HOW TO GET CLARITY ON PURPOSE

Do you feel sometimes like there MUST be more than life than this?!? Do you feel like you are lacking clarity on your purpose?

We’re over-complicating the question when we expect a simple answer. We can have a number of things of purpose or meaning in our life, but when we don’t pursue them, we suffer.

According to the New York Times, only 25% of people say that have a clear sense of purpose in their life. In my coaching over the last 3 years, I have found that 100% of my clients have struggled with clarity on purpose. People get tied up and confused by work or financial goals. In the middle of all that busyness, we lose sight of the things that are meaningful for us – the things that are on the other side of the work or financial goals. This requires real honesty – the kind we have when we lie in bed with our eyes closed in the middle of the night. There’s no judgement in this. We have to be 100% honest here. If we want more money or status, why do we want it? What will we do with it? That’s what we need to focus on and pursue, because otherwise, the risk is that the money or status because the goal and we forget the real purpose.

Benefits of Purpose

Many of us tend to push our own needs out of the way by saying things like ‘family comes first’. While family is important, except in extreme circumstances, we can’t just focus on them. To be fulfilled, we have to look after what is important to us as individuals too. There is a spin-off benefit of looking after ourselves – we end up doing a better job of being present, engaged and looking after our families too.

The benefits of Purpose are many and significant. Studies show that people with purpose are happier, more satisfied, less depressed and have stronger personal relationships (Steptoe and Fancourt, 2019), they live longer and wealthier lives (Applied Psychology, 2010) and they sleep better, and have lower disease rates (Time Magazine), they maintain their independence longer when they age (JAMA Psychiatry).

Having a Breakthrough On Purpose

My own breakthrough on purpose, meaning and authenticity came as the result of the incredible pressure created when my wife was on life support following her heart attack – that’s learning things the hard way. I had been too worried about living up to others’ expectations of me to find the courage to be authentic and honest with myself about what was really important AND to pursue it.

I had a realisation: my role was to help my kids now, and then my wife, get through this challenge. This was what I had been put on earth to do. This was the big thing I’d been building up to. A friend had often said, “You only get a few chances in life to do the right thing — don’t miss them when they come along.” This was going to be the biggest challenge I had ever faced. At the same time, it was also the easiest thing to face into. It wasn’t a decision. Things just had to be done. It took over everything else — all thought in my head. From the instant I woke up, until I was finally able to sleep, everything I did was geared around dealing with this.

The realisation that this was my mission, one of the most meaningful things I would do in my life, was quite calming. The panic subsided somewhat. The life and death stuff, as important as it was, moved to the background a bit. My thoughts turned to what I needed to do: help the boys and Tove through this, and then live as fulfilling a life as possible, regardless of what had happened.

The boys shouldn’t need to be defined by this. They should be able to pursue their hopes and dreams unhindered by this. They might even be able to come out of this better for it… hopefully. It was kind of like the old saying — you can’t choose the cards you’re dealt, you can only choose how you play them. I had to be brave enough, strong enough and caring enough for all of us.

What Is It All About?

One of my favourite books as a teenager was the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. One of the most memorable lines from the book was the profound statement that the answer to the question of ‘What is the meaning of life?’ is … ‘42’. The problem was that we didn’t know what the question was. While this is of course, absurd (and also very funny) it is also quite applicable today. The majority of the book was then spent trying to work out what the question was (apparently it would take 10,000 years for the most advanced computer in the universe to work it out).

We want simple answers to complex questions, but it’s not always that easy. We know that a lack of clarity on purpose leads to suffering. Therefore this unrealistic expectation of a simple answer is a setup for us to fail.

That applies to most of us. I’ve been working with a CEO client recently who was struggling with this – personally and for his business. He was certainly suffering. It was impacting his sleep, family, investors, board, team and results. Decisions were agony without this clarity. It got so bad that he was thinking of quitting. But he didn’t know what he would do next either, so he was really caught in a bind.

I took him through some structured exercises to help him both feel and see what was meaningful and why. There were many things that provided meaning, he’d just lost sight of them in all the business and stress. It took less than us less 4 weeks for him to get clarity on what was important.

Clarity On Purpose

When he had clarity on this, he transformed. He was sleeping better, exercising, and having fun. Things improved at home, as he was present with his family. He was making decisions, and the board and team both responded. Results improved and things were looking up.

The idea that there is one single purpose sounds great until we really dig into it. For most of us, there are a number of things that are meaningful, and they ebb and flow with our seasons of focus. That’s normal for most of us and relieves the pressure of choosing 1 big thing. Maybe we can have our cake and eat it?

We all want to make a difference. This isn’t about happiness. This is about fulfilment. If we don’t know where we’re going, we’ll sure never get there.

Whatever you do, do it with heart!

Original Post – Craig Hopper

Breathwork for Beginners

You take about 23,000 breaths every day. How many of them do you consciously think about?

Take a moment right now to notice your breath.

Is it deep or shallow? Are you breathing into your chest, belly or back? Did you instinctively breathe deeper the moment you brought your attention to it?

That is a clear example of the power of breathwork. As we move through the routine of daily life, most of us breathe into the chest with short, shallow breaths. What we don’t realize is that breathing from our chest signals to our body that we’re stressed. By spending time focusing on deep, long, full breaths, we can activate our parasympathetic nervous system and oxygenate the body, contributing to a more relaxed, peaceful way of moving through the world. 

What is pranayama?

In Sanskrit, pranayama is made up of “prana,” meaning life force, and “ayama,” meaning lengthen. Therefore, pranayama is not the practice of breath control, but the practice of controlling your prana, or life force, through the power of breath. 

It is said that the most important part of your physical yoga practice is not the poses, but the breath. The way you breathe in yoga matters. Since your inhales and exhales happen naturally, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about your breath. But bringing attention to the way you breathe in yoga and in your life is one of the best things you can do for your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

In yoga, breathwork - the practice of bringing attention to your breath - offers a chance to clear the mind, purify the body, and balance the flow of energy within. And the best part is: anyone can do it. All you need is time, intention, and guidance to feel the effects of this powerful practice on your life.

The Benefits of Yoga Breath Exercises 

In yoga, it is thought that the mind, body, and breath are connected. Think about what happens to your body when you’re stressed or anxious: your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, and you’ll start to take fast, short breaths. Just as your state of mind can influence your breath, your breath can influence your state of mind. Taking time to focus on your breath can calm your nervous system, improve your digestion, and aleve suffering in a variety of ways. 

Practicing breathwork has been scientifically proven to have an effect on the heart, brain, immune system, and digestive system.

Studies have shown that practicing yoga breath can:

• Effectively treat depression, stress, anxiety, and PTSD

• Improves mental focus and reduces brain fog

• Help with emotional regulation

• Lower cortisol levels in your body (your body’s main stress hormone)

• Lower and stabilize blood pressure

• Boost the immune system

• Help you get a good night’s sleep

• Increase oxygen levels in the body

• Improve core strength

• Manage poor digestion and improve symptoms of IBS

Does when I inhale and exhale really matter?

In short, yes. 

Breathing changes the shape of your body. When you inhale, your diaphragm and pelvic floor descends to make space for the expansion of your lungs. At the same time, your ribs and sternum lift up and out to allow the belly to expand. When you exhale, your diaphragm and pelvic floor ascend to expel air while your chest and ribs move inward.

Your yoga instructors tell you when to inhale and exhale based on what best facilitates different types of poses in your body. Experienced yoga teachers will intelligently sequence yoga breath with movement so that you inhale during poses that open the frontline of the body, and exhale during poses that compress the frontline of the body. 

Why do yoga instructors always remind the class to breathe?

While it can sound like a broken record, a yoga instructor who consistently brings attention to your breath understands the connection between asana (poses) and prana (breath). 

We all have a tendency to hold our breath in difficult moments. During a challenging yoga practice, you may naturally hold your breath, which will make it difficult to hold poses. Deep, intentional yoga breathing has a calming effect on the body. Focusing on the quality of your breath while you practice will also improve your focus, mental clarity, and mind-body connection.

When to breathe in yoga:

As a student of yoga, it can be difficult to know when you should inhale and when you should exhale. If you find that you’re constantly on a different breathing rhythm than your instructor’s cues, it may help to understand what poses correlate with breathing in and out. 

In general, you will inhale for:

• Backbends and heart openers

• Poses where you lift, like Mountain Pose and Crescent Lunge 

• Spine lengthening cues

• Transitions where you re-engage, extend, and prepare

In general, you will exhale for:

• Forward folds and surrender poses

• Spinal twists, like Revolved Crescent Lunge

• Side bends

• Transitions where you release, surrender, and softening
  

What is the yoga breath called?

While there are a variety of yoga breath exercises practiced in yoga, the term “yoga breath” usually refers to ujjayi pranayama, also known as the victorious breath or ocean breath. This is the type of breathing you’ve probably encountered in vinyasa classes, where it’s used to bring power and focus into the body.

Ujjayi pranayama is practiced by inhaling and exhaling through your nose while slightly constricting the back of your throat to produce a gentle sound like an ocean wave. When you breathe through your nose, your perceived exertion during exercise is lessened, making your workout feel less difficult. But studies have also shown ujjayi pranayama can increase oxygen consumption in the body by as much as 50%.

Next, we’ll explore Ujjayi pranayama as well as other yoga breath exercises you can do to clear your mind, feel present, and deepen your yoga practice.

Ujjayi Pranayama  - Victorious Breath in yoga

Sometimes called in yoga “ocean breath,” Ujjayi pranayama is a yoga breath exercise practiced throughout asana to bring power and focus into the body. Practice it by inhaling and exhaling through the nose while slightly contracting the back of your throat. The breath should sound like oceanic white noise. 

Yogic Breathwork Contraindications

You should not practice breathwork on your own if you:

• Are pregnant 

• Have a history of aneurysms

• Have uncontrolled hypertension, epilepsy, or seizures

• Have high blood pressure or cardiovascular problems

• Have vision problems or a panic disorder

• Take heavy medication

• Recently underwent surgery 

• Are healing from a recent physical injury

Heart Opening Yoga

Work from your heart, not your brain to create harmony” - BKS Iyengar

Backbends are often referred to as ‘heart opening’ poses and their many benefits are pretty clear. Physically – they stretch the hips, open the shoulders and chest, build strength in the legs, arms and back muscles and can even alleviate back and neck pain. Mentally and emotionally they invite courage and vulnerability, help us to face fears and remain calm in the face of difficult situations.

How many times in yoga class have you been told to open your heart, lift your heart, or draw your heart forward? This is a very common cue indicating students should drop their shoulders away from their ears, lift their chest, and bend through the thoracic spine. Including backbends in your practice encourages an even deeper physical opening of the chest and heart center. They also elongate the spine; release tension and stress from the neck, shoulders, and back; create space for the lungs and deeper breaths; and energize your practice, body, and mind. In addition to backbends, focusing on love and gratitude while practicing will open your emotional heart. Opening the heart teaches us to be humble, vulnerable, and lead with our hearts in both practice and life.

Explore the following yoga practices to open your heart, cultivate gratitude and bring more love into your life:

Set up your practice space

Use colors, stones, and essential oils related to the heart chakra in your yoga practice space and on your body. The heart chakra is located in the physical heart and governs love, kindness and compassion. It’s represented by the colors green and pink, the stones rose quartz and watermelon tourmaline, and essential oils of rose and jasmine.

Body Scan

Begin your yoga or meditation practice with a body scan. Sit in a comfortable seated position and check in with your posture. Is your chest collapsed or lifted? If your chest is collapsed, you are physically protecting your heart. Lift the chest and open the shoulders to bring the heart to the front. Then rest one or both hands on the heart. Leave them there for a few deep breaths. Note how this feels.

Breathe into the heart

Focus your breath work on your heart. Imagine you are breathing from the heart and into the heart. Feel the chest rise and fall with your breath. Again take note of any feelings that arise.

Mudras

A mudra is a gesture or seal that channels our life force. Incorporate mudras into your practice to energize the heart. To practice Anjali mudra, bring the palms together at the heart and press the thumbs into the sternum. Use Anjali mudra at the beginning of practice while seated and in Mountain pose (Tadasana). As you grow comfortable with the mudra, use it with different poses throughout your practice.

Mantras

Use a mantra during your practice. The mantra for the heart chakra is “yam” pronounced similar to “young” or in English, “I love.” If using “I love,” think “I” as you inhale and “love” as you exhale.

Bring gratitude into your practice

Lasting, loving relationships are significantly influenced by expressions of gratitude. According to a study published in 2014, gratitude is what holds two people together. The study reported that after expressions of gratitude, participants reported feeling more loving. Gratitude also increases feelings of happiness and well-being. Practice gratitude on the mat to get comfortable expressing thanks to your loved ones. Think of three things you are grateful for at the start or end of your yoga practice.

