Month: March 2023

The heart chakra is associated with the colour green, representing growth, harmony, balance, healing and love. And, the element for the heart chakra is air which, like love, is vital for our survival. Air and love are all around us. When you move through life with an open heart you allow yourself to love freely and for it to flow through you. A healthy and aligned heart chakra will make you feel surrounded by love and connected to the world around you, which is just as wonderful as it sounds. 

What is not so wonderful, however, is when your heart chakra is blocked. A blockage in this energy centre can feel like you’re suffocating. Love, the primary emotion associated with this powerful chakra, is best when it’s given and received freely. Just like the air we breathe, the energy needs to be free-flowing. Try to contain it or dam its flow and it becomes unbreathable. 

A misaligned heart chakra can manifest itself in physical ailments such as poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, other heart and lung conditions or general pain and tightness in the chest. Emotionally, you may find it difficult to develop and maintain healthy relationships, feel lonely, unhappy, heartbroken or unable to give or receive love. You may struggle to connect deeply to yourself and others. This can be a breeding ground for developing fears around intimacy and self-loathing. 

Fortunately, a heart closed off from love can be reopened. And the best way to regain alignment and energy flow is to cultivate self-love and self-compassion.

Gratitude 

Having an attitude of gratitude is a beautiful way to fill yourself with love. I like to keep a gratitude journal where I jot down three things I am grateful for each day. These can be as small as relishing a morning stretch or appreciating your pet. When you put things into perspective and force your mind to focus on the many incredible things life offers, you are able to tap into this abundant vessel of love. 

Affirmations & Meditations 

As mentioned earlier, practising self-love is an important step to healing your heart chakra. If you can freely provide yourself with love then you can open yourself up to give and receive it from others, too. Affirmations are a great way to dispel negative emotions and beliefs through a ritual that cultivates daily positivity. Examples of some affirmations you could incorporate are: “I am worthy of love,” “I live with gratitude and generosity” or “My heart is open to giving and receiving love.” If you have the time I would strongly recommend practising your affirmation following an independent or guided meditation that’s centred around opening the heart chakra. You’ll find it easier to receive and believe the affirmations once you have prepared your mind. Here is one I personally like to practise. 

A healthy and balanced heart centre is crucial for us emotionally and physically. It’s not just about fostering romantic love, but love between friends, family, strangers, nature and, most importantly, ourselves. When we move through life full of love and compassion, we project and experience more gratitude which is a heartwarming place to be.

I’ve always been drawn to the magic and mystery of wellness practices, a curiosity that has blossomed throughout my adolescence. And as I have gotten older and committed further to my spirituality, it has led me down a path of learning and training. 

There are a plethora of wellness practices out there, and I have so far focused my energy into three: Reiki, sound and crystal healing. Since training in these wellness practices, it’s allowed me to tap into higher frequencies to heal the mind and body, and incorporate them into my own spiritual ceremonies.

If you’re seeking a natural way to promote healing and relaxation, you might want to consider Reiki. As a trained practitioner, I can attest to the power of this ancient wellness practice! 

Emerging from Japan, Reiki is based on the idea that we all have a life force energy, known as “ki” or “chi,” that flows through us. When this energy is blocked or depleted, it can lead to physical, emotional, or spiritual imbalances. Reiki works by channelling this energy through the hands of the practitioner to the recipient, helping to restore the flow and balance of energy.

During a Reiki healing session, you’ll be asked to lie down comfortably. The practitioner will then place their hands on or near your body in various positions, working to channel healing energy to promote relaxation, release tension, and restore balance. The effects of Reiki can be subtle but profound – during the session, you may feel tingling sensations as the energy flows through you, leading you to a sense of peace and calm.

Reiki has become an essential part of my spirituality; it guides my mind to a place of peace and inner calm that I carry with me throughout the day. Through regular self-Reiki sessions, I’ve been able to connect with my own inner-wisdom and intuition, unlocking a deeper understanding of myself.

