Igniting Inner Fire

"Who's to say the effort to be real isn't the beginning of wings?

Who’s to say that the butterfly breaking through it’s cocoon isn’t the result of its being tired of living in a tight wave of it’s own making? Who’s to say the journey to peace doesn’t sprout like a small wing, the instant we let our feelings find their place in the world?

Every effort that is allowed it's full beat within will ripple as a birth of some kind in this world.”

-Mark Nepo

As the cold of February drags on, it's easy to start feeling inwardly drained and stagnant. The short cold winter days seem to reflect that contraction we sense in our emotions and energy levels. Without the sun's warmth permeating, energy constricts. As days remain short and dim, it mirrors an inner contraction we can experience emotionally and spiritually.

But if we look closer, we can see subtle signs that the thaw and rebirth of spring is slowly building.

We can use our Vinyasa practice in February to generate inner heat and awaken the powerful solar plexus energy. In my classes this month, we're reconnecting to our inner fire - the powerhouse energy in our core, our personal sun, giving us strength no matter the external temperatures - by re-stoking our inner fire to generate warmth, vitality and transformation.

The solar plexus - or ‘Manipura’ - Chakra - is the third of the seven Chakras and is located between the belly button and the base of the sternum, just a couple of fingers above the naval. The Manipura chakra is our core energy center, governing our personal power, self-esteem, and vitality. It’s the source of our intellectual power, clarity in life, assertiveness, discipline and self-confidence. When balanced, we have a strong sense of self and vital energy. When imbalanced, it can feel hard to take action, follow inspiration or see the impact of our efforts. We may experience digestive problems, low motivation, or anger issues.

But as we awaken this chakra through mindful breathing, movement and inner reflection, we connect to our vital fire and begin realizing our potential.

Through breath and a vigorous flow sequence, we can build internal heat to melt frozen spaces in the mind and release stuck energy that no longer serves us - envisioning glowing embers radiating through the body's core, letting warmth spread to places that feel numb or blocked.

This inner fire represents tapas – the fiery determination that trumps laziness and distraction. Activating the fire of the solar plexus provides the heat needed for personal thawing and transformation, digesting our experiences into fuel for growth. We stoke the discipline to transform ourselves, melt away impurities and burn through obstructions, even when external conditions seem cold and bleak.

The vision of effort birthing wings in the Mark Nepo quote reflects the awakened solar plexus energy in motion. Once centered and grounded in the breath, authentic acts flow from that place of truth. Our efforts unfurl like emerging wings, gaining amplitude and uplift. Each repetition creates momentum, building internal heat.

The concentrated intensity fuels progress and change. As an awakened Manipura accelerates our actions and intentions forward, each transformational step sends out expanding circles of impact far beyond the initial act.

So, as you practice this month, consider where you feel frozen or rigid. Then channel the solar plexus fire to dissolve the surface and reveal flowing possibility within. Let the warmth course through your body as you move, softening hardened spaces. Awaken your core strength to courageously transform rather than retreat this February.

Know that the warmth, joy and freedom of spring await eruption in our inner landscape as well. By awakening the sleeping fire within the solar plexus, we gain wings to lift our efforts and leave ripples of inspired change in our wake. Our true abilities can shine based on internal ignition alone."