Asana

When practicing heart opening backbends, it is important to maintain balance by using counterposes. After any deep back-bending yoga pose, neutralize the spine with a simple twist and then counter with a forward folding pose. Backbends energize and physically open, expand, and lift the heart. Forward folds give your heart a chance to recharge and rest. Begin with gentle backbends such as Dog Tilt pose (Svanasana), Cobra pose (Bhujangasana), or Bridge pose (Setu Bandhasana). For a deeper backbend try Camel pose (Ustrasana) or Upward Bow pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana). These backbends bring the heart above the head. This is a physical representation of following or leading with your heart. For more specific asana recommendations, try this heart-centered sequence.

Heart Meditation

Close your practice with a heart-centered meditation. This can be as simple as breathing into the heart and using the mantra “I love” as mentioned earlier. You may also incorporate a mudra here, such as Anjali mudra.

Take any or all of these recommendations and mix them into your daily practice. As you move from your mat and through your day, come back to your intention of love and gratitude.

The Winter Solstice: Return to light

Let’s unite in brilliant darkness and celebrate the return to light!

The meaning of Solstice

According to its Latin roots, the word Solstice means “sun standing still,” and for millennia the Winter Solstice has been celebrated around the world – acknowledging the shortest day of the year as a return to light. The Solar New Year marks the end of a cycle as the Earth begins her return to innocence – the rebirth that is Spring. 

A time for reflection

Pre-Christian Scandinavian Yule, Iranian Shab-e Yalda, the Roman Empire’s Sol Invictus celebration, the Pagan festival Saturnalia, ancient Egypt’s January 6th and Christianity’s Feast of the Epiphany all honored sun gods or winter’s arrival – eventually metamorphosing into Christmas, the return of the sun, or “son.” 

In all of the celebrations revering time, darkness and protection, there is also a simple yet profound observation of the stillness between the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. This is a time to reflect and assimilate all of the wisdom, thoughts and feelings that have been cultivated in the dark, and bring them into the light.

An astronomical event

The most ancient civilisations knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of the days and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted throughout the seasons. To follow the sun’s annual journey, mysterious monuments, including Stonehenge, in England, and Machu Piccu, in Peru, were built.

Today, with access to the vantage point of space, we know that the Solstice is an astronomical event caused by Earth’s twirling dance through the universe. 

Her elliptical orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, and when we’re closest to the sun (in early January) our world moves fastest. Right now we are moving faster than our average speed of about 18.5 miles per second (30 kilometers per second).

As Earth orbits tilted on her axis rather than upright, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres trade places in receiving the sun’s most direct light and warmth. Summer and winter are caused by the tilt of the Earth.

Astrological meanings

Winter begins as the Sun moves into the Saturn-ruled, tropical zodiac sign Capricorn. Saturn rules aspects of the Earth that feel predictable, steady and grounded in reality. It offers slowness, the wisdom that comes with time and clues about our life’s purpose.

In an elevated expression, Saturn sets clear boundaries and strong commitments. Its detrimental side may be judgmental or cold. Capricorn is known for its pragmatic ambition and discipline, but watch out for stoic pessimism.

This year, there is a great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter – a constellation that last occurred 400 years ago! This rare encounter, called The Christmas Star, lights our way into a new era.

Setting intentions

This cycle is a perfect time to realign with our goals and ideals in preparation for the year ahead.

By clarifying and setting intentions during this significant solar standstill, we receive the support of ambitious earth sign Capricorn’s persistent energy and Saturn’s responsibile maturity. Both remind us to dream big whilst keeping our grand visions rooted in reality.

Contemplating and refining intentions leads us to our path and illuminates our way along it – from the faded past, through the darkness of winter, toward the bright future.

A Winter Solstice ritual

Activate your intentions for the new year by turning inward and awakening your inner fire with this Solstice ritual:

Create a cozy meditation nest — dim lighting and candles, soft blankets and pillows, ambient music… Brew your favourite tea or cacao… Light some sage or incense, or put a few drops of earthy sandalwood in your diffuser… Gather paper and a pen… Settle in and…

• Connect to the energy of the Earth. With your eyes closed, visualize roots growing from the soles of your feet, your tailbone, or whichever parts of you are connected to the ground. Down to the center of the Earth around which you wind your roots and your awareness. You’re pulled a bit tighter into your seat. Breathe deeply and allow your body to relax and experience the sensation of being completely supported by the Earth upon which you sit.

