XII. Our mysterious center, the navel center or hara

We know the gut feeling and by now also the gut brain. Meditators find their inner peace and fighters their inner strength in their navel center. Acupuncture needles lead the „sea of energy“ from the navel region into the meridians. Osho saw the navel as the most important center of the body. Trauma therapists see the origin of a traumatic reaction more and more in the belly. All over the world we find therapists and healers healing through the belly. We live in a body that we hardly know, respect little and largely underestimate. In the following chapters I invite you to a journey into its mysterious center.

In the first part we will first look at our fascial system with its center, the navel and its cooperation with the vagus nerve and our energetic center, the solar plexus.

Then we explore the importance of the navel during pregnancy and birth and our mysterious belly brain. In the second part we look at what different traditions and research say about our center and try to discover for ourselves the powers and wisdom hidden there.

1.1 The navel as the center of the fascial system

Fasciae form a highly sensitive perception, communication and regulation system, also for our emotions.

Fascia surrounds and connects all our organs, muscles, joints, nerves and vessels like a spider web.

The navel is the center and connecting point of this network. While fasciae provide dynamic stability to our musculoskeletal system, they also form the most sensitive organ of perception in our musculoskeletal system as a three-dimensional network of tension connections and a highly sensitive information guidance and processing system.

The space in which the fascial tension connections vibrate in a lymph-like fluid, the so-called intercellular space, forms a communication system connecting all our cells, the so-called basic system, the matrix.

This is where the branches of the blood, lymph and nervous systems meet, especially the terminal branches of the sympathetic nervous system, which we will talk about in a moment.

The matrix thus plays a fundamental role in metabolic and immune systems, regulation and information conduction. But it gets even more exciting. With the crystalline properties of a large liquid crystal that is constantly changing its structure, our fascial system can respond to electromagnetic waves, as well as generate and store them. Thus, in treatment, we regularly observe how emotions stored in the fascial system or aura can bereleased. We have been able to experience that pelvic torsion usually relaxes directly when we touch our navel. And we have experienced that this does not succeed as long as the aura of our navel center is stressed.

Here you can learn more about fasciae

 1.2 Solar plexus and vagus

 Our solar plexus regulates not only our fascia, organs, and internal regulation, but also our mental and emotional vibratory capacity.

Our solar plexus is responsible for regulating the state of tension, sympathetic tone, and the state of relaxation, parasympathetic or vagal tone. While the sympathetic nerves are responsible for performance, attack and defense, the vagus, as the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, is responsible for relaxation and regeneration. Thus, the solar plexus regulates the muscle tension of the stomach and intestines, the glandularactivity of the liver and spleen, and the work of the so-called abdominal brain in the intestinal walls, including the formation there of hormones and messenger substances that influence our emotional life. It controls the work of our heart and regulates our fasciae. Via the vagus, it influences our limbic system with the amygdalla and thus what and how we feel and think, what causes us fear or gives us pleasure and joy. The adrenal glands, which are connected to the solar plexus, produce the steroid hormones such as cortisol in their cortex and our stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline in their medulla. They are controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Cortisol inhibits protein synthesis and thus new cell formation and our regeneration. At the same time, it promotes protein breakdown in bones, muscles, lymphatic and immune systems. It also inhibits our digestion and sexuality. Trauma or other excessive stress can lead to a disturbance in our ability to relax and thus regenerate and regulate. Our system remains in escape. Defense or attack mode or freezes. Our belly can no longer produce the necessary hormones and messenger substances (neurotransmitters). We notice this in an increasing reduction in performance, malaise, tension with neck and back pain, irritability, depression, sleepdisturbance, loss of libido, digestive disorders, cardiovascular problems, etc….

On examination, tension in the hip muscles, in terms of partial or complete pelvic writhing,indicates a fixed stress mode.

1.3 Exercise: The fascia tree

In your imagination, inhale through your navel and let your breath flow throughout your body as you exhale. You can imagine a tree in your navel that spreads further and further into your body as you exhale. As you do so, it wraps around and connects all of your organs, muscles and vessels. With each inhale, you can let the light and power of the sun flow into your navel. As you exhale, this power flows into the branching plant in your body. Feel the breath and the living power of this plant. Also open yourself to the intelligence of your fascia tree. Not only does it perceive all the processes in your body, but it also perceives a great many processes in your environment, especially the tensions and feelings in the fascia plants of other living beings. Like the plants of a forest or a meadow, we are also invisibly connected to each other through our fascia plants.

