Our series on the chakras continues with the fourth chakra at the center of the chest. Its name in Sanskrit is Anahata, which means “unstruck sound.” The music of the heart is unique to each person and we only share it with those we trust to hear it.

The heart chakra is associated with love, compassion and empathy. It is activated when we live with passion and according to our purpose for being. When we connect heart to heart with someone else—person, animal or Nature—we see the truth of our unity. We know we are One.

I recently had a visit from a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, a kind man who has deep love in his heart. In fact, he changed his name to El Earth. The El is L for Love. He shared with me some new commandments for Love which include Love Yourself, Love Others, Practice Forgiveness, Protect Nature, Embrace Diversity and Promote Peace.

This week I encourage you to take some time to write your own new commandments for Love. Contemplate them deeply and make the effort to live according to at least one of your commandments each day.

You might also enjoy this yoga posture which can open your heart physically and energetically. Find a quiet place to practice and put a blanket or yoga mat on the floor. You might also like to get a pillow and two more blankets to support your body in the pose. Fold a supportive blanket lengthwise so you can lie down on your back with the blanket under your shoulder blades (adjust the height up or down according to your flexibility and comfort). You might like to place a blanket under your head if your neck is overstretched. And if your lower back is unhappy, place a rolled blanket or bolster under your thighs at the back of the knees. Relax deeply into the supports and keep your breath even. Stay here for 5-10 minutes. At the end, remove the blanket from under your shoulder blades and let your back rest in neutral on the mat for another minute. Continue to contemplate Love.

We’re continuing our series on Unity Consciousness and the chakras. Having considered the first two chakras, we now reach the solar plexus. As the energy center of personal will, Manipura Chakra poses the greatest challenge to the quest for Unity. “Personal” can mean individualistic while “will” can be stubborn, two qualities that leave little space for the openness needed for inclusion. Also, this is the chakra of the fire element; when fire burns too hot it is all-consuming.

We can gain some perspective, however, if we look at the solar plexus chakra in relationship to the other chakras. As the third chakra it follows the root and the sacral. Root is associated with the earth element, grounding, and the sense of being rooted in a family or tribe. The sacral chakra is water element, flowing creativity, sensuality and pleasure. When these first two are functioning well, the solar plexus chakra becomes the catalyst for knowing ourselves and claiming our power as a unique individual. In this context, fire cleanses, purifies, motivates and burns off what we’re leaving behind. This can be exciting!

Because the solar plexus encompasses the middle abdomen where the hot organs of digestion are located, yoga twists are the best way to activate this part of the body. Bonus: Your digestion and elimination will improve too!

Knocking at the Gate of Life is a chi gung movement that stimulates the organs and calms the nervous system. Stand with your feet shoulder distance or more apart, knees slightly bent. Let your arms hang loosely at your sides and stay easy in all the joints. Twist the upper body while the arms swing from side to side. It’s okay if the arms bounce off the body as you twist because this adds to the stimulation. Breathe easily as you practice for 1-3 minutes. At the end stand still and notice how it feels like the body is still moving.

Reclining belly twist (Jathara Parivarthanasana) can be held for several minutes on each side which will bring release to a tight lower back. Lie down on the back with knees bent and feet on the floor. Slide both hips to the right. Straighten the left leg, place the right foot on the left leg, then use the left hand to rotate the right leg to the left side. Only twist as far as you can while keeping the right shoulder on the floor. You can also use a block, blanket or bolster under the rotated leg. After several minutes, return to the starting position and practice on the second side.

Ask yourself: For what do I “burn”? What am I passionate about?
What needs to “burn off” so I can give myself completely?
Knowing that each person has an inner fire, how can I support others in tending their inner fire?

We’re continuing our exploration of Unity Consciousness and the Chakras as we move up the spine to the Sacral/Pelvic chakra. There are different parts of the body where this chakra is said to reside—the sacrum at the base of the spine, the pelvic bowl, just below the navel or the womb. Its name in Sanskrit is Svadisthana which means “one’s own dwelling place.” This makes me wonder: What energies do we carry in the lower abdomen that connect us to our true selves?

Svadisthana chakra is associated with many interrelated energies--

Creativity, or expressing ourselves through art, music, decorating, cooking, work projects, hobbies, etc. Through our creativity we can express our deepest commitments.

Intimacy, being genuine and appropriately sharing our true selves with others.

Pleasure and enjoyment, or the ability to let go, have fun, and not take ourselves too seriously.

In Yoga philosophy, Svadisthana chakra is associated with the water element. We use water to cleanse, nourish and purify. Water is at its best when it can move and flow because water that does not move becomes stagnant. All reminders that our true selves are healthiest when we keep energy flowing gracefully through body and mind.

A favorite pose that connects us with this chakra is Extended Side Angle, or Utthita Parsvakonasana. Stand in Mountain Pose and turn sideways on a sticky mat. Step the feet wide apart to a comfortable distance. Turn the left leg in 45 degrees and turn the right leg out 90 degrees. Keep the back leg straight and bend the front knee. With palms together in front of the heart space, turn the upper body toward the left and look over the left shoulder. Reach the left arm over the back leg parallel to the floor. Turn the head to the right and reach the right arm over the front leg parallel to the floor. With an exhalation, bend the front elbow and bend to the right side until you can rest your forearm on the front thigh. Bend the top elbow to place the hand on the shoulder. Open the left arm pit and slide the shoulder blade toward the spine. Now reach the top arm over the head so the upper arm is almost touching the top ear. Hold for 5-7 breaths. Lift out of the pose, turn the legs to center, and practice on the second side.

Self-inquires for Svadisthana Chakra: How do I express myself creatively? When was the last time I had a genuine and meaningful encounter with someone? What made this encounter so genuine and meaningful? Remembering a time when I was able to “go with the flow,” what qualities did I bring to the experience that I might be able to repeat again in the future? Do I need more fun in my life? If so, how could I make this happen?