• Reminisce about the past year, allowing memories to surface effortlessly. Write down all that arose which you’d like to bid farewell to or let go.

• Burn the paper, to symbolize those energies being transmuted into creative passion for your adventures to come.

• Visualize the year ahead, dreaming up everything you’d like to manifest. Write down all of your hopes for the coming year. Add, “this or something better,” as the Universe often has more magnificent plans than we could possibly imagine.

• Fold this paper and bury it, to represent the seeds of these intentions being planted in your future path. And then release, be patient, these seeds need time and space to sprout.

A Winter Solstice Prayer 

– by Edward Hayes

In the heart of every person on this Earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.

May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.

Ignite your fire

Synchronise your breath to strong, intuitive movement with this dynamic, core-powered yoga class to amplify your practice.

Sahasrara or Crown chakra

Sahasrara, the most common Sanskrit name for the Crown chakra, means ‘thousand-petaled.’

This energy centre controls our connection to spirit, and our sense of universal consciousness, wisdom, unity and self-knowledge. Association with the colour violet reflects the Crown chakra’s link to spirituality and enlightenment.

The Crown chakra stores energies amassed through kind thoughts and actions, faith, meditation and prayer. Here we are able to transcend the material world and commune with the divine. Sahasrara is aligned to seek an intimate relationship with the universe.

Key elements of the Crown chakra

• Sahasrara: Thousand petals

• Element: The element associated with Sahasrara chakra is thought.

• Physical Body: The crown chakra is located at the top of the head, or slightly above – like a crown, radiating upward. Its location means it is closely linked to the brain and the nervous system. Sahasrara is associated primarily with the pituitary gland, secondarily with the pineal and the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland work together to regulate the endocrine system (all of the body’s biological processes). Energetically, the seventh chakra has a connection with the first chakra – they are bookends of the chakra system.

• Emotional Body: Devotion, inspiration, prophetic thought, mystical connections and transcendental ideas come from the Crown chakra. Extraordinary dreams may be messages from your Crown chakra…

• Mental Body: When working with the Crown chakra, we divert our attention from ourselves to the world around us. Questions may arise like: How am I connected to the world? How can I gain clarity about my place in the world? How can I better serve the world?

Signs of imbalance

As we’ve learned in previous chakra articles (see below), stress in any layer of the body (physical, mental, emotional and energetic) can cause you to slow down, stagnate or completely go into overdrive. An imbalanced Sahasrara chakra may manifest as confusion, distraction, lack of focus, feeling disconnected from the body or world, or hyper spiritualization (too much meditation!).

Checklist for the Crown chakra

• Connect! The more people who connect with the power of this chakra, the greater the shift of our collective consciousness towards a holistic understanding of health, biodiversity and humanity as a whole.

• Discover the power within. Understanding that we are responsible for what we create – in turn learn to act, think and speak with love and wisdom – helps us to become happier, healthier and less reactive.

• Learn from obstacles and illusions. Seek meaning from physical and emotional obstacles but let them go once they’ve served their purpose or taught their lesson.

How to balance your Crown chakra

Balancing the Crown chakra may help you feel more ease. Mentally, the ability to situate yourself in the world around you brings relaxation and clear-headedness. Increased synergy between the physical and mental allows a deeper connection with the spiritual realm. There are things you can do on and off the mat to strike an equilibrium.

Yoga poses for Sahasrara chakra.

Balance this energy centre with these targeted yoga poses:

• Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)

• Plough (Halasana)

• Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana)

• Lotus (Padmasana)

• Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)

• Reclining Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Chantra mantras or sound vibrations

Om is the Kundalini bija mantra. Chanting OM (pronounced AUM), works on the vibrational frequency of the Crown chakra. Use the breath – breathe in and as you breathe out vibrate the sound OM. This mantra is very powerful and signifies the essence of the ultimate reality.
Mudra for the seventh chakra: The Mudra of a Thousand Petals 

In a comfortable seated position, sit up tall. Touch the tips of your index fingers and thumbs together to form a pyramid shape. Allow the other fingers to extend upward, keeping them straight. Raise this mudra to about 6 inches above the top of your head.

