Understanding Dopamine and Its Importance
Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter — a good hormone — released by your brain when you experience a sense of achievement. It is directly responsible for your motivation, energy levels, and ability to function in daily life.
But in today’s world, a lack of dopamine has become widespread. This deficiency often shows up in people who are ageing and no longer feel a daily sense of accomplishment. It is also common in those facing mental health challenges or neurological issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. In such cases, a natural, consistent release of dopamine becomes essential for healing and regaining a normal, healthy way of living.
If you are struggling with energy, mood, focus, or any form of mental fog or disinterest in life, it could be a sign that your dopamine levels are depleted. And unless this is addressed, no amount of mental or emotional effort will feel sustainable.
The Role of Natural Dopamine in Healing
Your body has its own mechanism to release dopamine, but modern lifestyles rarely engage it in meaningful ways. You do not need artificial stimulants to feel alive — what you need is a daily ritual that gives your brain a clear signal of achievement.
When your brain feels you’ve done something difficult — something that pushes your limits — it releases dopamine as a reward. This chemical release doesn’t just feel good. It actually begins to heal you.
So how can you trigger this healing, dopamine-rich state naturally?
The Plank: A Natural Dopamine Trigger
There is a simple yet powerful technique that you can begin using from today. It’s called the plank pose, and it activates your core region, which is directly linked to your sense of self-worth and willpower — your solar plexus.
Planking is not just physical exercise. It is a spiritual tool to awaken your energy, activate your dormant strength, and send a powerful message to your brain: I did it.
As you perform the plank daily, your body will gradually begin to rebalance hormones — especially testosterone in males and estrogen in females — and your brain will start to release dopamine naturally.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Practice Plank
This practice can be done by anyone, but you must begin based on your current capacity. If you’ve been in a low-energy or low-dopamine state for a long time, your endurance might be minimal — and that is absolutely okay. Start where you are and build from there. The results come with consistency.
- Preparation
- Lie down on the floor or on a yoga mat.
- Bring your arms forward and bend your elbows to form a 90-degree angle. Your forearms should rest flat on the floor.
- Ensure your toes are tucked and legs are extended behind you.
- Execution
- Lift your entire body off the floor, balancing on your forearms and toes.
- Engage your core. Your back should be straight, not arched or sagging.
- Close your eyes, stay steady, and feel your body doing the work.
- Begin by holding this position for 30 seconds.
- Duration and Progression
- Gradually increase the duration to one minute or more over a span of 100 days.
- Each time you complete a session, observe the shift in energy within. You’ll feel a wave of lightness, clarity, and inner pride — this is your dopamine reward.
- After the Plank: Counter Pose
- Gently lower your body and rest in a prone position.
- Follow up with a counter pose such as the Child’s Pose (Balasana):
- Sit back on your heels.
- Bring your forehead to the ground.
- Stretch your arms forward or rest them beside your body.
- Breathe deeply and remain here for ten minutes to relax and integrate the energy shift.
Final Guidance
Practice this daily — not as a workout, but as a ritual of self-respect. Over time, not only will your core become stronger, but your confidence and energy levels will rise. Dopamine will be released naturally, giving you that long-lost feeling of aliveness and capability.
If you wish to go deeper, especially into the energetic connection between the core and your solar plexus chakra, you can read or watch my detailed teachings on strengthening the solar plexus. That teaching will enrich your understanding of this dopamine-healing technique.
Have a powerful day. May your practice be filled with clarity, energy, and natural joy.
