I recently had a human design reading with a woman whose Sun sign was gate 53 in the Cross of Prevention 2. As I prepared for the reading, I thoroughly enjoyed doing a deep dive into the health and physiology of this prominent energy in her chart.
About Gate 53
Name: The Gate of Beginnings
Center: Root
Circuitry: Collective Sensing
Gate Physiology: Urogenital Diaphragm
Root Physiology: Adrenal System
Amino Acid: Serine
Gene Key Shadow: Immaturity
Gene Keys Gift: Expansion
Gene Keys Siddhi: Superabundance
Archetype: the Initiator
Gate 53's Inherent Energetic Traits
Gate 53 is an energy of new beginnings. This gift naturally sparks change and new beginnings in yourself and others. When you follow your strategy and authority every time you begin anew, you are a very effective launch pad and starter! This initiator energy loves starting new experiences and governs the cycles of our life. It is especially powerful when it connects with gate 42 to form the Channel of Maturation, which is all about cycles of life with a beginning, middle, and end.
Gate 53 is a very important gate in the body graph because it's the initial format gate in the sensing circuitry, and it's associated with Dietary Fat and Fiber.
Feel free to read all about nutrition with channel 53-42 here.
Gate 53 loves the feeling of expansion and creating prosperity. Over time and maturity, someone with this gate will hopefully recognize that the gift of expansion can only happen through the heart, and without attachment to money or 3D power structures. Expansion refers to awareness, love, and creativity coming together and trusting life.
The Low Expression of Gate 53
The low expression happens when you begin something from the mind or without following your strategy and authority. This energy always feels ready to say YES to a new experience; however, it's not always correct for you to do so. Restlessness can happen from this Root energy. Can you slow down?
If you start something without properly following your strategy and authority, you can think of your initiation as shooting a bent arrow - no matter how well intentioned you are, the arrow will never shoot where you want it to go. Immaturity is the shadow that continues to load and shoot bent arrows. Slowing down creates more awareness, reducing immaturity, and fosters more expansion, which is the gift.
The low expression can also appear if you feel like you need to finish everything you start instead of passing the torch. Also, if you have attachment to or expectations around the things you begin, this can also lead you to the lower expression of this energy.
The Root pressure can be intense, so is there fear of how big you are and fear of expansion? If I wasn’t afraid of anything, what would I expand into? Since this gift is about expansion, look at if you outgrew a part of your life (ie: relationship, job, house). What abundance are you ready to invite in? What are the things can you leave behind?
Urogenital Diaphragm and Gate 53 in Human Design
Gate 53's physiological connection in the body is the urogenital diaphragm, which is an important part of the pelvic floor.
The energy of gate 53 comes from the Root center, which is about physical pressure & fuel, vitality, joy, adrenaline, and drive. The adrenalized Root energy is very powerful, so I could see how excess straining and pushing, such as during childbirth or if constipated, could negatively impact the urogenital diaphragm region of the body.
Strengthening and maintaining the health of the muscles and connective tissues in the pelvic floor, including those of the urogenital diaphragm, is important for overall pelvic health and well-being.
Causes of Pelvic Floor/Urogenital Diaphragm Dysfunction
Dysfunction of the pelvic floor, including the urogenital diaphragm, can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase the risk. Here are three common causes:
Pregnancy and Childbirth.
There's a tremendous amount of physical weight and pressure placed on the pelvic floor in the third trimester as the baby grows.
Anyone who has had a vaginal birth knows the amount of strain and pressure involved in labor and childbirth. The amount of energetic force and physical energy required to push is extraordinary! I can see how the pelvic floor is at high risk of dysfunction. It happened to me! Luckily with good nutrition and Kegel exercises postpartum, it resolved on its own.
Throughout pregnancy and post-partum, healthy dietary fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, have anti-inflammatory properties and may contribute to reducing inflammation in the pelvic region postpartum. Eating healthy fats post-partum is also crucial for the newborn baby's brain and eye development.
Obesity.
Excess body weight can place added strain on the pelvic floor, increasing the risk of dysfunction. Obesity can have many root causes, and one of them is unbalanced nutrition and blood sugar dysregulation.
Gate 53 is associated with dietary fats and fiber, both which stabilize your blood sugar levels. Incorporate healthy fats, like fish, avocado, sunflower seeds, nuts and nut butters, or healthy oils such as cold-pressed flaxseed oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, ghee, and coconut oil. This can really help add satiety, so you don't have the urge to eat or snack as often, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Chronic Straining (ie: Constipation, Heavy Weightlifting, or Chronic Coughing).
Frequent straining during bowel movements because of chronic constipation can weaken the pelvic floor muscles over time. One primary cause of constipation is a lack of dietary fiber, and gate 53 is associated with dietary fiber. Eat yo fiber :) Aim for at least 3 cups of vegetables per day! And drink a lot of water too.
I know you might love your strength class, but heavy weight lifting puts a lot of strain on the pelvic floor muscles. Before starting a lift, such as squats, be sure to really focus on and tighten up the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, and Root chakra region before and during your repetitions so you don't strain the urogenital diaphragm tissues.
I have found yoga to be very helpful for helping tighten up the pelvic floor region.
Tips to Support Gate 53 and the Urogenital Diaphragm
It's helpful to know how to support gate 53's nutrition needs as part of a deeper understanding of your human design. Here are tips to support the Urogenital Diaphragm and pelvic floor in general.
#1: Stay Hydrated!
Drinking enough water is essential for bladder function, and preventing urinary tract infections and constipation.
#2: Consume a lot of Fiber.
Consuming a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts, and legumes can help maintain regular bowel movements. This can reduce the risk of straining during bowel movements, which can strain the pelvic floor. Aim for at least 3 cups of vegetables every day.
#3: Include Enough Healthy Fats
Include more omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA), which are found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. They have anti-inflammatory properties and may contribute to reducing inflammation in the pelvic region. Here's why I take omega-3 fish oil every morning, and what my favorite brand is.
#4: Kegel Exercises
Kegels exercises specifically target and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, including those within the Urogenital diaphragm. These exercises help improve muscle tone to provide support to the pelvic organs, and ideally prevent issues like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Kegel exercises are an essential component of maintaining the integrity and function of the Urogenital Diaphragm and the pelvic floor as a whole.
#5: Yoga
Many yoga poses require the engagement of the core muscles, including the pelvic floor. Certain poses, like Chair Pose, can help activate and strengthen these muscles. In addition, yoga emphasizes mindful breathing techniques. Practicing deep diaphragmatic breathing in yoga can indirectly support pelvic floor health by encouraging relaxation and awareness of the muscles.
Follow Your Determination Diet Type
In addition to those three nutrition tips, also consider following your Primary Health System (PHS) Determination Diet type. This is a way of eating that supports your well-being.
For example, if your Determination is Alternating, this means your body digests food and information best when you eat one item completely before moving to the next food item in your meal. Try slowing down while you eat in order to have a singular and clear mental awareness of what you're eating. Experiment with having lighter, smaller meals instead of big meals.
Questions for Inquiry
Do you have gate 53? Have you had any pelvic floor or urogenital diaphragm health troubles? Is your Root defined or undefined?
I would love to hear from you.
Much love,
Kelly
Human Design Appointments
Moving from where you are now to where you want to be requires long-term dedication to learning and experimenting with your human design. I've learned so much through the process of researching, observing myself and others, experimenting, and repeating that cycle over and over.
I believe growth requires more than one appointment, which is why I offer an initial appointment (90 minutes) with a follow-up appointment (60 minutes).