About three years ago my back began to hurt immensely. I attributed it to wearing the wrong shoes and pulling a muscle in my back while mishandling my makeup kit. The pain lasted for over 6 months. I started to look at alternatives to alleviate the discomfort. I changed beds, got massages, stretched, but nothing seemed to work. I decided to visit a chiropractor, who confirmed I had pulled a muscle.

The Chiropractor suggested I strengthen my core, a part of me that I had been neglecting for years. I had lost my connection with my navel. Years of shame, self-doubt, and hurt had weakened it, and the symptoms were now manifesting in lower back issues. He walked me through a treatment plan and also suggested I paid attention to my posture. It didn’t take me long to realize that my posture was terrible. I found myself often looking down avoiding eye contact. My upper body was hunched over, my belly sticking out. I was trying to hide, and my body had enough. I knew this was one of the biggest reasons my back hurt.

As a child my mother always described me as strong-willed and inquisitive. With a resilient spirit. I constantly questioned everything. I was limitless and felt like I could achieve and do anything. I possessed great confidence and didn’t care what people thought. I was comfortable in my own skin. Slowly I became aware of other people opinions “Don’t act like that.” or “Don’t wear that, you’ll attract negative attention” and “Don’t say that, someone might take it the wrong way.” I started to worry, and I began withholding my feelings. I became more silent.

This continued well into my adulthood. I would always be afraid of saying the wrong thing or hurting someone’s feeling. Sometimes I wouldn’t speak up because I didn’t want to seem difficult, even if there was a problem. I was allowing resentment and discontent to have space in my life, consuming my thoughts and energy but most of all I was blocking the true me. I spent years focusing on the happiness and comfort of others, forgetting to pay attention to my own wants and needs.

When I found Kundalini Yoga, I was shocked at the number of exercises that focuses on the navel. At times it even made me uncomfortable, and in my discomfort, many things began to surface. I was forced to face all of the shame and self-abuses I put myself through. My body was forcing me to pay attention to all of the details in my life that had been ignored. The lies that I was telling myself and the weakness I had imposed on myself. My injury was the reminder I needed to wake up and remember who I am. I needed to regain to regain my power, to be myself without apologies and speak my truth no matter how difficult it is. The more I paid attention to my core and strengthened it the more confident I became in the things I said and the decisions I made. I noticed a huge improvement in my overall mood and happiness.

When you have a strong navel point you are able to withstand difficulties with ease, you aren’t phased by the chaos that surrounds you. You are able to listen to your intuition and let it guide you instead of looking for the answering outside of you. You speak kindly yet confidently. A strong navel is essential for a woman, this is where our power to command comes from. It is a key energy point and where our creativity is stored bringing ideas to life. A weak navel point will cause separation from our purpose and destiny.

I had forgotten where I came from. The long lineage of strong woman who came before me. The freedom they had to fight for. Whether you realize it or not you too come from the same lineage too. Surround yourself with those who will uplift you, who will help harness your voice and strength. Who will encourage you to be the best version of yourself. Find a tribe of men or women who inspire you and no matter what speak your truth unapologetically.

Here’s an exercise that will help reset and strengthen the navel:

Begin with 1 minute

Stretch Pose:

Lie on your back.
Raise your head and heels 6 inches off the ground.
Focus the eyes on the toes and stretch the toes so they point away from you.
Place your arms either above your thighs with the palms facing down but not touching the legs, or along side your legs with the palms facing your body but not touching.
Begin Breath of Fire (rapid inhale /exhale through the nose with your mouth closed while pumping your navel)

Tips for beginners: Place your hands underneath your buttocks, this gives support to the low back and makes it easier to keep the legs up.
Raise one leg at a time, and then switch after a minute or so. Or try bending your knees slightly.

*Do not practice Stretch Pose if you’re pregnant, or on the first 3 days of your moon cycle

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.”
― Roman Payne

Be daring. Conquer the world.