How to increase willpower is a question that many people ask and the internet offers a myriad of advice on the subject. One unique answer though is by hula hooping. Hula hooping massages and stimulates the area around the centre of your body. In many Indian belief systems this area is recognised as connecting to the solar plexus chakra, which is the centre of willpower. Thus, when you spin the hula hoop around your waist you stimulate and balance energy that can increase your willpower, self-discipline and confidence.
A chakra (pronounced “cha”-“kra” with a resounding “ch”) is an energy focal point not a physical part of the body. The term originates from Sanskrit and means “wheel” and it is perceived of as a vortex of spinning energy which interacts with various physiological and neurological systems in the body.
The solar plexus chakra is known in Sanskrit as Manipura, and is located in the area of the navel and solar plexus in the upper abdomen. It is the chakra primarily associated with self-esteem, confidence and willpower. A balanced Manipura chakra allows you to have control over your thoughts and emotional responses, set healthy boundaries, and be at peace with yourself. Its physical association is with digestive function.
The energy of your chakra can become imbalanced in that you either have an excess or a deficiency. Symptoms associated with excessive energy in the solar plexus chakra include:
- Controlling, intolerant, or excessively competitive behavior
- Overeating and overindulgence
- Fatigue or excessive laziness
Symptoms of energy defiency include:
- Insecurity, anxiety and fear
- Low body weight and poor appetite
- Lack of confidence and poor self-image
- Inability to focus and lack of organization
Hula Hooping develops core strength which increases your sense of personal power. This is evidenced physically in terms of improved posture, and standing up straighter, taller and more open through the chest. When we stand and move with this more powerful alignment we feel more confident. Learning to hula hoop can also give us a sense of pride and achievement. According to chakra methodology this physical and psychological effect is also echoed energetically when we massage and stimulate our core area through hooping. Waist hooping helps to balance solar plexus chakra energy empowering you to become more proactive with a greater sense of self-worth. This is yet another reason why hooping makes you feel good.
The colour yellow is connected with the solar plexus chakra so if you wish you can enhance the energetic power of hula hooping by imagining a ball of yellow light or a golden flower resting just above your belly button while you waist hoop, or hoop with a yellow coloured or taped hoop, or hula hoop in the sunshine. You can also listen to chakra meditation music like the track below, or repeat affirmations such as the following:
- I love and accept myself.
- I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect.
- I choose the best for myself.
- I am proud of my achievements.
- I honor my self.
- I direct my own life.
- I appreciate my strengths.
- I feel my own power.
- I am free to choose in any situation.
- I am at peace with myself.
Have some fun incorporating some of these energy practices into your hooping and feel yourself grow stronger mentally as well as physically.
Namaste
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Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash