Chakra Yoga Series Part 3: Solar Plexus Chakra

After establishing a grounded root and exploring our creativity in week 2, week 3 classes’ have been exploring the power of the Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura.

The element of this Chakra is fire and boy did that translate into our practice, where strength was the key word through every posture. This chakra is associated with self confidence, optimism, and determination without the need to trample over others. It was a great, if challenging week on the mat.

Drawing on our personal power

This week our practice focused on:

• Uplifting our energy

• Restoring confidence and optimism in our ability to achieve

• Holding poses for longer

• Warrior poses, plank, boat - expansive and strong

• Facing the physical challenge to see how much we are capable of

Holding for longer

By spending longer in poses like Warrior two, plank pose and down dog, we had to draw on our well of inner strength to last the distance. The breath was our supportive guide, enabling us to strengthen our will power to stay for longer. This practice really challenged us physically, but the rewards of knowing we could do it were great.

Oils to support our fire

Alongside our asana practice, we worked with 2 beautiful essential oils to enhance our exploration of the Solar Plexus Chakra.

This weeks practice started with Lemon essential oil. A breath of bright, uplifting fresh air, it wiped the slate of the day clean and encouraged us to let go of emotional confusion and doubt, clearing the mind, encouraging self-trust and uplifting us in body and soul.

Then Pine essential oil was introduced towards the end of the practice. This fortifying scent helped to bolster our confidence and like Pine often does, it re-established our connection to life in the hear and now.

I absolutely loved this combination of oils for all it added to our Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga class this week. This class takes place on a Tuesday morning at Ditchling Pavilion.

Continuing the journey next week

Next week we’ll be reaching the Heart Chakra, Anahata. This chakra which is the link between the lower, more physical chakras, and the upper, more spiritual and ethereal ones. And once again our practice will change to explore this energy centre in all its glory

If you’re intrigued to explore this in your own yoga practice you are warmly invited to join us on this journey through the Chakras. Click to discover my yoga classes, workshops and retreats.

Essential Oils and Themed Yoga Teaching

Working with aroma alongside yoga can add a subtle but powerful layer to themed classes, workshops and retreats.

Essential oils like Lemon and Pine can deepen the energetic tone of a practice and help guide students deeper into the qualities you’re exploring.

For yoga teachers, learning how to integrate essential oils safely and intentionally can open up new possibilities for creating meaningful, sensory-led classes, workshops and retreats. Check out my practical guide to essential oil safety in yoga classes here

If you're a teacher interested in exploring this approach, I share the framework I use for blending aromatherapy with yoga practice inside my on demand Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD, where we explore safety, how to use scent to deepen your students yoga practice, and ways to weave scent into themed classes such as chakra practices.

You can learn more about the training here: Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD

Sources and Inspiration

The themes explored in this class were informed by my own knowledge of traditional yoga philosophy and aromatherapy as well as inspiration from:

• Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga, published by Llewellyn Books

• The Power of the Chakra’s, Fiona Toy, published by Hinkler

• Aromatherapy for healing the spirit, Gabriel Mojay, published by Healing Arts Press

These sources are a few of the books I go to to inform the framework I use when designing themed yoga classes that integrate asana, pranayama, subtle energy and essential oils.