Thought is the quality of the Crown chakra

Discover the infinite within, and know that it is one with all outside of your. Working with the top of the head through asana is a beautiful step to help clear the Crown chakra. When we work on the body, tightness and stagnation can come to the surface. If we can find the patience and the wisdom to sit with it and watch it without judgment, we can start to understand the deeper lessons, meanings and connections of everything that arises and then consciously let it go. As a result, we find freedom. Within the Crown Chakra, this means the freedom to deeply connect with all.

Meditation for Sahasrara chakra

Violet is the colour for this chakra. Try visualising it during your relaxation or meditation – perhaps as a glowing halo just above your head. With your eyes closed, imagine the radiance. Let it pulse with the breath, awareness rising up into a column of light, shining back down into you. Draw it in through your crown, to fill your entire body and the space surrounding you, rise back out through the crown, encasing yourself in a sparkling violet spotlight… As you meditate on your crown, visualizing your breath as a beautiful column of violet light – chant the sound OM to connect with all that exists inside and outside of you.

Exploring Your Solar Plexus Chakra

You may have come across the seven chakras;  maybe it was in yoga class, or during a meditation course. However, you might not know exactly what they are or how to work productively with your chakras. Chakras are energy centers in the subtle body that distribute the flow of prana or energy throughout your body. Starting at the base of the spine and working up to the crown of your head, these chakras influence your emotional and physical health.

Understanding the role and purpose of each chakra is a crucial first step in balancing your chakras and establishing a harmonious flow of energy. All of the seven chakras are interconnected; balancing one chakra will create change in the others. If you are lacking control in your life or struggling with self-confidence, turn your attention and become acquainted with your solar plexus chakra.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

Located in the upper abdomen two inches above the navel, the solar plexus chakra or manipura is the third of your seven chakras. The Sanskrit name translates to “shining gem,” a fitting name for this chakra. This chakra is the core of your personality and identity. When balanced, this chakra allows your authentic self to shine brightly.

The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel and extends up to the sternum. This forms your deepest connections with willpower, self-discipline, and self-esteem. The solar plexus chakra embodies your unlimited potential to transform thought or inertia into action.

The solar plexus chakra is the source of your personal power and confidence. This enables you to discover who you truly are and let your authenticity flourish. A balanced solar plexus chakra gives you the ability to overcome fear, master your thoughts, and make conscious choices.

The solar plexus chakra helps grow your confidence and vitality. This empowers you to follow your true path and create the life you want. When balanced, the solar plexus chakra allows you to seize your personal power, develop your authentic self, and take responsibility for your life.

Key Characteristics of the Solar Plexus Chakra

• Identity — As the core of your personality and identity, the solar plexus chakra allows you to bloom into your authentic self and discover who you truly are.

• Personal Power — The solar plexus chakra is the source of your personal power. This empowers you to take control of your thoughts, emotions, and actions.  

• Willpower — Working with your personal power, your solar plexus chakra gives you the willpower and self-discipline to get things done.

• Confidence — The solar plexus chakra is responsible for your self-esteem and how you view yourself. It also gives you the confidence to make decisions and feel self-assured.

• Intention & Action — Your solar plexus chakra gives you the power to transform your thought into action.

Solar Plexus Chakra Imbalance

The chakra system distributes the flow of prana or energy throughout your subtle body. Stress, illness, emotional upset, or conflict all can cause blockages or imbalances in your chakra system. All of the seven chakras are interconnected; when one chakra experiences a blockage or imbalance, it affects all the others. This disruption of energy can cause your mind, body, and spirit to suffer.

When the solar plexus chakra is imbalanced, it can bring a lack of control in your life as well as a loss of identity. Suppose you are working towards becoming a leader, improving your self-esteem, or trying to discover your authentic self. In that case, it is important that you open and balance your solar plexus chakra.

Underactive Solar Plexus Chakra

When a chakra is underactive, it means that it is experiencing a blockage or is not distributing the flow of energy, which can affect your overall well-being.

When your solar plexus chakra is underactive, you may be experiencing a sense of lack of control and purpose in life. When the solar plexus chakra becomes blocked, it often leads to emotional problems, ranging from feeling powerless to self-doubting.

