All Plugged Up

Ever feel the need to get things moving? Living with stagnation and the feeling of being blocked can leave us feeling tired and uninspired.

As I journey down the yogic path, my awareness around how energy moves (or doesn't move) through us has grown as well as how it can greatly affect how we feel. When we have blockages as in our nasal passages, we can blow our nose, use a Neti pot or medication to unplug us. If it's the arteries of our heart, we have angioplasty, stents and bypass surgery (if altering our lifestyle hasn't changed it). If our digestion is backed up we've got all sorts of methods to get things moving again.

But what about if we have an "energy clog"? Then what? And how do we know if we have one? I'm not referring to the pep and vigor kind of energy, but the more subtle non-visible feelings of being more than simply a physical body. Most people have a sense of their own "energetic" field. In the New Age sense it might be known as your aura or in yoga, as one of the five koshas (energetic layers of our being). If this all sounds a bit "woo-woo" to you, how does it feel when somebody you've never met is standing just that bit too close to you? Does it feel welcoming and full of ease? Or, does it make you want to take a step back? That's the kind of energy I'm talking about.

The movement of this energy outside of us and throughout the universe is called Prana. When this energy flows into, through and out of us it's also called prana but with a lower case "p". Within the practices of yoga, pranayama is the practice of altering how we feel through engaging in breathing practices.

So, back to the original thought...how do we know if we're blocked and how do we get things going again?


Instead of intellectualizing it we need to move it. Get out and move your body-reach for the sky, dance, walk, hike, bicycle, grab a racquet or club, wrestle with your dog, play with your kids or get your hands dirty in the garden.


Engage with your breath either through physical activity or through consciously connecting to it with full attention for a few minutes. Singing out loud (whether in the shower, chorus, at home or in the car) helps us to regulate our breathing, clear our lungs, connect to our chords and voice.


In a more sublte way think of something that has been of concern for you lately. Perhaps making a payment, hearing about a friends who's unwell or an upcoming meeting that will likely be confrontational. Close your eyes and think about your particular concern. Try to keep your breath even and smooth. Do you feel any sensations within your body when thinking about this situation? Where? How would you describe the feeling? Does it have a shape, texture or color? If so, see if you can visualize shrinking it down to a size that fits within your next inhale and exhale it out of your body. It might take a few attempts to get it moving out of you.

Our bodies are a reflection of our emotional and spiritual selves. If we are challenged by things that are stressful, they will show up in your body...you can't hide from it. But you can alter it, move it and free up that clog giving it no chance to fester into something bigger.

Time for a cleansing? Begin with focusing on your breathing. Move your body. Think joy.

It's cheaper and probably more fun than a colonic!