Energy Centers: Solar Plexus Chakra

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:  Manipura
LOCATION: Slightly above the Navel
COLOR: Yellow
ELEMENT: Fire
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Personal Power, Self-worth/Self-Confidence, Self Esteem


CHAKRA DEVELOPMENT
The Solar Plexus Chakra is the energy connection to our emotional and mental body, it is our personal power center, the magnetic core of the personality and ego. It functions as the storage house for the judgments, opinions, and beliefs we have gathered about ourselves and the world. These judgments, in turn, affect our self-esteem and self-confidence. Perhaps this is why this center is seen as the source of cognition, the "knowingness" that tells us how to operate within the framework or school, society, and the world. This center develops during our adolescence and regulates an inner knowing and gut instincts about things and people. This center is also where we connect with others on a subtle energy level. We pull in energy though this center whenever we meet someone or are in a new situation. The Solar Plexus is a "psychic energy pump" for the physical and non-physical bodies. Emotional and psychic balance are located at this center and thought-forms are produced here. Many highly sensitive people and empaths struggle with stomach issues as well as holding onto extra weight in their mid-section due to holding onto others energies and subconsciously building up a layer of "protection".

This Chakra, which  manages the digestive process and organs, also influences the nervous system and immune process. Digestion is a reflection of the ability to digest and assimilate everything-including thoughts. Thus, this center determines the health of both body and mind. Fire is the element associated with the solar plexus chakra. And just as fire burns and generates energy, so the solar plexus fuels our metabolism.

ASSOCIATED BODY PARTS: Stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, muscles.

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS: Indigestion, acid stomach ulcers, hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, diabetes.

GLANDULAR CONNECTION: Pancreas

The Solar Plexus' emotions revolve around power. They reflect our relationship to inner strength and self-worth. These emotions help us take a stand for ourselves. If we are comfortable with our power, we will act confidently and exercise freedom of choice. If we are uncertain and doubtful about our right to our own power, we will evade situations that call for an affirmative response. While holding thoughts about power, confidence and freedom of choice, if we fail to value ourselves, our ideas about power may be inflated or deflated, depending on how we see ourselves in relation to others. When we know who we are, we cultivate power.  When we accept ourselves and know that we are worthy of love and respect we are able to stand in our power.


Issues related to the Solar Plexus Chakra
*Oversensitive; too open to others thoughts & feelings or negative psychic impressions
*A sense of vulnerability. Feelings of unease in solar plexus chakra area
*Lack of self worth
*Lack of personal boundaries
*Power issues
*Emotional neediness & conditional love
*Aggression, anger
*An overly active mental body

SIGNS OF AN UNDERACTIVE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:
Low self-esteem, lack of self-trust, weak will, poor digestion, victim mentality, unreliable, unable to take responsibility, attraction to stimulants.

SIGNS OF AN OVERACTIVE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:
Overly aggressive, need to be right, bossy, power hungry, competitive, attraction to sedatives, self-centered, narcissism, hyperactive.

WHEN BALANCED:
Responsible and reliable, healthy self-esteem, spontaneity, playfulness, sense of humor, able to make decisions and meet challenges, warmth in personality.

Each chakra also is interconnected with Intuitive of "Psychic" Gifts. In relation to the Solar Plexus Chakra we will experience Mental Sympathy. If the Chakra is balanced and in harmony we will be able to know what others are thinking or what they believe; determines belief-system causes of others' issues and provides clarification. If the Solar Plexus is imbalanced the tendency is to think others' beliefs or thoughts are one's own beliefs of thoughts.

WAYS TO HEAL THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:

*HEALTHY EATING- eat five to six small meals a day, each combining a healthy fat (such as olive oil or avocado), a low-glycemic carbohydrate and a protein. Because this chakra is associated with the pancreas, eat to keep your blood sugar and insulin in the normal range and avoid the current epidemic of diabetes. The pancreas is connected to all your digestive organs, so don’t overload them with toxins like alcohol, trans fats, artificial flavors and sweeteners, or pesticide foods.

*EXERCISES- any exercise that strengthens the core muscles, planks, boat pose

*RESPONSIBILITY- try to take responsibility for your life, and not blame others, circumstances, or the universe.

*MEDITATIONS-begin by visualizing a large golden globe that expands our from your belly. Allow this globe to fill your entire abdomen. See the golden light warming you and releasing tension in your stomach, gallbladder, liver and pancreas. This light reaches into the dark corners of your organs, aligning each recess with light. Breathe deeply into your body and feel the warmth of your own light take away the stress and pressures you have recently experienced. Know that you are worthy of the life you say you want. When you have expanded the form of the Solar Plexus chakra, visualize a cross of light within the circle of light. Whenever you feel too diffuse, spaced out or frightened, visualize this large golden globe in your solar plexus and seal it with a cross of light within a circle of light. It will give your protection, grounding and a sense of yourself at all times.

*GET OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE- do not be afraid to try new things. Experience of self develops from placing yourself in challenging situations.