1.4 The navel, our connection to the mother  

Our navel stores the essence of our fetal creation process.

The umbilical cord is the only direct connection of the developing individual with his mother, who nurtures and protects him, but sometimes also burdens him.

Fetus and mother eat, drink, smoke, experience joy, sadness, anger, excitement and also any stress together. The fetal umbilicus experiences the maternal response to life through the composition of the umbilical blood, including oxygen and carbon dioxide content and pH of the blood, through the rhythm of the heartbeat and blood pressure. Through the numerous free nerve endings and sympathetic nervous system receptors in the umbilical fascia, the umbilicus experiences the maternal autonomic nervous system’s response to life. However, the umbilical fascia also actively participates in the regulation of information supply. In this regard, the connection of thoughts and emotions with the fascial system is demonstrated, for example, by the fact that even the mother’s thought of nicotine can lead to a constriction of the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord and fascial system experience the individual development of stress reactions, pain, fear, sadness, aggressive behavior but also joy, affection, learning, memory, preferences and active communication with the environment with active participation. The cellular memory of the umbilicus, like other scars, probably stores emotions as well as the associated responses of the autonomic and fascial systems. However, crucial to our development as individuals is not only the essence of the fetal individuation process but especially that of the delivery process. Our navel, as our primordial scar, represents our separation from direct connection with life and emergence as an independent human being (see also in Almaas: The Essence). An experience that in the positive case could support the primordial trust in life, but in the negative case can cause a persistent burden on the person. However, the formation of the umbilical differs significantly from the formation of all other scars. After the umbilical cord is cut, the remaining part retracts on its own and forms our navel. This probably explains the superior functioning of the umbilicus compared to other scars or fascial irritations in Integral Orthopedics.

1.5 The navel and the abdominal brain

Our abdominal brain not only regulates our digestion and our immune system. It also significantly influences our emotions and our behavior.

The navel is the direct center of the peritoneum and the fascia that envelops the intestine and supplies it with nutrients and information.

The abdominal brain is located between the muscle layers of the intestinal wall. With around 100 to 200 million nerve cells, it is larger than the nervous system in the spinal cord and works with the same cell types, active substances and receptors as our brain. Among other things, it controls the balances of inhibitory and excitatory nerve messengers, stimulatory hormones and protective secretions (Gershon). It analyzes and controls millions of chemical and biological substances as well as microorganisms livingsymbiotically with us and affecting us.

The intestinal wall is also the body’s largest immune organ. More than 70 percent of our defense cells are located there. And „the intestinal brain feels,“ says Michael Schemann from Hanover, who is researching the „neurotransmitter cocktails“ in the digestive tract. In total, at least 40 nerve messengers are produced and regulated here. Our so-called happiness hormone serotonin, for example, stimulates areas of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for emotional feelings. There, it reduces impulsivity, aggressive behavior and fear, among other things.

The intelligence of our abdominal brain exceeds the capabilities of our consciousness by dimensions. The same applies to our fascial system and our autonomic nervous system. Our consciousness can react to this with humility and gratitude. It may also become curious about how we can consciously encounter the secrets of our center.

2. navel and hara in therapy and spirituality

2.1 Neural therapy

The possibility of emotional and physical relaxation by irradiation the navel or a disturbed scar with laser light proves the electromagnetic basis of our body and psyche. Simultaneous relaxation of the vegetative system and pelvic torsion during injection, laser irradiation or manual relief of the navel proves their connection.

We recognize a basic electromagnetic structure body

In neural therapy, scars are seen as possible trouble spots with effects on the entire body. They can be responsible for persistent, chronic complaints and disturbed self-regulation. The treatment is carried out by injecting local anesthetics to scars or other trouble spots as well as to switching and pain zones. The navel plays an overriding role in this process as our „original scar„. By injecting into the navel, a change of the entire vegetative system with relaxation of all fasciae and organs is observed. At the same time, the dissolution of pelvic torsion can be observed.