My time in holistic training has shown me a different perspective on myself and others – and the wonderful part is, it’s not over yet! I still have so much to learn, and many more wellness practices to discover. At our very core, we are energy, and learning to tap into the energies of other forces can entirely reshape our overall wellbeing.

Welcome to the third chapter in my series of deep dives into the chakras, let’s explore the third in the seven chakra system: the solar plexus chakra. If you missed the two previous stops on our chakra tour, you can learn about the Root Chakra here and the Sacral Chakra here. 

Located in the upper abdomen, just below the rib cage, the solar plexus chakra is associated with personal power, confidence, and the ability to manifest our desires. I must confess that this chakra is my weakest, and something that I am actively working on strengthening to enhance my core energy and connect more deeply with my personal power.

The fiery energy of the solar plexus chakra resides in the upper abdomen, nestled in the space between the navel and the diaphragm. This chakra is bathed in the glowing radiance of the sun, its vibrant yellow hues representing the warmth and vitality of the element of fire. It holds the key to unlocking our sense of personal power, self-esteem, and willpower, helping us to ignite the flames of our deepest desires. When in balance, we are filled with a sense of confidence, motivation, and empowerment, ready to take on the world with fiery determination. To bask in the energy of the solar plexus chakra, consider practices like visualisation, affirmations, or creative expression.

Fasting 

Fasting is a powerful tool to help balance the solar plexus chakra. By abstaining from food, we allow our body to rest and rejuvenate, giving our digestive system a break from the constant demand of processing food. This allows us to tap into the deep well of energy within, cultivating our inner fire and connecting with our inner power. There are many different types of fasts, from intermittent fasting to juice fasting, so it’s important to find the right approach for your body and your needs. I sometimes like to combine fasting with meditation, to make the most of both practices.

Breath of fire 

Breathwork is an incredibly powerful practice with many healing abilities for our mental and physical health. The breath of fire is a powerful breathing technique used in Kundalini yoga to stoke the fires of the solar plexus chakra. To practise this technique, sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight, and begin breathing rapidly and rhythmically through your nose, pumping your belly in and out with each breath. This powerful breathwork can help to increase your energy levels, stimulate your digestive system, and clear any blockages in your solar plexus chakra.

Chanting Ram

The sound vibration of chanting can be a powerful tool to help balance the solar plexus chakra. The mantra for this chakra is “Ram,” which is believed to activate and stimulate the energy of the solar plexus chakra. To practise chanting Ram, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and repeat the sound of “Ram” aloud or internally. Allow the sound to resonate within your body, awakening your inner fire and strengthening your sense of personal power.

Abs stimulating workouts

Engaging in physical activity that targets the abdominal muscles can help to balance and activate the solar plexus chakra. Yoga posts like plank, bow and boat pose open the solar plexus, toning and strengthening the abdominal muscles, while also increasing blood flow and energy to your core. These poses allow us to tap into our inner fire, igniting our sense of self-worth and power. As we engage in these physical movements, we can envision a bright, yellow light radiating from our solar plexus, clearing any blockages and energising this chakra.

Crystals

The use of crystals is a common practice in chakra healing. For the solar plexus chakra, there are several crystals that can be used to balance its energy. Citrine is a popular choice, as it is associated with personal power, abundance, and joy. Tigers’ eye is also a great option, as it helps to boost confidence and self-esteem. Yellow calcite is another crystal that can be used to balance the solar plexus chakra, as it promotes a sense of courage and self-worth. Lastly, Libyan desert glass, also known as Libyan gold tektite, is a powerful crystal for the solar plexus chakra, as it helps to release any stagnant energy or blockages that may be present.

The solar plexus chakra is all about tapping into your personal power and taking action towards your goals. Remember, the journey towards balance is unique for each individual, so trust in your own intuition and listen to your body’s wisdom. Ignite your inner fire, set your intentions, and take action towards your dreams. Your personal power awaits.