You're Not Lazy: How To Get Your Power and Passion Back
Reignite Your Inner Fire
It’s a common misconception that some people are just born with more motivation than others. If we happen to be the people that find getting motivated to be a challenge, it’s really easy to create stories around that experience such as “well I’m just lazy” or “ I don’t have the energy.”
I’ve been in that spot before of just not understanding, why other people seemed to get so much done and have so much limitless energy, while I myself would feel sluggish and unmotivated. I knew it wasn’t a lack of having desire and passion and goals…those used to pile up for me while none got checked off the list.
But it’s important to know that if you find yourself feeling this way, the yoga practice offers a remedy.
Manipura, The Solar Plexus Chakra
The third chakra is Manipura, or the Solar Plexus Chakra. Manipura translates roughly to “city of jewels.” I love this for the visual. If you can imagine what a city of jewels would look like in your head- glowing, bright, and radiant- and all of that lives inside of you at the Lebel of the solar plexus.
Manipura is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire, if you are a visual person. Its qualities are confidence, personal power, and will to take action. While we all have this energetic center, some of us may be more connected to it than others. Even if you don’t currently find that you are super connected to this energy in yourself, it possible to up that connection…and if you are looking at other people wondering why you aren’t as motivated and active as they are, this just might be the thing to help you find that level of energy.
If you’re lacking confidence and you’re looking to experience true transformation, working with Manipura, can be a game changer. Here are my top 5 favorite ways to connect to Manipura:
5 Practices to Help Connect to Manipura
Lion’s Breath - This powerful pranayama is my immediate go to when I need a burst of energy. I even start my day with 5 rounds of this if I am having trouble getting moving. This is also an amazing way to get a quick burst of confidence right before you head into a meeting or even where you want to show up with presence.
HOW TO: Take a deep inhale through the nose, as you exhale, stick out your tongue and gaze towards the tip of your nose while opening your eyes wide. Create a “roar” as you exhale. Don’t be afraid to make noise on this one…it’s sort of the point!Yoga Asana using the core- Manipura is located in the abdomen and I like to visualize a tiny little fire in my core. Doing asana that utilizes the core and fires it up helps to build heat in the body and create a burst of energy and confidence. The core is not just our energetic center of power, but it’s also our physical center of power. Without strong cores, we can barely hold ourselves upright! Poses like Navasana (boat), Plank, Chaturanga Dandasana, and Vasisthasana (side plank) are a great way to stoke that internal fire.
Yoga Asana utilizing twists- Again, we can bring that internal heat and power by moving through the midline of the body to fire up the core. Lunge twist, chair twists, revolved triangle, and twisted lizard can all help to bring awareness to Manipura as well as move energy through the midline to create balanced and uplifting feeling energy.
Lay in the sun- Any chance you have when it is sunny outside, bask in the sun. Even if it’s cold, at least let your face see the sunlight. The sun gives us immediate energy and power. Don’t underestimate the power of just being exposed to sunlight. A short walk, or even just sipping your morning coffee on a patio can be enough to charge you. (Caution: Be responsible! Sunscreen is important if you are in the sun for prolonged periods of time or if you have fair skin!)
Spice up your life- We can physically energize our digestive fires in the belly along with the energetic fire with spices! Good spices to utilize in your meals or even just in your tea can be things like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cumin. These warming spices will definitely get that fire going and help you to feel energized and ready to take on the tasks ahead.
Which one will you try first? Remember that any practice should have intention. Keep in mind what type of energy you are trying to connect with and why. Intention creates action and action creates results. So choose one or two of these practices to try this week and ask yourself what you want to cultivate this Manipura energy towards? A big meeting at work? A speaking engagement? A business pitch? Talking to someone you have been afraid to talk to? Whatever it is, get clear on what you want and why you are practicing.
*For more Manipura action, join me for this fiery core yoga class!
*For a short meditation to charge you up for taking action, join me for a 15 min meditation.
Unroll your mat, light a candle, play your favorite soft music as you arrive to your sacred space. You have arrived in your practice.
Here in the studio, you will be given the many magical tools that yoga has to offer, and you will learn how to integrate them into you everyday life to achieve the most fulfilling life you imagine for yourself.
Here you will create a comprehensive toolkit for embracing who you are and living the life you want. And you will do it alongside a community of supportive, caring practitioners, who all have embarked on the same journey.
All you have to do, is meet me on the mat...