This Energetic Imbalance Could Be Making Your Gut Health Issues Worse

Digestive issues are among the most common complaints I see in my private practice. Getting your digestion in check can be a lengthy, complex process—one that requires dietary modifications, stress management, and lifestyle tweaks. On a more energetic level, I believe addressing the solar plexus chakra is also essential. 

The solar plexus chakra is located near the abdomen, where digestion takes place in the physical body. This part of the subtle body, the energetic field that surrounds the physical body, is where we decide what information to assimilate and what to eliminate. When the solar plexus chakra is balanced, digestion runs smoothly and our thoughts do not limit our potential. We can trust and act on our gut instinct and rarely leave an emotionally charged conversation feeling sick to our stomachs.

Opening the solar plexus chakra allows us to open up to the information we are unaware of—the things we don't even know we don't know. Once we open up to this information, the sky's the limit. It gives us the courage, the will, and the confidence to explore the unknown. A balanced solar plexus chakra allows us to trust that there is a whole world of possibilities for us waiting to be unlocked. It helps us feel empowered in our lives. When this chakra is closed or dysfunctional, we often feel insecure, unworthy, and physically blocked.

When we form our perception of the world solely based on the things we know, we can become stuck. True, sustainable healing requires breaking through that fear and trusting that what is on the other side is beyond our imagination. When you are ready to move from good to great, you turn to the solar plexus chakra.

Healing the solar plexus requires getting really honest about all the parts of yourself you want to change. Worthiness is not possible without bold self-acceptance. Here are a few practices to help with this embrace:

Yeah, there's a reason core work is so difficult! I like to think that every time you do crunches or bicycle curls, you are also burning through some of your self-limiting beliefs. So set yourself up in a forearm plank, engage your core muscles, and hold it longer than you think you can. Set a timer for 90 seconds, but when the timer goes off, stay in the pose. Every time you think it's impossible to keep going, keep going! Aim for three minutes and build up to seven.

Make a list of all the ways you judge yourself. Include all the things about yourself you don't like and the typical circumstances where you judge yourself harshly. (Think physical traits, behaviors, weaknesses, etc.) Then, close your eyes and visualize yourself as a teenager. Silently tell your teen self that they are perfect as they are. Go through each item on the list and silently tell your teen self that all of these qualities are welcome. Thank your inner critic for protecting you all these years, then acknowledge that you no longer need that protection.

The louder you raise your voice, the more uncomfortable the exercise becomes. Don't let the discomfort stop you. Keep raising your voice until you are screaming at yourself in the mirror. (Note: I don't recommend doing this one in public!)

Start by sitting up tall, lengthening the space between your navel and your heart. On the exhale, powerfully expel air through your nose by pulling the navel point back toward the spine. On the inhale, allow the upper abdominal muscles to relax, the diaphragm to extend down, and the breath to flow in effortlessly. Start with three minutes and work up to seven.