SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

DESCRIPTION

In Sanskrit, the Solar Plexus Chakra is known as Manipura, which means "City of Jewels".

Mantra: Ram. I do...

Color: Yellow

Location: In your stomach area.

Function: Responsible for self-control, self-esteem, and confidence. Gut instincts. Will power.

Balanced: A balanced Solar plexus is self-aware, has high self-esteem, and is successful. Is neither dominating nor submissive.

Overactive: Stubborn, angry, and controlling describes the overactive Solar Plexus. Perfectionism and over-critical. An overactive solar plexus has eating disorders.

Blocked: A blocked Solar Plexus has self-esteem issues, is depressed, suffers from anxiety, and is inactive. There are difficulties in maintaining boundaries.

Anatomy: Stomach, gall bladder, spleen, liver, pancreas, outer adrenal glands, digestion, metabolism, and lungs.

Element: Fire.

Oils/Scents: Frankincense, myrrh, rose, rosewood, and sandalwood.

Herbs: Chamomile, cumin, dandelion, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, marshmallow, mint, rosemary, and turmeric.

Associated Deadly Sin: Sloth

Foods/Drinks: Brown rice, cheese, golden apple, grains, lemon, lentils, milk, oats, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. Bright yellow foods such as pineapple, banana, yellow peppers, or yellow squash.

TODAYS' MEDITATION:

I prefer to meditate as soon as I wake up. First, drink a nice glass of water and blow your nose. Then sit in the Sukhasana pose, which is Indian style making sure your spine is straight (Head over heart, heart over hips). We are now going to do Nadi Sodhana (opposite nostrils breathing). Take your thumb and plug your left nostril, breathe in, switch your pinky to cover your right nostril while releasing your thumb from your left nostril, breathe out, and repeat for a total of four rounds.

Next, we go to YouTube and put on our favorite guided Solar Plexus Chakra meditation. My personal favorite is called Chants for Solar Plexus Chakra Healing by Meditative Mind. If you can find it they have one for each of the seven Chakras, find all seven and save them.

TODAYS' YOGA POSES: The very first thing I recommend is talking to your doctor to be sure that you are healthy enough for this or for any exercise regimen before you start.

The second step is to look up the exact correct ways to do each pose. I recommend a site called Yoga Journal.

Each week I will pick three poses per Chakra. Try to hold each pose as long as you can and do not forget to breathe. For today

1. Salabhasana

2. Marjaryasana/Bitilasana

3. Bhujangasana

If you want to do an entire yoga sequence I recommend YouTubing "Yoga with Adrienne". She is amazing.

RECIPES

SAGE HONEY PINEAPPLE COCKTAIL

1/2 C honey

1/2 C water

3-5 sprigs of sage

4 C frozen pineapple

2 oz lime juice

4 oz vodka

1 1/2 C crushed ice

On medium heat bring honey, water, and sage to a bubble, reduce the heat, simmer for 15 minutes, cool for 30 minutes, and discard sage.

Mix this in the blender with the frozen pineapple, lime juice, and vodka to a smoothie-like texture. Pour over ice. Serve immediately.

DAHL

Overnight soak 3 C dried chickpeas in water with 2 Tbls of ground turmeric.

Drain the water. Add 5 C of fresh water, 2 tbls each of curry powder and ginger, 1 Tbls cayenne pepper, 1 bulb of garlic peeled and separated leaving cloves whole, and 1 onion peeled and chopped. Boil for about two hours until the chickpeas are only slightly crunchy and nearly done. Add 2 C of lentils and 1 can of coconut milk. Cook for two more hours or until the chickpeas are tender and the stew starts to thicken.

SWEET BREAD

1 C milk

1/3 C sugar

1/3 C butter (not margarine)

1 Tbls active dry yeast

4 C flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbls vegetable oil

2 eggs (substitute with 1 C buttermilk or 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce)

heat milk, sugar, and butter until warm to the touch, remove from heat and stir in yeast. Let stand for about 10 minutes until foamy.

In a mixing bowl sift together flour and salt. Mix in eggs (or substitute), oil, and yeast mixture. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Grease a large bowl with oil and place dough in the bowl flipping once to coat with the oil, cover, and let stand in a warm place until double in size.

Punch the dough down and divide it into three pieces. Roll each piece into long rolls, and braid the three rolls together across a greased cookie sheet. let rise until almost doubled. Bake at 375 until golden brown, about 25-35 minutes.

TUMMY RUB

1/2 C unscented body lotion

4 drops of cardamom oil

4 drops of chamomile oil

5 drops of sweet orange oil

1 drop of peppermint oil

Stir together with a wooden spoon. Rub generously on the tummy.