Your Two Brains

In traditional Yogic chakra theory, there are 7 major chakras in the body.  These chakras are like emotional and spiritual transducers that absorb and distribute life energy to various body organs and tissues.   In the same way that physical toxins can produce illness, emotional toxins can poison the physical and spiritual body in many subtle ways.

To read my previous post on the heart chakra please click here.  Today we explore the solar plexus chakra.

The Solar Plexus Chakra

This chakra, located just below your sternum, is associated with your stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and adrenal glands.  These are the organs associated with digestion.

Emotionally and spiritually your solar plexus chakra is related to your sense of personal power - your self-esteem and self-worth.   It is said this is where we hold on to our perceptions of how we compare with others and our issues of responsibility.  People who feel strongly the emotions of fear and intimidation, and those chronically stressed by their responsibilities, often complain of indigestion, heartburn and gastritis - all digestive ailments.

We tend to place our hand over our solar plexus chakra when we're experiencing a "gut reaction" or having a "gut feeling".  It's also the area of our body we instinctively protect by crossing our arms when we feel we're being emotionally attacked.  This is no coincidence.  Research shows that our gut has a mind of its own.  Just like the larger brain in our head, our digestive system receives impulses, records experiences and responds to emotions.  Its nerve cells are influenced by the same neurotransmitters that are found in our brain.   It's a two-way street.  Our gut can affect our brain the same way our brain can affect our gut!  This means balancing the energy in your solar plexus chakra will bring relief not only to your stressed-out digestive system, but to your stressed-out brain as well.  And who couldn't use a little stress relief?