Manipura Chakra – The Energy Powerhouse

If you are experiencing digestive issue, low self esteem, misplaced aggression, sense of being out of control then most likely there is imbalance in your Manipura Chakra.  This is the third chakra in our system. It is also called as the Solar Plexus Chakra and is located between the naval and lower part of the chest. The Sanskrit name for this Chakra is Manipura. Chakras are energies centers through which the energies flow in specific pathways.

The chakras starting from the heart chakra and below are associated with one of the five elements.  The Manipura chakra is associated with Fire and therefore it is also known as the Fire or Sun Centre. Manipura Chakra is represented as a lotus with ten petals. These represent the ten Pranas, the vital forces, which control and nourish all functions of the human body. Keeping this chakra in balance is vital to health and for being successful in the world.

The Manipura Chakra is closely associated with our psyche. Fogginess in the head and not being able to think clearly indicate disturbance in this chakra. An imbalance here also causes fear which can take on different forms – fear of failure, fear of death, fear of not accomplishing a goal etc.  Psychic problems like nervousness, fear and anxiety lead to digestive problems.

Blockages in this chakra dissipates our energy which also causes physical problems. Health issues such as diabetes, skin diseases, cardio-vascular diseases, gout, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, many types of migraines, allergies etc can trace their origin back to a lack of energy within the Manipūra Chakra and a badly functioning digestive system.

When the energy of this Chakra flows freely, the effect is like that of a power station, constantly supplying vitality – bestowing balance and strength. Just like how the Sun is a constant source of power and energy that fuels life on earth, so also the Manipura chakra is a energy powerhouse.  It is no wonder that it is linked with energies of the Sun.

Realized yogis and thought leaders who work for the betterment of humanity operate with a certain power in this world.  This is because the Manipura chakra is in full flow.  A balanced Manipura chakra bestows qualities of clarity, self-confidence, bliss, self-assurance, knowledge, wisdom and the ability to make correct decisions.

The good news is that we all have this chakra and its qualities are fully available to us.  If we pay enough attention to what is happening within us in the area of health, interaction with others, how we perceive  ourselves in relationship to the outside, we can get a pretty good sense of whether there are imbalances in the Manipura chakra.

However, focusing on balancing the Manipura chakra alone will not help. The imbalances could be in the Mooladhara which can percolate to the Sacral chakra above it  and so on to the higher chakras.  So the idea should always be to start by balancing the root chakra first.  By balancing the Mooladhara or the root chakra the other chakras also harmonize as a consequence. Hatha yoga is a wonderful practice to bring balance and stability to the chakras.  With regular practice one can bring stability/balance to all the chakas including the Manipura chakra.

Once such practice that is beneficial to the Manipura or Solar Plexus chakra is the Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar.  The sun is a ball of fire and the element of Manipura chakra is also fire.  The Surya Namaskar is a practice to ignite the fire within, which can not only remove the blockages in the Manipura chakra, but also bring stability and balance to the entire system.  Doing 12 cycles of Surya Namaskar (one is cycle is inclusive of both the right and left side steps) can strengthen and stabilize the entire system.

Another simple way to harmonize this chakra is to utter the sound RAM.  RAM is the sound of the Manipura.  This is the sound of the vibration caused by the meeting of the energies or nadi’s in this energy center.  While uttering this sound, focus on the “R” sound and consciously allow this sound to vibrate.  Doing this creates a pleasant and warm feeling in the naval the home of the Manipura Chakra.

Follow this video to ignite the inner warmth with the sounds of RAM