The same effect can be achieved on all disturbing scars as well as on the navel with a simple laser pointer. From this it can be concluded that all our physical processes are based on an electromagnetic level. In the homologous oscillations of a laser, as in the case of light rays shining through a polarizing filter, all waves lie harmoniously on top of each other. This harmonizes obviously inharmonious vibrations of a disturbing scar or a tense navel. A stronger functional and emotional relief can be achieved with a delicate de-stressing in the sense of an ortho-bionomic de-stressing. However, all these techniques work only if there is no overriding stress in the corresponding aura. The best effect shows the simultaneous relaxation of the navel or a scar and forwarding of the obviously released energy to a region in need of energy with the navel or scar integration of Integral Orthopedics.

2.2 Somatic experience

Peter Levine’s pioneering Somatic experience in trauma therapy sees the abdomen with its autonomic as well as enteric nervous system, the so-called abdominal brain, both as the place of origin of most traumatic reactions in the body and as the starting point of the associated healing.

2.3 Biodynamic psychology and physiotherapy

Already a hundred years ago, physical and mental complaints were diagnosed and treated through the abdomen.

Gerda Boyesen, born in 1922, a psychologist and physiotherapist from Norway, successor of Wilhelm Reich and student of Ola Raknes discovered the so-called „psychoperistalsis„, activities of the intestine in connection with the mental and vegetative state. A blocked psychoperistalsis corresponded to what in neural therapy is called regulatory rigidity.

The treatment of vegetative dysregulation, stress and emotional problems was carried out with gentle massages supported by a stethoscope placed below the navel. The navel area speaks to the practitioner through the intestinal sounds and directs him/her to the areas that want to be treated. During the gentle loosening of adhesions between muscle and connective tissue, memories also emerge again and again and can be gently integrated.

Her work in the early 90’s also involved the breath as well as bodily and cosmic energy flows and the aura and was later further developed by David Boadella.

2.4 Ortho-Bionomy

Ortho-Bionomy treats disturbing scars by gentle touch or gentle shifting in the so-called, free direction and also treats disturbances in the aura, if necessary.

„At the navel, pre- and postnatal experiences meet with the structure and function of a central switching point of the ventral myofascial chain“ Klaus Weber the head of the German Society for Ortho-Bionomy, comments on my presentation of navel integration. And Terry Lee, an American Ortho-Bionomy teacher writes: „All our internal movement patterns originate from this region of our structure, the connection from above to below, the original connection to the center, to life„.

 2.5 Reflex therapy

 In the system of neurolymphatic reflex points according to Chapman and Goodheart, the bladder zone is found around the navel, as well as the reflex zone for the muscles between the sacrum and pelvis and the kidney on both sides of the navel, the weakness ofwhich in turn is seen as decisive in the TCM reflex system, among other things for chronic back pain.

2.6 Kinesiology

Kinesiology recognizes stress by a weakness of certain muscles in contact with a disturbing focus or debilitating thoughts. For allergen testing, an extract of the substance is placed on the navel. If this is well tolerated, the test muscle tests strong and vice versa. In applied kinesiology (AK), the navel is seen as the most important point for examination and treatment in the presence of what is called „switching„. This is a neurological dysorganization caused by a coordination disorder of the two hemispheres of the brain.

2.7 Navel, Hara and Tan Tien

In many traditions, the navel is considered the center of the hara (Japanese: source of life) or lower tan-tien (or dantian). There the practitioner of Zen, Qi Gong, Kung Fu or Aikido gathers his inner strength and finds the balance of dynamism and deep calm. The middle Tan-Tian corresponds to the heart center and the upper to the third eye or brow chakra.

The hara is also often located throughout the abdomen.

As an argument for the localization of the hara in the navel, it can be seen that touching the navel normally leads directly to a relaxation of the fascial system. This does not apply to touching the point traditionally indicated for the Tan Tien three transverse fingers below. Also, the navel integration only works when the navel is touched.

2.8 TCM

The Tan Tien is considered in traditional, Chinese medicine as “ an ocean of Chi, which must first overflow to fill the rivers (meridians) and then supply all organs. By freeing the flow of Chi, we can strengthen our organs and our life force and activate our self-healingpowers. Our heart is relieved as the circulatory system, nervous system and glands are activated and all body fluids (blood, lymph) can flow more easily through the body. A high Chi pressure improves our personal power, gives us more concentration and balance in daily life“ (Rainer Semlin).

The navel is the central point of the conception vessel and is also called our channel of origin or creation. It is basically not needled, but only treated with warming moxa.