*LEARN TO SET BOUNDARIES- be more assertive. Make decisions and stick to them.

*SPEND TIME OUTSIDE- since the Solar Plexus is associated with the Fire element, spending time out in the sun and in nature will help balance this center.

*SALT- taking a salt (epsom, sea, pink or just table) bath can help cleanse you of any thought patters or energies that you may have picked up in this center. If you do not have a bath tub (I don't) I just take a handful of salt and rub it in a circular motion the front and back of this chakra setting the intention that I am clearing it of anything that is not mine or for my highest and best good.

*REIKI OR SOUND THERAPY-energy therapy and vibrational therapy can assist with balancing and removing old energies that no longer support of serve your highest and best good.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel, Ginger, Grapefruit, Coriander, Juniper Berry
FOODS: Include yellow foods that provide enzymes for good digestion, like papayas and pineapples,  squash, beans, peppers, ginger and turmeric.
CRYSTALS: Topaz, Amber, Citrine, Yellow Calcite

AFFIRMATION: " I AM POWERFUL, CONFIDENT, AND SUCCESSFUL IN ALL OF MY VENTURES"

Energy Centers: Sacral Chakra

SACRAL CHAKRA: Svadhisthana

LOCATION: Slightly below the Navel

COLOR: Orange

ELEMENT: Water

PRIMARY FUNCTION: Well-being, Creativity, Sexuality and the Emotional Body

CHAKRA DEVELOPMENT

The Sacral Chakra embodies the totality of our physical health and emotional well-being. This also is the Partnership Chakra. Its location at the sexual organs reflects the instinctual need to develop a specific personality, but also to reach out to others. Our psyche seeks to express itself though the Sacral Chakra. The Root Chakra represents the ground of existence; the Sacral creativity. With the second chakra energy shifts from obeying tribal authority to discovering other relationships to satisfy personal, physical needs. It controls our emotions and assists with the development of subtle feelings, choices about which feelings to feel and which to repress. Our emotional body will be affected by the messages we receive regarding our right to have and express these feelings. The Emotional, or "Feeling" body is located in our Sacral Chakra. Pleasure is another quality of the Sacral Chakra. It concerns our ability to receive and allow more pleasure into our lives. 

The function of this chakra depends on how well we take care of ourselves and know our boundaries and limitations. Proper function ensures that we harness our life force so that we can be creative and spiritual. This chakra promotes regeneration by feeding vital energy into our systems. It stimulates hormonal flow. The illnesses that originate in this energy center are activated by the fear of losing control.

ASSOCIATED BODY PARTS: Sexual organs, bladder, uterus in women, prostate in men

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS: Dysfunction of the Sacral Chakra in women can create endometriosis, as well as sterility, chronic menstrual cramping, fibroids, and problems with ovaries and cervix. In men, it can create prostate problems, infertility, sexual dysfunction and sciatica.

GLANDULAR CONNECTION: Reproductive Glands

The Sacral Chakra has a less aggressive emotional response than the Root Chakra. This is the seat of pleasure and well-being and when we are not experiencing these emotions, frustration builds. When feelings emerge, they are often about what we desire or what we lack. This can be for love, sex, money and joy. Learning to be grateful for what we have releases much of the frustration or sense of loss held in this chakra. 

Our thoughts and feelings about certain beliefs can cause a distortion in the energy center, causing it to become either overactive or under active. Mentally this center harbors attitudes about:

*Finances

*Health

*Pleasure and Sexuality 

*Physical Body

Sexuality has more constraints around it than any other single issues besides money. How people feel about these subjects has a direct result on their personal energy. When we have harsh ideas about pleasure, we will suffer deprivation and eventually, disease. 

SIGNS OF AN UNDER ACTIVE SACRAL CHAKRA: 

Unemotional, guarded, self-derivation, sexual repression, poor social skills, denial of pleasure, self-sabotage, lack of desire or passion.

SIGNS OF AN OVERACTIVE SACRAL CHAKRA:

Excessive sex drive, compulsive behaviors, tension, frustration, overly emotional, hypersensitive, emotional dependency.

WHEN BALANCED:

Healthy creative expression, balanced hormones, ability to experience joy and pleasure, generous and giving, nurturing to self (self-care), healthy boundaries. 

PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF IMBALANCES:

Disorders of reproductive organs, fertility, urinary system, spleen, gallbladder, kidney, mental difficulties, sexual dysfunction, lack of flexibility, deadened senses.

Each chakra also is interconnected with Intuitive or "Psychic" Gifts. In relation to the Sacral Chakra we will experience Feeling Sympathy or the most commonly definition of an Empath. If the Chakra is balanced and in harmony we will be able to feel others' emotions and are able to clearly decipher them. If our Sacral Chakra is imbalanced the tendency is to absorb others' feelings and hold them in our own bodies. 

