Refining Exercises 2

REFINING EXERCISE NO. 2 - This Exercise Deals with the Area of the Solar Plexus.

Method:
Put both the hands (palms) on the stomach, at the upper part of the navel. In this exercise, the upper portion of the stomach above the navel should be light. Take deep and swift breath along with the musical rhythm at the speed of 36 breaths per minute, as done in exercise No. 1. Be attentive that the stomach should go out while inhaling and go in while exhaling. The entire breath is restricted only to the stomach, abdomen area.

Time Limit:
Maximum on minute in the beginning.  Once you are comfortable with a minute, increase by about ¼ to ½ a minute per month till you reach 3 minutes.
*Please note that the duration should not be extended beyond 3 minutes.

Benefits:

Physical
This is the area where the digestive fire is created, so the proper creation of this ensures general health and toning up of the abdominal glands. Intestinal peristalsis movement is toned, so the passage of food becomes easy and we do not suffer from constipation. There are many other organs and glands in this area which get massaged by this exercise - the kidney, liver, pancreas, spleen etc. The pancreas are not exactly and endocrine gland but have a group of cells called Islets of Langerhans which have endocrine tendencies and produce insulin which digests sugar. They also produce valuable digestive juices and play an important role in calming or neutralising the production of adrenaline. On each kidney is a small gland called the Adrenal Gland. They produce adrenaline, which is important for self-preservation. All the gleans are massaged and toned by this exercise. 

Emotional
If the adrenaline gleans are not working properly, it leads to passive, moody and depressed introspective ‘ Types’. If the pancreas is not complementing the adrenaline glands properly, it leads to impulsive nature, irritability and anger. But the proper and balanced working of both gives vitality to a lethargic person and tranquility to an overly anxious person. Further, the pancreas is like a sponge as far as negative emotions are concerned, absorbing and holding them, which makes them repeat all the time, thus creating a granthi in this area.This is also the area of Power (according to the Chinese, chi energy is generated here.) But this power must be positive, which can only happen when we overcome the granthi of fear. Most importantly, this is the area of [A] Instinctive Fear [B] Lower Animal Nature