I’ve always loved the chakra system. At first, I was a bit skeptical. But, after delving deeper, it all made sense.
The chakras are very much an integral part of modern day yoga. Most chakra experts say there are seven of them, all of which line up along the central axis of the subtle body, known in yoga as the sushumna nadi.
They are often described as living, breathing energy centers. Each chakra is also believed to be linked to a particular cosmic vibration. They directly impact all levels of well-being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The chakra system is yet another form of holistic healing that can harmoniously accompany our yoga practice.
In this piece, we’re going to explore manipura chakra, also called the solar plexus chakra. We’ll learn its inner workings, and how to balance it, if need be.
What is the Manipura Chakra?
The manipura (solar plexus) chakra is said to reside within the subtle body just above the navel and below the rib cage. It’s associated with our ego, self-worth, self-esteem, self-motivation, and internal powers of manifestation.
You can think of this particular chakra as the seat of your personal power.
It’s the place we go to for motivation to fulfill life goals. It’s also the place we turn to when we need to stand up for ourselves and demand respect. We call upon this chakra’s inner workings when we want to garner self-discipline and follow through.
Symptoms of Manipura Imbalance
When the chakras are out of whack, there are physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual symptoms that manifest.
The kidneys, pancreas, liver, adrenals, gallbladder, intestines, and eyes correlate to the manipura chakra. As such, physical ailments like vision issues, stomach ulcers, weight problems, and kidney infections are physical symptoms that may arise when the manipura chakra is off and in need of attention.
On a mental and emotional level, we experience self-doubt, lack of confidence, lethargy, and an inability to follow through when this chakra is out of balance. These are symptoms of a solar plexus deficiency.
However, we can also have an overactive manipura, which leads to other problems. For example, if you have an excessive solar plexus chakra, chances are, you are overly judgmental, critical, demanding, and harsh with others. You may express anger and aggression, two powerful emotions that can wreak havoc on your entire system.
This is why we must learn how to balance manipura chakra before things get out of hand.
How to Realign Manipura Chakra
There are a million ways under the sun when it comes to healing manipura chakra. Take your pick from the following and see what resonates with you!
Color Therapy
The chakras are intricately linked to specific colors. For example, the color that represents manipura chakra is yellow. Because colors hold unique vibrations, it’s said that wearing a chakra’s corresponding color can help balance that chakra.
Manipura chakra’s color is yellow. So, wear yellow clothing when you can or surround yourself with yellow flowers. You might also want to integrate yellow crystals, gems and stones into your healing ritual. You can wear them, place them on your body during meditation, or simply carry them with you throughout your day.
And why not eat yellow fruits and veggies? Many of these foods contain lutein, which supports eye health. Squash, lemons, yellow bell peppers should be eaten often.
Sound: Mantra and Affirmations
Reciting mantras and affirmations are powerful mind tools. So is listening to various sound vibrations. If you’re deficient in your manipura chakra, recite the following:
“I am worthy. I am confident. I am capable of manifesting the destiny I desire.”
The bija (seed) mantra for your manipura is Ram. Chant Ram 108 times daily with a pair of mala beads to begin the healing process. Keep this up for 40 days and note changes that arise.
Sunbathe
Did you know that your manipura chakra finds its cosmic association with the sun? It’s true! It holds the element of fire, and when you sunbathe, you’ll help balance your solar plexus chakra.
Notice how centered, relaxed, and confident you feel after a nice long soak in the sun. Note: the sun is yellow, too—perfect!
Asana and Pranayama
As you might know, there are corresponding yoga poses that balance each chakra. Yoga postures that help realign the solar plexus are:
Meditation for Manipura
Because your solar plexus is the seat of transformation, you might want to sit and meditate on this inner fire. Visualize a fire inside your center. Now, put all the things you’ve been carrying on your shoulders into the fire and let them burn until you feel lighter and can move forward.
Onwards and upwards is where you’ll go when you consciously realign your solar plexus chakra!
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.