I understand that the term "sacral" has to do with the specific area of the spine (as in "sacrum" or "sacro-illiac").  However, I also find "sacral" to be very close to the word "sacred".  Chakra #2 has a specific sacredness around sexuality.  Sexuality is a term that has been so misused, misunderstood, and misdirected.  I have found that women, in particular, have blocked energy in the pelvis/hip area -- possibly from a traumatic experience, social/cultural conditioning, or just a lack of knowledge as to how to move/dance with Chakra #2. 

 When I want my students to open/balance the Sacral Chakra, many of the same movements from Chakra #1 can be utilized.  Along with "wagging the tail", Spinal Undulations and Spinal Rolls can increase the movement to stimulate Chakra #2.  Pelvic Circles and Hip Bumps, gentle Chest Isolations and/or Shimmy are also used to stimulate the Sacral Chakra.  All of Nia's 52 Moves are designed to increase one's awareness of the sensations in the body.  Any of the Moves can be done gently, honoring one's own relationship to the Body, trusting the creative energy that moves through the nervous system and spine.

I also use FreeDance (Principle #4 of the White Belt) to stimulate my students' creativity. FreeDance is utilized to break movement habits.  The choice of music can be wildly chaotic or deeply sensual or anywhere in between.

Creative impulses most often happen when we are fully present with whatever it is we are doing. In my own experience, "creative blocks" occur when I'm too much into my head. My mind is too busy judging, interfering, imprisoned by the past or in thoughts of the future.  When my movements are authentically in the moment, it's as if a portal opens and creative possibilities are abundantly present.  

The color associated with Chakra #2 is ORANGE.

The 52 Moves of Nia are great for juicing the joints, moving the muscles, stimulating the chakras, and so much more.  

Nia creates space for change...and for creative expression.  It is my Sacred Livelihood.

Come and dance with me!

One can develop a strong connection between the body and the earth by moving this Chakra; a connection that gives a sense of security and trust in life.

When I want my students to move the Root Chakra, I ask them to "wag their tails" -- side to side or move the pelvis in a very light and easy "figure 8".  The two Nia movements associated with the Pelvis are Pelvic Circles and Hip Bumps.

If my students have a problem with "balance" (i.e., standing firmly on one leg with the other leg lifted with the knee bent), my first invitation is for them to put both feet on the ground and sense their connection with Mother Earth.  Opening their stance can assist with grounding and having a sensation of security -- as if they are anchored.  Learning to balance requires a sensation of energy rising up from the earth, through the legs into the center of the body. The arms can extend to the sides to help with the act of balancing on one leg.  The ability to balance comes from grounded energy rising up through the body.

In Nia there are 5 Sensations:  Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength, and Stability.

In my experience, Stability is necessary before I am free to sense the ease of Flexibility, the excitement of Agility, the freedom of Mobility, and the power of Strength.  

When working with students on steps and stances, the invitation is always first to find their connection with their Base -- most times the Base is the feet (the hands that touch the earth) and legs.  In FloorPlay, the Base could become the back or front of the body -- whatever offers the sensation of Trust in that moment.  Find the connection to Earth and then move the energy up through the body.

The Root Chakra is associated with the color RED.

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."  -- Anais Nin

I lived for many years inside my own "tunnel vision," -- no room to move, yet it was hauntingly comfortable.  I haven't lived nor visited that place in quite awhile, but I know others who are still incapable of loving their bodies and loving their lives.  They are comfortable with their discomfort.  That is not a judgement, it is an observation.

In my Nia class the other day, one of the movements we did was to stand with our arms close in to the body, a closed stance and we "moved" within an imaginary tube.  It was so uncomfortable being so confined, so restricted.  At one point in the music, there is a definite change in tempo, so we broke out of our "tube" and made our movements big and moved around the room with largeness.  Ahhhhh...that was so fun...and so metaphorical.

I invite you to love your body and love your life.  The awesomeness that is encountered when the heaviness of our own self-image is lifted is just too powerful to miss.  So, today, take the risk to blossom.  Look into the mirror and see with the deepest clarity...and like the solar rays of light, beam your truth into the world.

You are magnificent!  You are beautiful!  

I watch, I watch, I wait and am still
Abiding the cycle that moves as it will. 

The beauties, the struggles that most do not see
The hidden and secret are open to me.

The new and the full and the dark of the moon
The shapes in the shadows
The brightness of noon
All have their place in the turning of time
Both coming and going have reason and rhyme.

The herbs of the field and the symbols of land
Bring healing and bless
As they come through my hand.

I welcome the fruits
I welcome new birth
As old wounds are healed in the joy of the earth.