2.9 Ear acupuncture

In ear acupuncture, the navel point is identical with the very important central coordination or zero point. According to Nogier, the French physician and founder of modern ear acupuncture, the navel point is the master point of the auricle and the starting point of Nogier’s treatment or power lines. Needling of the navel point is indicated, among other things, in cases of overexertion, in states of exhaustion and to improve the general condition. In case of spasms of the abdominal organs it has a spasmolytic effect. The zone of the solar plexus also begins there.

In Indian philosophy, the navel point corresponds to the ear chakra as the energetic center of the ear.

 2.10 Ayurveda

The ancient Indian medicine of Ayurveda, which also includes the system of yoga, recognizes the navel chakra or Manipura as one of the central energy centers. 72,000 nadis or energy channels are said to be located around the navel. Our emotional center is assigned to the heart chakra. As we now know, the heart is not just a muscle, but also has its own autonomous brain with 40,000 nerve cells, sympathetic nerve fibers from the neck and its own parasympathetic nerve plexus at the base of the heart. The heart brain is mainly regulated from the abdomen. The third gateway to the inner light is located in the head. The so-called third eye or forehead chakra is anatomically assigned to the pineal gland. The pineal gland is responsible for melatonin production and therefore for the sleep-wake rhythm and physical growth. On an emotional level, the pineal gland influences the inner light of the mind and the mood of the soul depending on the external light of the sun. On the electromagnetic level, the pineal gland corresponds to a powerful transmitting and receiving antenna due to its structure. The same applies to the fascial system of our body, so that communication between the two systems is theoretically possible.
The crown chakra is assigned to the hypothalamus or diencephalon. It is the highest regulatory center for all vegetative and hormonal processes and regulates our emotional and sexual behavior. The connection to the solar plexus or navel chakra runs anatomically via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and is the basis for the function of our autonomic nervous system and its connection to our subconscious and our emotions.a common practice of meditation in many cultures is to absorb the „divine light“ via the forehead chakra and transmit it to the heart and navel center. Union with inner stillness or with God can be achieved through all three gates.

2.11 Anthroposophy

Anthroposophical medicine, founded by Rudolf Steiner, sees a connection of the physical body with the subtle bodies, above all the astral body, i.e. the levels of the aura, via the chakras. The solar plexus, as the probable anatomical substrate of the umbilical chakra or navel center, is considered to be the center through which the anthroposophical I, which most closely corresponds to the Self, intervenes in the organization of the human being. It is called the abdominal brain together with the kidneys.

 2.12 Navel chakra and solar plexus

Quoted with kind permission of the author Damian Alvarez, from his book „El plexo solar, el sol de tu vida„: „Through the solar plexus, man communicates with the universe, because the solar plexus is connected with all the chakras and all aspects of the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical personality. In Sanskrit, the associated third or navelchakra is called Manipura, which can be translated as power center, among other things. In Russian it is called JiGot, which comes from Bulgarian and means life. In other cultures it is called Nabellotus, master of life or sun of your life. The solar plexus controls the life energy (qi or prana) that this chakra absorbs and distributes. When its function is not obstructed, the solar plexus contributes to the healing of all kinds of diseases. It is the only chakra present at birth, transcends the dimension of space and time, and is connected to our original (or divine) consciousness. One of its functions is to protect the aura. In case of danger (or stress), it can close to „protect“ the other energetic centers. Stress and trauma affect the body first and most strongly in the navel chakra.

Alvarez sees fear and envy as the most important cause of social traumatization of the solar plexus; fear, especially also as a result of a negative, fear-promoting upbringing. He also describes the solar plexus as the seat of the constantly occurring unconscious, energetic communication between people and between people and their environment, with the possibility of a transfer of energies, energetic blockages, but also patterns of emotions or thoughts.

People with a well-developed navel chakra also take a greater physical interest in their environment, share suffering and joy with their fellow human beings, and thus also increasingly feel the problems of others in their own bodies. If their navel chakra is balanced, it protects them from harmful influences. This also contributes to the stabilization of the positive aspects of their ego. Adolescents are connected to their parents‘ navel chakra until the age of 21, and suffer accordingly from their traumas, malaise, self-limiting ideas and lack of self-love, and enjoy their balance, well-being and self-confidence.

To strengthen the solar plexus and navel chakra, Alvarez recommends, among other things, laughing and crying, as well as deep abdominal breathing. A massage of the solar plexus is performed with both hands under gentle but sufficient pressure from the upper abdomen down to the symphysis and from both sides to the center.

