With temperatures on the rise, the heat can overwhelm not only our bodies but the peace and balance of our emotions and inner world. In Eastern energy principles, this is caused by heat typically generated in the belly rising to the head, making it hard to think clearly and control emotions.
However, when we keep that fire down in our furnace—the belly—energy flow is optimal and maintains a state in which outside temperatures do not affect our inner world. When the belly stays warm, the head stays calm and cool. This is called
Water Up, Fire Down—the cycle of peace, health and life.
You may be familiar with the term “hot headed” or even used it to describe someone who is quick to react and loses control over emotions easily. This is when the warm energy we want in our abdomen rises to our head and leaves our bellies cool. If you have reversed energy flow, Water DOWN and Fire UP, the power of the belly has been dispersed to other parts of the body, creating an imbalance in ki, life force energy.
On the flip side, those who have “fire in the belly” experience balanced emotions, strong immunity and natural cooling mechanisms that function properly. They are driven and clear on their goals because their energy is balanced and their minds are focused.
Energy expert, Master Banya Lim, who is the Director of Sedona Healing Arts center, says, “On a hot summer day, abdominal breathing ignites the Water Up, Fire Down cycle to improve focus and is a great way to instantly cool the head and restore balance to the energy in the body.”
This simple breathing exercise, recommended by Banya, can be done before you walk outdoors or if you feel yourself overheating or experiencing a hot flash.
Abdominal Breathing
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Sit-up in lotus position with a straight, but relaxed spine, and place your palms on your lower abdomen.
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Begin breathing in deeply through the nose and fill the abdomen with your breath, collecting all of your attention in consciously expanding your belly like a balloon.
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Breathe out completely, releasing the lower vibrational energy and bringing your belly button in towards the spine.
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As you breathe, focus solely on the energy center in your lower abdomen growing warm and on stoking the fire within. Energy flows where the mind goes.
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Do this for at least one minute to feel the full effects.
When you are done, sweep your hand around your abdomen clockwise to seal the practice. Sit for a moment after and simply observe the sensations around the body. You may feel your head clear and your mental state sharpen, and maybe even a tingling on your third-eye at the forehead or physical warmth in the belly.
When you begin to feel your head growing hot at any point in time, summer or winter, day or night, hot flash or during exercise, do this technique and honor the power you have within to control your body and emotions with your mind.
Do you have a tip to stay cool in the summer? Share it with us in the comments below so we can all benefit in the scorching heat!