Yoga Nidra for Light

Who's excited about the coming spring equinox? After a long, harsh winter that seems to keep returning, I am getting anxious for some sun, some heat and some time outside without a bunch of ridiculous layers! This week's classes focused on the light. Not so much the light outside that we will start to get more of starting on Monday, but the light within that is always shining even when the darkness descends outside us. This is the centre of Manipura, as it is known in Sanskrit, or the solar plexus chakra. This energy centre is our inner power, our personal drive and our motivation. It is a very active and dynamic centre and is represented by the element of fire. The yoga nidra this week focuses on helping us gain access to and recognize this spark of light that is within all of us.

Slow Burn

Moving from earth to water to fire. All of my classes this week will be focused on the element of fire and the third chakra. Physically, the area of the body associated with this chakra and element is the core. Manipura, or the solar plexus chakra, is very much about passion, determination and personal power.  Manipura loosely translates as “city of jewels,” and it is where our self-confidence, will power and clarity reside. It is the core where we build up our heat and where our strength, both physical and mental, radiate out from. There’s sometimes this misconception with the element of fire that in order to build heat and strength, we need to be continually moving at a quick, intense pace. Though this type of momentum does serve a purpose in some situations, it is ultimately unsustainable. True power often resides in going slowly, becoming focused and attaining true clarity. Even as we slow down, we still build heat and strength, and in fact often slowing down can be more intense and challenging both physically and mentally. So, focus this week will be on activating the core of the body, but also on slowing EVERYTHING down to build and maintain that heat, fire, light and personal power within the body and mind. Join me this week to help fan your flames and/or use the following techniques to build up your fire and shine your light.         

The Fire of Forward Momentum

I always find it interesting when doing these chakra journeys how much my life at the time seems to parallel the chakra that we’re working on.  This week we move to the third/solar plexus chakra or Manipura in Sanskrit.  The element for Manipura is fire, so it is a very dynamic centre.  It is about forward momentum and doing the things you need to do and taking the steps you need to take in order to get to where you want to go.  The element for this chakra is fire.  This month, but particularly this week for me has been about constant movement, one thing after the other . . . . go, go, go!!  I love what I do, and I enjoy being busy, but I am finding that I am starting to feel a bit off balance.

Fanning the Flames

This week we’re bringing our attention to the third chakra which is also referred to as the solar plexus chakra or Manipura (lustrous  gem).  Manipura is that shiny core of our being where our true power resides.  It’s about having the courage to trust our gut and follow our own instincts because we know that this internal knowing is more valuable than any external validation we may receive. This chakra addresses self-perception issues such as personal power, inner drive or willpower.  It is associated with the energetic, dynamic, transformative element of fire.  So, manipura is about finding that spark of passion within us that makes us want to move forward and do what we need to do to reach our goals or dreams.  When the 3^rd chakra is out of balance, we may have poor self-esteem, be overly critical of others, be overly nervous, or we could be dominating, aggressive and extremely competitive

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?

Let's Do This

 The third chakra or Manipura, is where our ego identity is developed.  If we are strong in this energy center, most likely we have a clear vision or purpose for our lives.  We’ve traveled through the root chakra developing our foundation and support system, been through the emotional turmoil of the sacral chakra to identify our likes, what feels good and starting to see who we are, so now it is time for us to express out to the world this uniqueness that we are starting to discover. 

Light Your Fire

Continuing the journey along our spine, we come to the third chakra.  This energy center is located around the solar plexus area, which is above our stomach and just below our chest.  Also known as the solar plexus chakra, the Sanskrit name for this third chakra is Manipura, which means "lustrous gem"  It is focused largely on the self, and its many aspects (self-esteem, self-worth, self-perception, ego, etc.).   It is where we come to recognize our true power and direct our activities, using this power, towards a higher purpose.