It’s been a month since we last connected, so let me refresh you on the two takeaways from my last article: paying attention to what foods and drink you crave and when, and paying attention to when your breath is easy and deep or restricted and shallow.
Both areas of focus take place around the belly, the area where the Manipura or solar plexus chakra is believed to lie. Located between the rib cage and the navel, it represents self-esteem, emotions, overall digestive health, and the element of fire (think “digestive fire”).
Many yoga postures or asanas are intended to stimulate the chakra energy wheels in the body to help bring about balance. When your third chakra is out of balance, myriad digestive issues can manifest on the physical plane, while on the emotional plane, issues of low self-esteem and depression are believed to manifest.
In balance, a healthy manifestation of digestive energy and confidence arises.
Recall the last time you over-indulged at a holiday feast and then found yourself unable to take deep breaths. Food and the nutrition derived from it are vital for our health, but only in moderation. Oxygen is immediately vital, so does it make sense to overdo one avenue of good health that only then hampers another?
We can go many days without food, but we cannot go even a few minutes without breath.
The physical muscular structure of your stomach has a limited capacity. The next time you catch yourself wanting to overeat, think about your breath.
Performing breathing exercises, pranayama, or yoga asanas that involve twisting the torso are excellent ways to promote a strong digestive system. My favourite is supine spinal twist, known as supta matsyendrasana in Sanskrit.
Lay on your back with your arms out in a T, bend your right leg up towards you and then slowly lower it over and down to the left as far as is comfortable and then take five deep breaths into your belly and out to your ribcage, allowing the knee to relax closer to the floor with each exhale. Carefully return to centre, being mindful of your back, and then repeat on the other side.
This month become aware of the fact that your stomach has a limited capacity and try to not strain it. Secondly, practice the above supine twist a few times a week and notice how you feel afterwards.
Until next time, keep it real.