How to recognize if your solar plexus chakra is underactive

• Lack of Confidence

• Low Self-Esteem

• Indecisive

• Helplessness

• Lack of Purpose

Overactive Solar Plexus Chakra

When a chakra is overactive, it means that it is distributing too much energy. It is working in overdrive and bringing imbalance to the chakra. When your solar chakra is overactive, it affects your overall well-being.

Too much of anything is never good for you. When your solar plexus chakra is overactive, you may be experiencing issues such as desiring control over others and judging too harshly. When the solar plexus chakra is overwhelmed with energy, it can overstimulate your system. You may feel especially critical and stubborn.

Signs of an overactive solar plexus chakra

• Desire for control

• Overly Critical

• Excessive Stubbornness

• Anger and Aggression

• Judgmental

How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra

Chakra balancing is the process of restoring the harmonious and balanced flow of prana or energy throughout the body. Your chakras are in constant fluctuation. Practicing chakra balancing and aligning is a regular and sometimes daily activity to explore. But how do you balance your solar plexus chakra?

There are many different ways to restore balance to your chakras. What works for you might not work for another. Make sure you find a way that works for you. Listen to your body and find the way that makes you comfortable.

Ways to Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra

• Try new things

• Spend time in the sun

• Yoga for Solar Plexus Chakra

• Meditation for Solar Plexus Chakra

• Solar Plexus affirmations

• Aromatherapy for Solar Plexus Chakra

• Solar Plexus crystals

New Experiences

The solar plexus chakra is responsible for helping you discover your authentic self and find your true purpose in life. Getting outside of your comfort zone and experiencing new hobbies, cultures, and ideas can help open and bring balance to your solar plexus chakra.

Get Outside 

The solar plexus chakra is highly influenced by the element of fire. Getting outside on sunny days can help open and restore balance to your third chakra. Taking a walk, meditating, or simply sunbathing can allow your solar plexus energy to flow.

Yoga for Solar Plexus Chakra 

 Physical activity can be stimulating for your solar plexus chakra; yoga can particularly helpful in bringing balance to your solar plexus chakra. Yoga positions that focus on core strength are ideal for the solar plexus chakra. Below are yoga positions and movements that will help connect you to the energy of the solar plexus chakra.

• Full Boat Pose | Paripurna Navasana

• Firefly Pose | Tittibhasana

• Bharadvaja’s Twist | Bharadvajasana I

• Sun Salutations | Surya Namaskar

• Bow Pose | Dhanurasana

Mediation for Solar Plexus Chakra 

Meditation plays an important role in restoring balance to your chakras. Chakra meditation techniques are similar to traditional meditation techniques but focus on a specific area of the body. Below is a simple meditation technique to help aid in balancing your solar plexus chakra.

1. Sit with your shoulders back and spine straight. Relax your muscles as you close your eyes and breathe deeply. Inhale through your nose and exhale through the mouth.

2. Focus your attention on the location of your solar plexus chakra: your abdomen, a few inches above the navel.

3. Since the solar plexus chakra is tied to the color yellow, imagine a yellow glow above your navel, slowly expanding to the bottom of your rib cage and making the whole area warm and relaxed. Rest in this sensation for 3-5 minutes.

4. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes. You may follow with positive affirmations.

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations 

Affirmations are a positive way to heal negative programming that can be embedded in your subtle body. When balancing your solar plexus chakra, practice saying these phrases to yourself:

• I love and accept my house

• I am authentic

• I feel my own powers

• I am free to choose in any situation

• I direct my own life

Aromatherapy for Solar Plexus Chakra 

Aromatherapy can be a powerful and simple tool for opening and balancing your solar plexus chakra. Use essential oils with balancing aromas that promote feelings of confidence, courage, and motivation. Our Solar Plexus Chakra Essential Oil Blend is designed to aid in balancing and opening your solar plexus chakra. Apply our Solar Plexus Chakra Blend to your abdomen, two inches above the navel.

Solar Plexus Crystals 

 Each chakra is influenced by unique stones and their energetic properties. The solar plexus chakra is highly influenced by tiger’s eye. When balancing your solar plexus chakra, meditate with tiger’s eye or carry the stone with you to let the energetic properties help restore balance to the chakra. Our Roll-On Solar Plexus Chakra Essential Oil Blend has a tiger’s eye rollerball to aid in balancing your solar plexus chakra.