SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA - Feel the fire in your belly

The Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura (man-ee-por-a) meaning 'city of jewels' in Sanskrit) is a gem, a pearl and place full of energy. It is linked to strength, vitality, ego, inner strength and power. It is an incredibly forceful chakra when the wheel is spinning with freedom and balance but it can also be a chakra that can be over stimulated.

This chakra relates to we digest, understand life. That "gut feeling" that "fire in the belly" our "butterflies in our tummy". All these sensations are our body's way of drawing us inwards and listening to the deepest truth. My really listening internally, noticing our own intuition, this chakra guides us on a path of understanding and allows us to become a better version of ourselves. It means taking action and leaving behind what no longer serves us. It helps us be free to choose our own path in any situation and feel proud of our achievements, mastering our own destiny. To believe in ourselves and know we have the power and strength to change our outcomes and achieve our goals, whatever they may be. The fire is trans-formative, the flames flicker and nothing stays the same.

The Solar Plexus Chakra governs:

• personal identity

• self-assurance

• confidence

• self esteem

• motivation

• courage

Location: Between the navel and base of the sternum

Colour: Yellow

Element: Fire - Action and transformation

Organs and functions that the chakra effects: Digestive system, gall bladder, pancreas, adrenals and liver

Signs your Solar Plexus is balanced:

• you are confident

• You feel empowered

• There is a love and respect for yourself

• You are able to make decisions and feel confident and responsible for them

• you are able to turn your thoughts into action

• You are up for a challenge

General signs of imbalance in the Solar Plexus chakra:

(under-active)

• anxiety/fear

• low self confidence

• easily led by others

• indecisive

• demotivated

• poor self image

• inability to fics

• lack of organisation

• craving externals things for energy (coffee/sugar etc)

(Overactive)

You may feel...

• Arrogant

• competitive

• hyper-active

• short-tempered

• you have a need to be right

• you may struggle to sleep

• power hungry

• stubborn

• like being manipulative

These traits may manifest themselves physically through:

• nervousness

• digestive issues

• low body weight

• reflux

• IBS

• fatigue/hyperactivity

• panic attacks and stress

• low/high blood pressure

Checklist for your Solar Plexus:

• Do you feel like you can do anything you set your mind to?

• Do you digest your food with ease?

• Is your energy stable?

• Do you wake up each day eager to start the new day?

• Is there enough spice in your life?

• Do you feel like you life has too many toxic elements?

What you can do off the mat to help:

• BREAK OUT OF ROUTINE - take a rest go exploring, take a different route - I love this.Sometimes we just need to be a little free with our decision making and see where it takes us,

• LAUGH

• CUT TIES WITH NEGATIVE PEOPLE

• EXPLORE THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF RESISTANCE IN YOUR LIFE - what makes you not do something? generally it is the fear. How can you let go of that? will it free up your energy? Can I understand it some more?

• GET OUT INTO THE SUNSHINE

• EAT MORE OF THESE FOODS

* whole grains (e.g rice, oats, spelt, rye)

*legumes (e.g. lentils, chickpeas, beans)

*spices (e.g tumeric, ginger, cumin and cinnamon) I have a great tumeric latte recipe on my Instagram page "golden glow latte'

*yellow fruit and veg (lemons, bananas, pineapple, corn and yellow peppers)

Affirmations to help spark that fire within you:

I am worthy

I am confident

I am powerful

I am positive

I am motivated

I embody confidence and inner peace

I seek opportunities for my spiritual and personal growth

I hope you can listen deep and find that little ember within - light it up goddess - you are so much more than you know!