WAYS TO HEAL THE SACRAL CHAKRA:

*WATER- because this chakra is associated with the water element getting outside and relaxing near open water can help open your second chakra. Lakes, rivers, streams or the ocean are all useful. If possible, wade in or dangle your feet in the water to help the energy flow. Taking a bath or a shower can also contribute to balancing your chakra while providing the relaxation needed to keep your emotions flowing.

*RELEASE TENSION-give yourself space to express your feelings. What is unexpressed becomes suppressed deep in the energetic body creating a vibrational frequency. This frequency will then attract a situation that resonates with that frequency or more commonly known as the "law of attraction" Until you can release the emotion or tension, you will continue to attract these situation. Often people do not understand why certain situations keep happening to them over and over again. It are these suppressed feelings that are the root cause of these lessons.

*CUTTING CORDS & SEVERING DRAINING EMOTIONAL TIES- Consciously separate your energy from others by visualizing any cords that connect you, and using your intention ask all energies that are not yours to move out of your space and into the Light. Ask all energies that are yours that you have left with others or in other places to return so that you own all your power now.

*HEALING SHAME-letting go of shame or guilt around pleasure due to strict teachings or traumatic experiences can be very beneficial in healing the Sacral Chakra. Repressed sexuality or fear of pleasure can lead to imbalances, either shutting down or becoming overactive. Shame is a feeling deep within us of being exposed and unworthy. Shame can also come from parents disciplinary actions. We can proactively repair (and re-pair) the old shame memory with new experiences of self-empathy and self-compassion.

*MEDITATIONS-close your eyes and imagine a large orange pyramid lodged in your lower abdomen. The apex is pointing upwards towards the heart and the base rest on your hip bones. The four walls of this pyramid represent the qualities of well-being, deservings, pleasure, and abundance. Expand the form and intensify the color as your create a healing space for your Sacral Chakra to rest in. Release any tension through your breath and see the chakra becoming strong and resilient. 

*REIKI OR SOUND THERAPY-energy therapy and vibrational therapy can assist with balancing and removing old energies that no longer support of serve your highest and best good.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Black pepper, Cinnamon, Cypress, Tangerine, Orange, Sandalwood, Clove

FOODS: Oranges, melons, coconuts and other Sweet fruitts. Cinnamon and Tumeric are also useful, as is drinking plenty of water.

CRYSTALS: Carnelian, Citrine, Orange Calcite, Tigers Eye, Onyx

AFFIRMATION: "I AM AUTHENTICALLY CREATING A LIFE FREE OF STRESS AND FULL OF BLISS" 

Energy Centers: The Chakras

To understand yourself and energy, the chakras will be of central importance. There are seven major chakras associated with the human body, each one having a direct relationship to the part of the physical body it governs. The corresponding system on the physical body is called the endocrine system. Most people are concerned with the seven major chakras primarily, but we do have many more that lay within and outside our physical body. Each chakra is shaped like a funnel or whirlpool of energy. The seven main chakra vortices lie inside the body, along the spinal cord (which corresponds to a central energy channel) and up into the head.  Each of these seven major chakras, or primary energy centers, has its own character and corresponds to a unique aspect of our being- from the 1st chakra (physical vitality, or survival) to the 7th chakra (totality of beings, or spiritual perfection).

The chakras are energy processing centers, points of energy flow, and act as the major energy junctions in the energy field. The energetic operations within them are what make every aspect of our bodily, emotional, mental and spiritual life possible.  Every chakra is always receiving energy into itself, from all around, and it is this energy that supports the energy field and the entire life process of each individual. Aside from this entry of energy into the energy field through each of the seven major chakras, there is also an upward flow of energy in the central energy channel from the lower to higher chakras.  This upward flow of energy originates mostly from the earth and then moves through the 1st chakra, 2nd chakra, etc. as it ascends finally to the 7th (crown) chakra.  This energy is processed at each chakra, on its way up, in accordance with the unique nature of that chakra.  The lower chakras are simpler functioning, but as the energy ascends upwards there is a greater degree of sophisticated and more spiritual functioning.

A defect in the energy flow through any given chakra will result not only in a defect in the energy provided to certain portions of the physical body, near to and associated with that chakra, but will also affect emotions, mind and spirit in certain specific ways associated with the nature and character of that particle chakra. Defects will also often affect many other parts of the energy field. This is because the energy field is a holistic entity: every part affects ever other part.

We develop each chakra for a period of seven years, before moving onto the next one. This begins at birth, as we emerge from the protection of our mother's womb and start to develop our relationship with the outside world. The chakras represent a journey, beginning at the base and moving up. The chakras can be seen as a logical progression through life as we learn to deal with the outside world and its relationship with our inner world. The soul incarnates in the physical world, which is represented by the vertical line from spirit to earth. Then the soul goes through five levels of interaction with the world as it develops its physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual self.

Each week coming up, I will spotlight one charka. What is represents on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. What physical aspects of the body it rules, as well as what imbalances will look like in all forms. Included will be ways to balance each center with different tools.