2.13 The navel in shamanism and aura teachings

Don Juan, the indigenous shaman from Mexico in Carlos Castaneda’s books, sees people as a luminous egg made of circling light fibers that circle between the head and the navel. They connect people to their environment through their navel, keeping them balanced and giving them stability.

Aura-sighted people often see a connection from our navel to that of the important people in our lives.

13.1 Exercise: Liberation from unconscious entanglements

Part of the basic training in „Aura Vision“ by Rainer Strücker is the conscious separation from such unconscious connections that inhibit us through affirmations.

Speak out loud three times: I take back everything that is of me in others.

While doing this, breathe in through your nose and imagine your connections coming back to you.

Then speak aloud three times: I give back everything that is of me in others.

While doing this, exhale firmly through your mouth and imagine that you are giving back all the navel connections.

2.14 The navel as an original sound

The transmission of our individual primordial vibration stored in the navel to zones with inharmonious vibrations is possibly the basis of healing during navel integration.

The Indian naturalist, nuclear physicist, musician and mystic Dr. Vemu Mukunda, who died in 2000, researched and taught about a personal keynote in every human being that vibrates at the navel. He practiced healing by leading to this individual primordial tone.

2.15. navel chakra and sufism

The connection of the breath (nafas) with the navel (naf) and the remembrance of God purifies the drive soul (nafs).

In Sufism, the mystical tradition especially of Islam, the personal or libidinal soul is called „nafs“ and is loclized in the belly. The navel is called „Naf“ in Persian and the breath „Nafas“.

The higher part of the soul „Ruh“, which is connected with the divine, is localized in the heart, and the open heart is shown by the luminous gaze. The purification of the „Nafs“ by connecting the abdominal center with the breath and the heart is done with the simultaneous visualization of the divine beloved or the divine self. God in Persian is called „Choda“ and the self is called „Chod“.

In Sufism, the development of contact with the divine Self occurs, among other things, through constant remembrance of his or her presence as lover, teacher, guide, friend, repeating his or her names, cultivating a constant mood of gratitude, reverence and humility, as well as enthusiasm and ecstasy.

In the Diamond Approach, the teaching of the renowned American-based psychotherapist and Sufi teacher Ali Hamid Almaas, the separation of the child from the mother at the cutting of the umbilical cord is seen as the separation of the human being from the original, divine essence of life.Through the navel we are connected to the essence of life in the womb.

Ludwig Janus in his book: „How the soul is formed“ quotes the Indian psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar: „With birth and the cutting of the umbilical cord, a connection with the universal consciousness is broken. A gap is created in the area of the navel, called „maya“ in Hindu thought, which separates the individual’s consciousness from its universal roots.„

Thus, the treatment of the navel can also be seen in terms of the treatment of our spiritual primordial scar.

 2.16 Oriental medicine

Treatment via the navel is part of the therapeutic procedere of many healers and healers. In Turkey, moving the navel is used to treat abdominal pain. There are reports from Iran about the successful treatment of diseases, including cerebral seizure disorders via the navel. The Kurdish part of Iran is also the origin of Breema, a healing practice spiritually connected with Sufism, in which the navel is of central importance as the center of the hara.

 2.17 The navel from Osho’s point of view

For Osho, the navel is the most important point in the human body. The body arises from the connection to its mother through the navel and develops from the navel.

For Osho, the soul of man is also connected neither with the mind nor with the heart, but with the navel. Through the navel we are in relationship, via invisible threads, to all the other navel centers and to many sources of energy, such as the sun, the moon, the stars and also to the divine navel center of the universe.

Osho distinguishes between relationships from the intellect, the heart and the navel. The latter are the deepest and most lasting. He sees them in true friendships. Friendship comes from the deepest center of life and is, like the sexuality assigned by Osho to the navel center, the greatest way to lead us to perfection.

The navel center develops mainly through presence in the present and fearlessness, which includes the absence of a fear of the future. Thus, many people also seek dangers and risks to get from the mind to the navel center. Besides developing courage and trust in life, Osho recommends conscious, harmonious breathing, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and the sounding of Om (Aum) for the development of the navel center. In this, he recommends sounding the A in the head, the U in the heart, and the M in the navel center.

