Yoga Glossary · Chakras
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
The second chakra, at the sacrum and pelvis — fluidity, creativity, feeling. Element: water.
Svadhisthana, often translated as 'one's own base' or 'sweetness', sits at the sacrum and lower belly, a few fingers below the navel. Its element is water, its color orange, and its seed sound Vam. It is associated with the hips and pelvis as an emotional and creative center — fluidity, pleasure, and the ability to feel and move with feeling.
On the mat, sacral work is hip work: lunges that open the front of the pelvis, Pigeon and other deep hip openers, and flowing, wave-like transitions rather than rigid holds. Teachers often pair it with breath that moves like water — continuous, unforced, without hard stops.
In practice
- Hip openers are the classic sacral practice — expect them to feel emotional as well as physical; both are normal.
- Traditional seed sound: Vam. Color: orange. Element: water.
- Let transitions flow between poses instead of resetting each time — fluidity is the theme.
Poses linked to this chakra
- Warrior II
- Crescent Lunge
- Runner's Lunge
- Standing Forward Fold
- Ragdoll
- Wide-Leg Forward Fold
- Seated Forward Fold
- Half Pigeon
- Reclined Bound Angle
- Happy Baby
Related terms
Test yourself
Pose IQ's Chakras rounds quiz this term and its neighbours — ten questions, explanations after every answer.
The Yoga Glossary is an educational study reference. Definitions are standard yoga and anatomy knowledge in plain language; nothing here is medical advice.