“You are magnificent beyond measure,
perfect in your imperfections,
and wonderfully made.”
- Abiola Abrams
I don’t know about you, but right now it feels like everything is up for evaluation. How I school my children, if I can or should hang out with my friends, how I continue to do my part in the progress toward social justice, if I really need to wear a bra, whether or not I will ever “do” my hair again… Everything.
There’s a lot going on in the world today. On a grand level, we can see the cycle. We can grasp that, just possibly, all the things that seem to be breaking down in society right now have to happen before we can build to something better. Things rarely transform without undergoing some level of decomposition first, but the decomposing part can be a little (or a lot) uncomfortable.
Big picture aside, watching our known and practiced structures and routines fall apart is a lot to digest. Just like we have to digest the food we consume, we have to breakdown and process the emotions and energetic influences that come our way.
Being energetically overwhelmed is a lot like overeating. Too much food in one sitting leaves us feeling sluggish and heavy as our body does its best to process the overload of food.
This is similar to when we get energetically overwhelmed. Our solar plexus chakra is the energy center that facilitates our energetic digestion. It also happens to share the same space as our stomach. Not surprisingly, blocks in this chakra can influence problems with physical digestion and vice versa.
The solar plexus chakra represents our personal power; our individual right to have an exchange of energy with the outer world, be it through food or otherwise. It is where we filter what comes in from the outer world, choosing to assimilate or eliminate. Our bodies do a good job of pulling the nutrients we need out of food to nourish the body before purposefully releasing the rest. Energetically, we must do the same.
The element associated with the solar plexus chakra is fire. Imagine this place within you as a little fire burning brightly in your upper belly. Notice what happens when you are overwhelmed with energetic influences. If you are in a place of action-based response and reaction, giving too much of yourself, you may feel your fire burning so hot it is burning out. On the other hand, you may feel overloaded with energetic intake and feel your fire dampened and fighting for fuel to stay alive.
Not surprisingly, the same tips I use to help somebody with an overloaded digestive system are easily translated to the energy layer.
Move your body. Just like taking a long walk after a big meal can assist in increasing digestion, shifting the environment and moving the body can facilitate a release of stored emotional energy.
Return to a healthy and balanced rhythm of eating to get your body back on track quickly. You can remind your energetic body of this rhythm by practicing Sama Vritti Pranyama (equal fluctuation breathwork). Simply sit comfortably and slowly breathe in to a count of 5, then breathe out for an equal count of 5 (you can adjust to a higher or lower count, as needed). This form of breathing helps to modulate the nervous system and can be an immediate tool to use. (Watch for an IG video on this later this week!)
Fast. An occasional fasting period from food can be a nice reprieve for the digestive system. Similarly, consider taking a break from the things that energetically weigh you down. This can be as simple as taking a break from the news or social media.
Add some gas to the fire! Sluggish digestion can be helped with a little acidic assistance, such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. When the energy field is overloaded, it can be helpful to watch a sad movie or something else that allows for healthy emotional release. Having a good cry can help move the energy through you.
Properly nourish your body the majority of the time, so the digestive system is primed to better handle difficult situations. Do the same for your solar plexus chakra. Here are 5 things that nourish this energy center:
Sit in the sun to nourish this chakra’s element of fire.
Try something new to validate your ability to act in this world.
Eat yellow starchy foods, such as pineapple, yellow squash, and corn.
Do core exercises, such as plank, boat pose, and sit-ups.
Repeat the mantra, “I honor the power within me”.
For help with digestive blocks, physical or energetic, I'm here to help! Contact me to set up a time to chat to explore working together.
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