Sat Guru, the “modern Osho” recommands in his inner engineering programm to sound the A in the navel, the O in the heart and the M between the eyes.

Only when thinking comes to rest can we be present in the navel, says Osho. The thinking or the spirit is always in motion. Our actual being, however, is the stillness of consciousness and the center of our consciousness is the navel. Osho also sees a close connection of the navel center with the kidneys. Whether he means the connection of the solar plexus and the adrenal glands with regard to the production of stress hormones, remains to be seen. In Integral Orthopaedics, this connection is applied in the flank grip.

The traditional localization of the Hara, about three transverse fingers below the navel, Osho recommends to protect against stressful energies. There lies the center for the transition to death, which is why the samurai take their lives there with the sword when committing harakiri. The strength and speed as well as the equanimity and the endurance of the samurai come from the complete presence in the Hara, which is practically synonymous with a connection to the navel center.

2.18 Navel and Hara in Breema

In Breema, the treatment of the hara as well as the connection of the hara with other body regions is one of the basic treatments. The hara encompasses the entire body, but is primarily located between the ribs and pelvis in the abdomen with its center in the navel and connections to the entire body, analogous to the fascial network. The practitioner performs each movement from his or her hara in the navel center with the help of the earth’s gravity, without any application of force of his or her own, without intention or judgment, fluidly, without haste or interruption, and with mutual support. The complete presence in every single moment, every touch or movement, in the present and in the hara, as well as the feeling of well-being in one’s own body, transfer to the practitioner and the treated as a healing moment.

As in Integral Orthopedics, touch and treatment of the hara is often associated with other regions.

Another parallel is the frequent start of a treatment via the initial points of the fascia meridians in the middle of the inner arch of the foot.

In addition, self-breema offers a variety of exercises to mobilize the flow of energy and harmonize the Hara. Breema, by definition, is only possible when the body, emotions and mind are in harmony. When the mind connects with the body in the present, consciousness, emotions and energy open to the flow of life. The ego gives way to the self. The navel center or hara becomes the center of encounter with one’s self and self of life, which manifests itself anew from moment to moment.

 19. Integral orthopedics

Integral Orthopedics recognizes a regulatory disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with a persistent state of stress (sympathetic tone) and blocked vagus nerve by a pelvic contortion with tension of the hip flexor (iliopsoas), mostly on the left side, as well as the hip abductors (adductors), mostly on the right side.

This resolves by relieving stressors such as a strained aura, troublesome scars or joints, or other stress or trauma sequelae. The close connection of the ANS with the navel is shown by the direct relaxation of the pelvis when touching the navel or a disturbing focus. If this is not the case, there is probably a higher-grade regulatory disturbance of the ANS with additional stress on the aura. The pelvis relaxes only, at least temporarily after relief of the aura. That is, a loaded aura prevents the normal functioning of our autonomic nervous system. Subsequently, touching the navel again leads to the resolution of the pelvic torsion.

The relief of the ANS is done with the navel integration. In this process, one hand lies on the abdomen and the middle finger very gently touches the navel and pushes it very gently in the soft direction, which also triggers a deep breath. The other hand lies on an area of disturbance or tension. Most important are the neck, the kidney region and initially also scars.

Through a gentle touch and shift in the soft direction, the energy accumulated in tense abdominal fasciae is presumably released, synchronized and, together with its information, directed via the other hand to regions with insufficient or inharmonious energy. The activation of the vagus can be seen in deepened breathing, increased intestinal activity and a pleasant relaxation of the whole body, especially the pelvis.

A stressed navel center and its stressed aura can hinder the body, mind and emotions due to a stressed pregnancy or childbirth, as well as later acquired and current mostly psychological stresses. Excessive stress from other people can also burden our aura as well as our fascial system. Since our auras overlap, we often live in real clouds of trauma or stress, depending on the stress of our fellow human beings.

Therefore, regular relief from excessive or dysstress is all the more important, also by spending time in nature and sports.

For longer lasting relaxation of the ANS and the Hara, all stress factors, both mechanical and emotional in the entire body and its aura must first be found and harmonized. Then, for daily relief from everyday stress, it is enough to relieve the aura by opening the arms wide in front of the abdomen and neck, and connecting the navel with the neck and flanks.

