When life needs some quick energy boosts. 

Utilizing the solar plexus chakra.      

We are making our lists, checking them twice, and finding ourselves…needing extra energy pushes.  Yikes!  

Knowing exactly where you are headed but needing energy pushes to get there, is a unique kind of feeling.  There is a healthy and positive anticipation for things to come.  And your inner negative critic is pretty silent (for once) because you are hopeful that everything will get done.   It’s not that you are lacking energy; it’s just that you need more than usual!  So how can we get it?  One way, is to use yoga’s Manipura (solar plexus) chakra to get both physical and mental energy pushes.

For example, to get a quick energy boost fire up your belly. Fire it up with 2 minutes of sit-ups or a few rounds of yoga poses like Cobra or Bow.  Or, try 1 full minute of Kapalabhati breath:  Inhale passively through your nose, then quickly exhale in small bursts through your nose, sharply and quickly and repeatedly. This works because the solar plexus, found in the belly area, is our center of vitality and stamina.  

Another example of getting a belly boost is through food. This week I found myself eating more than usual, and of course pushing the sugar and caffeine.  It worked for the short run, but when I realized I was needing energy through food, I instead looked for even better food sources. I started snacking on foods that fire up metabolism, like yellow fruits/veggies, eggs, honey, ginger tea, blueberries…

My favorite way to get an energy lift is to close my eyes and do some Manipura mindfulness.  I imagine a warm ball of sunshine or fire inside my belly, gently growing and shrinking with each breath. Then imagine the warmth spreading until it covers the whole body.  Imagine being somewhere warm, feeling safe and content.  Use that warmth to remind yourself:  I am worthy, I am watched over, I am cared for. This is because your manipura energy comes from knowing that you are not in this alone. Brain research says, this is particularly useful if done right before bed, fueling your energy for tomorrow.       

In the big scheme of things, having focus but needing a bit more energy isn’t such a terrible problem to have. But it shouldn’t be ignored, because it can turn into feelings of anxiousness, spinning your wheels, or quick temperedness.  So watch out for it, and when it happens, don’t cry and don’t pout.  Gift yourself with some ancient yoga energy boosts, for goodness sake!   

Until next time,

Laura