Photo by Peter Lik
The real you isn’t bound by limitations.
It is the you of the mind that creates boundaries.
As you root into your physical and allow yourself to feel, to have and to create, the energy fires up at the third center and, as it encounters inspiration descending from the upper realms, magic happens.
But what if that energy flowing up from the second chakra finds a collapsed third chakra, one that has shut down from shaming and inhibition?
We become submissive, lethargic and aimless with poor self-esteem and afraid of taking risks. Or we rebel, becoming agressive, controlling and competitive.
Either way the mind blocks the flow to the healthy power that we have in us and we get stuck.
According to Anodea Judith, “the subtle body in which the chakras reside consists of an energy field known as chi, prana, charge, vital force. This life force is not created by the chakras. Rather they are the managers and organizers of it. The energy lies within us but it needs to be fired up and guided appropriately. Will is the engine of the third chakra. It moves us from what is to what we want it to be.”
When energy is flowing through us freely it feels like a soothing, gentle warmth. It is this energy that we want to move to different areas of our body through the calm direction of our will.
A strong will, a balanced third chakra comes from a strong core. The energetic center of your body when engaged creates power. As you bring breath and attention into that center, energy is ignited.
Some asanas specifically target this area then distribute the energy into the limbs. This includes twists, side openings and warriors.
Warrior pose is a power pose. In it you are holding, drawing up and letting go at the same time in a very delicate balance.
Begin by rooting in tadasana, moving within and visualizing the energy flowing up from your roots into your core. Then like a plant reaching up towards the sky, begin to energetically extend as you push down through your feet and reach up through the crown of the head.
This engages your core and allows the spine to naturally come into its perfect axis of alignment.
Continue to reach up as you raise your arms above your head and clasp your hands, first finger in temple pose. On the inhale lift your chest and draw the shoulders back as your arms continue to hug your ears. On the exhale allow your torso to release to one side. On the inhale come back to center. Move from side to side keeping your feet firmly grounded. Avoid collapsing your chest.
As you return into Tadasana connect with the flow of energy. Notice the sensations in your body.
From here you can move into any warrior pose of your choosing. There are many variations of this pose and all are great for the third chakra as they create core stength and help concenrate will. Be aware of a few common guidelines for all of them.
- Energize your torso by lifting and expanding your ribs and reaching into your arms and fingers, whether sideways as in Warrior 2 or upwards as in Warrior 1. Push down through the soles of your feet, up through the crown of the head and out through your fingers, engaging your whole body.
- Be completely aware of your core and your alignment, so that you are always moving from a place of balance. Create stability. Bend your knee so that it is in line with your ankle, never in front of it. There should be no struggle, pain or resistance.
- Once you have found your center, settle into the pose and stay there for 5 to 7 breaths. Be the witness of your own self. Be the peaceful warrior.
Planks, boat, locust, bow and downward dog are also beneficial. These asanas can be used to generate energy throughout the whole body. As you root through the hands and feet, or through your sacrum in boat, your belly in locust, energy is projected into your core and from there it spreads throughout your body. In addition, holding any of these poses stimulates a deficient third chakra while releasing them moves the stagnant energy of an excessive one. As you breathe into a sensation, you subconsciously identify and increase the tension in that holding. With the exhalation comes a slow relaxation that moves frozen prana.
Another way to fire up Manipura is using Kapalbhati pranayama or Breath of Fire. http://www.artofliving.org/yoga/breathing-techniques/skull-shining-breath-kapal-bhati
A great way to generate more energy is pushing with your palms against a wall while standing in alignment. As you inhale push and as you exhale slowly back off.
The goal in any practice is to own your will as a first step to reclaiming Will and optimizing flow of energy. By allowing the fire to rise you begin to create on purpose, aligning will and power, and moving beyond the boundaries of the mind.
Below is the link for Deepak Chopra’s new FREE 21 Day Meditation Experience – Shedding the Weight, Mind, Body and Spirit – which starts on March 21st
Enjoy!