A tense navel center is also the cause of a variety of ailments and diseases via the blockage of the vagus. Most orthopedic complaints, especially chronic back pain, are additionally triggered by an asymmetrical whole body tension of the fascial system with twisting of the pelvis and spine.

A relaxed umbilical center or hara is the foundation of our self-regulation and self-healing abilities. It supports the abdominal brain wrapped in fascia in the intestinal walls and the function of the intestines as well as the other abdominal organs. Via the vagus nerve, it supports and directs the function of the heart, including its higher-level functions. Also via the vagus, it influences the lock function of the diencephalon with its amygdala with regard to the transmission of emotions to the brain. Via the vagus, it opens the brain regions responsible for creativity and intuition and is the basis for achieving higher states of consciousness. Thus, a relaxed navel center or hara is the prerequisite for a harmonious and constructive coexistence of body, mind and emotions as well as between us and our fellow human beings.

As a confirmation of the navel as the center of the hara, it can be seen that touching the Chinese or Japanese energy points located below the navel, including the traditional localization of the hara or tan tien, has no influence on the autonomic nervous system that can be detected through the pelvis.

More about the tecniques in integral ortopedics

20. connection with life from the center

Our belly or the Hara as the center of our body is suitable as a resting point for our inner gathering, as a starting point for our connection to the outside as well as to the unconscious parts of a force or presence that connects to our body in our spiritual development.

The heart is considered the center of love in most traditions. And the center of our head behind the forehead also often serves as the resting point of the spirit.

We encounter the power or presence of something greater at special moments in life with a sense of coherence or connectedness, joy, gratitude or love. Some people also encounter it at the brink of death as a near-death experience or during other borderline experiences. The anchoring of this power in our body needs from our side first a need and a longing and then the decision to follow this path with the corresponding faithfulness and determination. Life supports our search first by the desire for change, then by regular confirmations but also increasing demands.

The body rewards our increasing connection with our body center with increasing sensitivity, relaxation , concentration , stress, enjoyment and regeneration ability. Our mind gains increasing stillness, calmness, ability to concentrate and relax through its connection with the body and its centers. Our personality gains balance, efficiency, joy of life and meaning of life.

From a healthy connection with our center grows both the relationship with our self and with our environment. Whether our connection is healthy is reflected in our body as well as in our environment.

Which parts of our center are involved in the representation of our Hara or our Self, the vibrations of the navel and the associated fascial system and the matrix of the intercellular space or the nerves of our abdominal brain, the solar plexus and vagus and their connections to the brain, we can not fully grasp for a long time.

Nor does it matter as long as we continuously nurture and cultivate our connection.

It doesn’t matter if we call our center hara, navel center, or connectedness with the universe, the divine, or with God. And it doesn’t matter if we feel our center or hara more in our belly, in our chest, or in the whole body and its energetic environment.

We can touch its essence and power as pure being in our body center or as love and spaciousness in our heart. It can lead us as intuition into the essential or subtle center of our brain or connect us with the power of the earth through the base of our spine and our feet. We can perceive it with our material or subtle body and in our environment and, transcending space and time, it can also connect us with pure being.

As we become more grounded in our center, we learn to trust the wisdom of our body and of life. Our own as well as the social connection with our center is also reflected in the outside, in the coherence, harmony or dysharmony of our relationships with others, in the events of our everyday life as well as in the state of our society and its relationship to each other and to the reserves of our earth.

As we become more grounded in our center, we experience an increasing grounding in the moment, an increasingly harmonious connection to our body and the network of our life, and an increasingly reliable reservoir of power and intuition.  We learn to recognize our real needs and those of others, and to follow our need to take action for them. And we experience an increasing anchoring in stillness.  When our mind rests in our center, silence takes over. It can do this to the extent that our consciousness comes into harmony with being.

And maybe at the same time our navel sets the tone and plays the role of the conductor who helps the musician to realize himself.

22. exercises

1. cleansing of the Hara with the integral aura discharge.

Our center, and therefore our body and psyche, do not function properly when the aura of our navel center is burdened. We can recognize this by the lack of relaxation of a pelvic contortion when touching the navel. The aura cleansing of the Hara can also be applied prophylactically, so that psychological stress does not lead to a decompensation of our regulatory powers in the first place. It is recommended after any emotional or other stress. It can be done in nature or in front of your window, standing, sitting or lying down.

