Solar Plexus Toolbox

Solar Plexus Toolbox

Yoga Asanas

Sometimes it is all about the basics. Take a moment, and before you begin, try to bring your attention to your solar plexus chakra in the naval area. Then, focus on your breath to make your wheel spin open and activate.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). For this pose, begin by laying on the floor face downward. Next, extend your legs behind you, keeping your feet zipped up together as if they are one. With your legs active and knees tight, point your toes backward. Rest your palms on the ground near your chest. Elbows are bent and close to the body. Inhale, press your palms into the floor and lift the chest up off the ground. The pelvis should remain on the floor, with your weight on the legs and palms. The gaze is straight ahead. Contract your moola bandha (buttocks), holding this pose for about 20 seconds. Exhale, slowly lowering the body back to the ground. I enjoy placing an ear on the floor and gently stretching out my neck, then repeating the asana for another 20 seconds, releasing my body back to the ground, and stretching my neck again by placing the alternate ear on my mat. This asana rejuvenates the spine and is recommended for people with stiff backs. The lungs also gain elasticity allowing the blood to circulate properly. 

 

Navasana (Boat Pose) for this pose, begin by sitting on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Then, focusing on your breath, slightly recline your upper body backward while simultaneously lifting your legs off the ground while bringing your arms forward, parallel with the earth. Shoulders and palms should be in line with each other. The weight of your body should be entirely on your buttocks. No weight should be on your spine at all. It is helpful to roll your shoulders back and down, opening your heart space while trying to keep your spine straight. When first beginning this pose, sometimes it is easy to lift the legs while keeping the knees bent, so the lower leg is also parallel with the earth. There are many variations, and it is best to find what works best for you to gain balance. Helpful tip, lift the abdomen up into the chest, keeping the abs engaged before lifting and leaning back into the pose. Breathe normally while holding this asana for approximately 30 seconds, releasing the legs and arms to the ground, resting in Shavasana, 

 

Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle) If you are familiar with triangle pose, then you are probably aware of the twisting variation, revolved triangle. Starting in Tadasana, Mountain Pose, take a deep inhalation with a jump spreading the legs apart about 3-3.5 feet. Next, raise your arms in line with the shoulders, palms facing down. Next, turn your feet sideways to the right, moving the right foot 90 degrees and the left root 60 degrees keeping your knees locked straight. Next, Exhale, rotating the upper body along with the left leg (to the right), bringing the left palm to the floor near the outer side of the right foot. Next, stretch your right arm up, keeping it in line with the left arm while looking up over your right fingertips while focusing on your breath. Finally, check the alignment of your body. Your knees are straight, and your weight should be resting on the outer sides of your feet. Both shoulders and shoulder blades are stretching. Hand out here for at least 30 seconds rotating the body back into the starting position, moving the feet in the other direction, and repeating the same asana on the other side to obtain balance. It would be best if you breathed in this asana regularly as it will massage your internal organs with the twisting motion.

Pranayama

One of the most powerful breathwork you can do to activate your lower chakras and ignite your inner flame is practicing Breath of Fire or Bellow Breaths. The solar plexus is associated with the element of fire, hence our inner flame. However, this practice can take a few minutes to get used to because, unlike most breathwork techniques, you only focus on your exhalation. 

When beginning this practice, you can breathe in through the mouth or nose, but the end goal is to be able to do this practice breathing in and out through your nose only. You can also do this practice by sitting up or lying down. I enjoy the lying-down option. It is a great way to learn the routine before adding more gravity. You can breathe slow or fast to get the hang of things, keeping in mind that rapid, vigorous, forceful breaths out are the primary goal. It can be helpful to place your hand on your belly as you begin to feel the body motions.

How to do it: Begin by finding your comfortable position. Closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, slowing everything down, find your grounding and stability below you. Allow your breath to fill your belly, putting all your attention on your exhalation. Use your abdomen to force the air out of your lungs by pulling your stomach inward, pushing the air out of your nostrils forcefully. Relax the abdomen allowing your inhalation to have the same force. You should slightly exaggerate your movement in the core to keep breathing rhythmically. During the exhalation, the belly should move inward, and the diaphragm should move upward. I always say to set a timer for this practice. Shoot for an hour, and celebrate a minute on consistent rhymic breathing.

Crystals

Add some shiny friends to your collection, helping you connect to your inner light. There are many different crystals that you could use to activate and open your solar plexus chakra. Although I usually gravitate towards yellow, citrine is one of my favorites and can be found in many shades. Tigers Eye and Labradorite are another two favorites that I am called towards. Both seem to dance in the sunlight charging and sparkling, showing different deeper parts not always visible in the dark. Very similar to how the Solar Plexus works by showing the world who we truly are at our core.

Labradorite is associated with the solar plexus chakra. It symbolizes fantasy and creativity. The stones' sparkle is reminiscent of fireworks and can improve your intuition and clarify your views and objectives. It has a calming, harmonizing effect, making it an excellent stone for irascible people. It can heighten your ability to focus on personal issues without letting outside influences affect you and encourage you to embrace new ideas and opportunities. It has an increased ability to shift awareness outside the normal range.

Citrine is associated with the solar plexus chakra and is an excellent stone for self-healing. It symbolizes individuality, confidence, and personal power. It is a great tool to use when trying to rejuvenate your energy. The energies of this crystal can boost your drive and inspiration. It can bring about renewed determination and is known as the stone of light, sun, and life. It stimulates "sunny" energy enhancing your mental energy and bringing balance to mind with optimism.

Tiger Eye is associated with the sacral and solar plexus chakras. It symbolizes unity and leads to greater self-integration and autonomy. It is effective in lifting depression and promotes concentration helping to unite someone's will and desires. It brings ideas into reality and diverts unwanted energy. It can soothe both the physical and mental body. It can also encourage contact with other people. As a result, integrity, willpower, practicality, and correct use of power are enhanced.

Essential Oils

Tap into your inner light to find your inner happiness, allowing it to shine bright. This blend is lovely for activating, opening, clearing, and balancing your Solar Plexus Chakra. Apply it to your lava bead diffusers and walk around all day with intention by using this blend. Add a few drops to your self-care ritual bath and energize your being. 

Mantras

Helpful mantras and affirmations we can use to activate the Solar Plexus are "I feel" and "RAM." Ram is the seed sound that will help spin this chakra. Focusing on your breath, take a nice deep inhale and slowly exhale into R-A-M. We can carry each note frequency for as long as we can. Utilizing the seed sound mantras for each chakra can also help you navigate where you should focus your healing. If you feel any sense of restriction, I suggest focusing on the colors associated with each chakra. This will add an extra element to your healing and intention mindfulness. Remember that anything following the words "I feel" are compelling towards healing and bringing emotions and feelings into awareness. It is like we are shining a spotlight on parts of us that we may not like or understand. The fire element of the Solar Plexus makes these feelings shine so that we can see and know how we should heal through and accept them.

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