Chakra: Manipura
Element: Fire
Location: Solar Plexus
Color: Yellow
About: Power, will
Goals: Vitality, strength, will, confidence
Demon: Shame
Practices: Strengthening the will through discipline, strengthening the core, balancing will and surrender
Mantra: Ram
What is the Manipura chakra?
The Manipura, or Solar Plexus Chakra, is the third chakra and is located between the belly button and the bottom of the rib cage. It is symbolised by a triangle within a 10 - petal lotus. Manipura is the third layer of our identity and is centred on our will and actions.
This chakra relates to personal power, self-esteem and energy, and is also related to the metabolic and digestive systems. Manipura is a reminder that all things are connected, because all our behaviour is shaped by our grounding and our desires, which are the focus of the first two chakras.
I am confident, I have a purpose, I am capable, I do.
How does Manipura chakra affect a person?
Manipura forms between the ages of 18 months and four years, the point at which a toddler begins to assert their will and desire for independence. The way a toddler relates to authority figures has an impact on their developing ego.
If a healthy third chakra blazes brightly, a weakened one is associated with our feeling of shame. In this case, we may view all our actions critically, our internal voice belittling everything we do as shameful.
Manipura chakra enables our right to act. This capability can be impaired through fear of punishment and the enforcement of blind obedience. We are then afraid to do things and to act freely.
A person with excessive Manipura is driver by the desire for power and self-control. They favour strict routines and struggle when their labours appear unproductive. For all their willpower and efforts, they often lack a clear understanding of their innate purpose.
A person with deficient Manipura lacks drive and vitality. Unable to take responsibility for their actions, they commonly adopt a victim mentality, shifting blame to other people.
Rather that focusing on external demands on our energy, we should channer our vitality to accomplish things that truly satisfy us.
How to strengthen the Manipura chakra?
A healthy balance in the Manipura Chakra would be visible in the form of motivation, purpose and confidence. To balance this chakra, we must be brave and get out of our comfort zone.
For both excessive and deficient types, restoring a lasting internal flame requires giving up what we feel and know is safe, breaking boundaries and taking risks as individuals. We must instead ignore external demands of our energy and find ways to fuel ourselves to accomplish things that are personally satisfying. This is as basic as eating right and exercising to initiate heat, but also simply doing nothing when there is too much rigidly exerted energy.
In yoga, poses like mountain pose or bow pose can help assert the presence of the abdomen, and feel its strength and support. Breathing exercises also applies for this chakra – whenever we inhale and exhale, the belly moves, too, reminding us of the natural balance within our bodies. Refreshing oxygen enters these regions of movement and action.
Which Chakra is for you?
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