

brandy (5 parts)

triple sec (3 parts)

gin (1 part)

vermouth (1/2 part)

orange soda

grapefruit soda

Combine alcohol except champagne. Chop and add fruit. Add soda. Top off with champagne.

PUMPKIN AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

2 Tbls coconut oil

4 small yellow onions peeled and chopped

4-6 cloves of peeled garlic (leave cloves whole)

4 inches of ginger root peeled and sliced

1 red chile sliced

2 stalks of chopped celery heart (including leaves)

4 1/2 lbs of pumpkin cut into chunks

1 1/2 lbs peeled chopped sweet potato

4 cups vegetable stock

Saute onions in coconut oil for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, chile, celery, and ginger and saute for 5 more minutes. Add pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and vegetable broth increasing the heat to bring to a nice simmer. Cover and cook until pumpkin and sweet potatoes are tender. Blend in blender until smooth. Serve in bowls, and top with pumpkin seeds.

EASY ORANGE FUDGE

2 C sugar

3/4 C butter (not margerine)

3/4 C marshmallow fluff

2 tsp orange extract

3/4 C heavy cream

pinch of salt

approx 2 C white chocolate chips

orange food coloring

Melt together butter, sugar, marshmallow fluff, white chocolate chips, and heavy cream. Divide in half. Pour one part into the baking dish. Add orange extract and a few drops of orange food coloring to the second half. Pour on top of the first half. Set it in the refrigerator. Cut into blocks.

ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL

 Place the peel of a large orange on the window sill and allow it to dry for about a week. Chop them up into little pieces. Fill a jelly-sized canning jar with vodka and add the dried orange peels. Allow to sit for about two weeks. Squeeze the excess oil from the peels. Strain the vodka. Leave in a jar for 24-48 hours uncovered to evaporate the alcohol. Do not evaporate all alcohol or the oil could mold.