Our center of gravity in our belly center or hara is our primary connection with the power of the Earth. This energetic center is also the support for our lower chakras, as well as the center for all movement. Our sense of strength and support, and our understanding of abundance, depend on how we experience the relationship of our legs, hips and pelvis - and our bodies - to the Earth.

Barbara Brennan in Light Emerging, explains that “by connecting down into the center of the earth through the hara line, we can synchronize our field pulsations with those of the earth’s magnetic field.” In this way we gather or entrain energy from the earth’s field. When we are aligned with the earth through our hara, we feel strong yet not adversarial, as we are simply aligned with our power and intention.

The center of the hara, sometimes called the tantien, is located about 2 inches below the navel, and about two inches deep in.  It may be easier to find the sacrum, the flat area where your spine and hip girdle meet up in the back, and then move your awareness forward. When we are not aligned in the hara, we experience lower back problems, either from tipping forward in our pelvis or being too far back. We may also experience upper back issues as our pelvis, hips and legs are not supporting the upper body. Invariably when I work with neck and shoulder issues, the lower body is not supporting the upper body. Physical exercise without this alignment will only make the situation worse. Ultimately all physical exercise, even our everyday movements, should be done with awareness of center and interconnection with the Earth, in conscious awareness of our movement.

Once an individual has developed the internal experience of hara, increasing awareness begins to develop in the lower body. As the true center of gravity becomes apparent, the legs can begin to experience supporting the hips and moving freely. The lower leg bones become aware of moving on the talus, as the energy moves down the legs through the feet. Very often the individual discovers that they have been gripping with their feet or pelvic muscles in order to feel support. This may feel like overefforting in life, trying too hard, always having to struggle to make it, or overcontrol. The development of the hara builds a sense of inner support and confidence, a trust in our ability as an organism to function through the power of Will.

As we become receptive to the energy/chi that flows through the hara, we also are affected at the cellular level. Our bones become stronger, as the chi naturally flows to the bones. Red bone marrow within the bones is restored and revitalized, we create more red blood cells, and more oxygen flows to the cells. The aspect of Strength is increased in the body, and we feel fullness and presence, and the ability to sustain an energetic charge that underlies sexual energy. We also develop the strength and vitality to be healthy and strong in our bodies.

In summary, the energy of hara is foundational, for our experience of the support of the Earth and our health and well being, which are always interconnected. When combined with an understanding of the structure and function of the hip. legs and pelvis through movement awareness, our life becomes filled with abundance and support, and we find ourselves aligned with our purpose in life. This is our next step as a culture and as individuals, to align with the power of Mother Earth.