MANIPURA - SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA
Element: Fire (sun)
Sensation: Sight
Color: Yellow/Gold
Location: Navel
Organs: Digestion, pancreas, kidney, adrenal
Mantra: Ram
Manipura is the 3rd of the 7 chakras of the body. Manipura means 'city of jewels" in Sanskrit. The Solar plexus chakra is located behind the navel and is most closely connected with personality, ego, and identity. It is the seat of self and the energy powerhouse of the body.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is the source of intuition. You've heard phrases like 'listen to you gut', 'follow your gut' or 'gut instinct', all these phrases refer to the wisdom stored in the Solar Plexus.
Manipura gives us a sense of purpose, a forward-driven motivation. It allows us to feel secure in our self, find confidence without arrogance, and tackle problems without succumbing to anxiety and stress. It is where we manifest all our dreams.
When Manipura is off-balance, it can cause physical ailments like fatigue, excessive tiredness, and digestion disorders. Manipura has a direct impact on the adrenal glands which regulate hormones involved in converting food into energy. Gut health and what you feed your body will have a large role in the health and functioning of this energy center, so its important to fuel your system with healthy nutrient-dense foods.
The gut connects directly to the brain, the gut tells the brain what it should feel. In fact, 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for well-being and happiness, is produced in the gut. So when Manipura or our gut biome is off-balance, we can feel depressed, anxious, have a hard time making decisions, have a poor self-image, and lack appreciation for ourselves.
With the color yellow representing the sun and fire, this chakra invites us to ignite the fire inside, connect with our true self and radiate authenticity.
When our Solar Plexus Chakra is out of balance we experience things like:
victim mentality
irresponsibility
inauthenticity
digestion / gut issues
ulcers, acid reflux
feeling stagnant
powerlessness/anger
When in balance we experience:
Motivation and energy
Strength
Healthy self-image
Responsibility
Authenticity of self
Appreciation of self-worth
How to balance your Solar Plexus Chakra:
There are a number of ways that you can work to bring balance to Manipura.
Healing Stones: citrine, tigers eye, yellow tourmaline
Essential oils: cedarwood, chamomile, bergamot, rosemary
You can use affirmations:
I am powerful
I am strong and capable
I am enough
I am confident
The best way to find balance in the Solar Plexus Chakra is through movement and action.
Some of the best Yoga poses for activating Manipura:
Plank
Warrior II
Downward Facing Dog
Navasana - Boat Pose
Dhanurasana - Bow pose
Other action-oriented ways of grounding and bringing balance to Manipura:
Candle Meditation
Breathwork
Exercise
Our bodies are made up of 7 powerful energy centers called Chakras. The chakra system starts at the base of our spine and moves up toward the crown of our head. In Sanskrit, chakra means ‘wheel’ or ‘disc’. The spiraling vortex of energy in each chakra center corresponds to different organs, functions of the body, or emotions. When our chakras are ‘open’ the energy can move freely but if an energy system is disrupted, it becomes ‘blocked’ and we suffer disease. The energy of your chakras influences your mindset, behavior, and wellbeing. You can help bring the energy of these powerful meridians into alignment through practical action.