I CAN

From earth to water we move to the element of fire.  We spent time in the second (sacral) chakra having experiences, letting our emotions flow and figuring out what it is we like and don’t like.  Now that we have a clearer picture of what it is we want, it’s time to go for it.  This is what the third (solar plexus) chakra is all about. 

Our solar plexus chakra is our “get up and go” center.  It’s about recognizing our passions and expressing these passions in our own unique way.  This third chakra is about getting things done –not allowing ourselves to procrastinate and make excuses anymore.  The fire element is about transformation – becoming either who we want to be, or who we know we can become – and moving forward.  So what are some ways we can feed and fuel this fire and start to move forward?

MIND

I CAN is the phrase associated with the solar plexus chakra.  I CAN _______________ will be our mantra for the week.  What is something you have wanted to do, but just haven’t gotten around to?  Maybe it is something that you have wanted for a long time, or maybe it is something that has more recently come up from a newfound passion.  So many things prevent us from doing the things we really want to do – fear, expectations, excuses, etc.  There are so many people that will readily tell us we can’t do something and give us reasons why we can’t.  Let’s feed our mind a different perspective.  Let’s instead focus on the fact that we CAN do what it is we want.  Really, why are we listening to other people anyways?  The only person who knows what we can truly do is us.  Let’s take back our thoughts and step back into our power.

To go along with this mantra, we’re going to allow ourselves to celebrate our achievements.  The danger with the solar plexus chakra is getting caught up in the need to constantly “do” something, and continually strive for something more without taking the time to relish in what we have accomplished.  Fire is a good tool for transformation until it burns out of control and becomes destructive which is where the phrase “burned out” most likely came from.  So, take some time to look at your life and celebrate all of those things that you have done.  All of these accomplishments at one time started out with the simple phrase 
I CAN ___________.

BODY

Foods that feed our solar plexus chakra include healthy fiber, carbohydrate rich foods such as whole grains, nuts, beans or green vegetables (these are the body’s main source of energy), and yellow foods (corn, yellow peppers, pineapples, bananas, etc.).  The following recipe is from “The Inner Peace Diet”  which I tweaked it a little bit just because of the things I had on hand at the time.  Give it a try : )

Corn Salsa

1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

1-2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes, chopped

3 green onions

1/3-1/2 cup peppers (I had a mix of yellow and red), chopped fine

1/2-1 jalapeño pepper, seeded & minced

1/4-1/2 cup cilantro
1/2 lime, squeezed for juice

optional - splash of hot sauce or sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Combine corn, tomatoes, green onions, peppers, jalapeño, cilantro & lime in a bowl.  Add any spices (hot sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, etc.) to taste.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving with chips, crackers, or sliced veggies.  Enjoy!

SPIRIT

One way to feed our spirit through the solar plexus chakra is by being out in the sun.  Now is the perfect time of year for that and it’s even better if you can find a nice spot in nature – by a river, along a beach, in a garden, etc.  Feel the warmth heating you up and allow that heat to penetrate to your core and help you realize 
I CAN ___________ (do whatever I want to do!!)

Enjoy the salsa, your time in the sun and your work with your mantra.  Have an amazing week of realizing what you want, igniting your fire and knowing that you are more powerful than you realized. 

See you on our mats,

Roxanne