When was the last time you felt centered and passionate about day to day living? From a subtle twinge, to the strongest sensation, when your energy is imbalanced, you don’t feel quite right. Physical manifestations vary… Low energy may mean you require extra sleep and can’t seem to become motivated. Or too much energy might make it difficult to stop moving, and unable to relax. It could be something as simple as a vague lackluster feeling. Depending on who you ask, “inner fire,” can be defined multiple ways. It may be thought of as a certain passion or driving force. It could be a sexual fire… Yogis speak of the “energetic body,” which is one of the five Yogic bodies or Koshas; like layers, or threads woven together, each comprises the tapestry of your being. However it’s defined, this mysterious ember blazes from within, and involves channeling energy. 

Mental Fire

From a yogic perspective, Larry Mangel, NAMA Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and founder of Shanti Yoga and Ayurveda, talks about “the fire of the mind, or mental fire,” as written in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Larry says, “tapas or fire, can also be explained by the friction generated by going against the grain of habit, of complacency, of doing what’s easiest, of getting away with things. “Tapas is the subtle form of Agni (our inner power of rejuvenation).” So powerful is tapas, that according to Larry, “It can change the chemistry of the brain.” In this case, the “fire” could be viewed as “striving to be the best you can, which may mean shifting what you do and how you do it,” says Larry.

Here are some yoga asanas you might want to try from the Chopra Center aimed at strengthening inner fire. 

Ayurveda & Fire

The concept of the gut being your “second brain,” directly aligns with Ayurveda’s philosophy. According to Larry, “our inner fire is our digestive fire, and represents the metabolic power of transformation in the physical body. It converts our food to compounds that nourish our tissues. It is responsible for digesting food in the stomach and small intestine, one of the main sources of heat in the body.”

“Inner fire is where Yoga and Ayurveda merge,” Larry explains. And since what and how you eat directly influences your fire, choosing the right foods for your individual body type requires a delicate balance. Larry says, “Different tastes work to increase or decrease the digestive fire.”

Generate Heat

So... if you’re looking to increase fire, what should you eat? Larry says, seek out, “pungent, sour and salty tastes as they will increase fire, helping to promote appetite and burn toxins.” Also consider adding, “warm digestive spices like ginger and trikatu (a blend),” to your diet, as Larry suggests. 

Be conscious of some root causes that may lead to depletion of energy. Larry says these include, “Stress, wrong diet, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, obviously a lack of sleep.”

When it comes to keeping the flame ignited, quick fixes doesn’t work. Consistency is key. Larry says, “Daily practice will always be better for increasing inner fire by either diet and or yoga asana practice concentrating on the solar plexus (manipura chakra).” 

A heat generating Yoga practice with 3-5 Sun Salutations is energizing, and helps spark those flames. Another of Larry’s favorite ways to increase fire is the breathing practice of, “Kapalabhati.” Check out instructions on Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) from the Chopra Center.

So listen to your body and increase fire when needed. Larry believes, “Many diseases can be improved by increasing our digestive fire. When our digestive fire is low it allows for the production of a substance called Ama, the toxic by-product of indigestion.” The downside of fire is, the flames can get out of control. When it’s too strong, Larry says, it can create “problems like heartburn, acid reflux, and an insatiable appetite.”

Calm the Flames

Too fiery? Seek to naturally soothe the flames… Larry says, “If you are an intense, fiery person, the heat generated by a fiery practice like Ashtanga vinyasa may not truly be tapas for you; tapas for you might involve putting the breaks on compulsive, aggressive practice.” 

Instead of increasing what you already possess, seek balance. For instance, if you’re a naturally hot person, Larry says, consider, “a slow, cooling grounding yoga practice. Eat sweet, bitter and astringent foods. Also, alternate nostril breathing and meditation.” And since colors have a powerful influence on mind body health, how you dress matters too. So instead of hot colors, opt for cooler shades. 

Lastly, try expanding your self-awareness by observing your energy levels throughout the day: in a notebook, list columns for morning, afternoon, and night. Record what you’ve eaten, activities you’ve done, and how you feel energy-wise. Chart a month if possible. Notice any connections between your diet and energetic levels, and adjust accordingly. As for mental fire, observe and document your concentration levels. See which times of day you possess more clarity verses when you’re distracted and have difficulty concentrating. Set aside time to read inspiring literature daily, and listen to music that fills you with joy. Be mindful of emotionally draining activities; if watching the news or spending long periods of time online leaves you feeling depleted, alter your habits. Once you become conscious of your inner fire, it will be easier to identify what you require to keep the flame fully nourished and burning bright.