Spread your arms on both sides of your abdomen as far as possible and approach them very slowly to the front in the direction of a wide semicircle open to the front. Stay with your hands at the boundary where you feel some kind of compression, heaviness, a stressful change in mood, or a somewhat eerie or unpleasant feeling.

Stay in this position and observe the reaction of their body and feelings. Usually they can feel a relaxation and relief. Often you can also feel what unprocessed emotions are releasing.

During the initial releases, old emotional and traumatic stresses are often released. These can also form a very large stress cloud. If you do not properly perceive the boundary of your stress cloud or its release, it may be larger than your arm’s reach. If you have a partner, she or he may point the flat of their hand at their hara from a very long distance. As long as you find this uncomfortable, the distance is still too small. Exactly at the border between being pushed away and being pulled in, your partner opens his or her hand diagonally, allowing the pressure to flow away. In our seminars there are always about two participants who have a trauma field of about 20 meters in size. And always all participants feel exactly the border of the field and the kind of emotions that are released. Without a partner, you can try to imagine their arms so long that they no longer put any uncomfortable pressure on them when they approach their belly from the front. From exactly this distance, you then open their arms in their imagination.

2. strengthening the hara with navel integration

Lie down or sit down comfortably.

Place one hand on her belly and gently and very lightly guide her navel in the comfortable and soft direction with one finger. Your other hand lies for a while first over her right and then left kidney. Imagine the energetic field of the fascial network between your hands. Observe how the relaxation of the navel affects her breathing and the tone of her muscles via a direct activation of the vagus. You can consciously accompany the relaxation. To do this, go to the space of her abdomen and follow the warmth and relaxation from her kidneys to the space of her pelvis and then first to her right leg and after changing hands to her left leg.

While her right hand continues to relax her navel, you can then place her left hand on her neck with the forearm and heel of the hand on her heart. Notice the warmth and relaxation in her left arm and chest. After a while you can exchange hands and go to the space of her right side.

3. grounding the hara

Feel the contact of her body with her support. Feel the weight of your body as the force with which the earth pulls it towards you. Imagine a deeper and deeper living connection of your hara to the earth through your feet, your tailbone or your whole body when lying down. Leave your body to the attraction of the earth with all that it no longer needs, including burdensome emotions and thoughts. Do this exercise again and again in direct contact, i.e. barefoot on the earth (as so-called earthing). The water element also has a particularly cleansing and grounding effect, for example as a shower after work or bathing in nature.

4. connection of the hara with our environment

This exercise wants to give a picture of our unconscious connections to our environment and to our past.

If you would like to use your hands, you can, for example, form a funnel in front of your belly with your hands open to the front, or form a triangle on your belly with your thumbs touching above your navel.

If you want to work with the idea of light, you can imagine a wide beam of light shining through the funnel or triangle of your hands and/or from above the crown of your head through your heart into the center of your belly when you inhale. On the exhale, you can also imagine delicate connections moving outward from your navel.

So you can imagine a connection through your belly button to the people, animals, or things you have an emotional connection to or miss. Observe this emotional web of your life without judging it.

At the level of the belly button or hara, the vital parts of our being that we share with all living beings may meet with the individual, ego-occupied parts of our personality. On the physical-material level, we are made up of the same elements and we follow the same rules of nature. We are practically the same life in different forms.

How pronounced do you feel the connectedness between the inhabitants of your network ? To what extent can you see yourself in the living beings and other parts of your network ? To what extent does the emotional flow in your life network change when you consciously perceive it ?

You can also trace this network into the past. Which events or people from your past may play a significant role in your present ?

Which of your ancestors may play a significant role in their present ? If possible, look with understanding at the lives of these people with their own destiny and, if necessary, also with psychotherapeutic help, detach yourself from your entanglements.

Which burdens and confusions, but also which tasks and goals come to your mind when you visualize the web of their life?

Which of these tasks and motives have you perhaps unconsciously taken over from your parents or other ancestors, from your social environment or the media ?

Which of them are you ready to let go of and which are your actual goals and tasks ?

Then go again with your attention over your hands to your belly. Which tasks and motives feel good and coherent in your belly and also in the rest of your body ?

Visualize again the connection of your body to the earth, as well as perhaps also to the people, animals and things that play an essential role in your life.

Observe the flow of your breath in your whole body and let your thoughts and feelings come to rest in your belly.

Übersetzt mit DeepL (https://www.deepl.com/app/?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=share-translation