3. Manipura Chakra

The solar plexus chakra, Manipura, the ‘jewel city’ is associated with emotions, confidence, will power, decisions, personal opinions, purpose. This chakra governs the emotional body and it is your power and transformation centre.

Location

It is the third chakra located between the navel and the diaphragm.

Element

Its element is fire and the corresponding endocrine gland is the pancreas.

Colour

Its colour is yellow and its mantra is RAM.

Unbalanced solar plexus chakra

An unbalanced Manipura can result in:

• Need for external validation

• Lack of self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem

• Lethargy, passivity, inactivity, depression

• Sluggishness in digestion and/or binge eating

• Dogmatic conformity

• Overconfidence

Balanced solar plexus chakra

A balanced Manipura will result in:

• a clear sense of direction

• determination, will power, taking action

• great self-belief and self-esteem

• feeling confident in yourself and your abilities

• a considerable amount of physical and mental energy (dynamic but not overactive)

• choices and decisions made are in alignment with your essence

Affirmations to balance this chakra could be

• I am empowered/ strong/ powerful/ courageous/ confident

• I am worthy of success/ happiness/ love…

• I take responsibility for my actions, choices, thoughts, emotions and feelings

• I allow myself to shine – I am more than enough

• I assert my boundaries – It’s ok for me to say ‘no’

• I trust and believe in myself- I can do it

• I have the power to manifest my dreams

Essential oils to balance the solar plexus

Chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, rosemary to soothe the solar plexus.

Ginger, cinnamon, lemon, clove, black pepper to open this chakra.

Meditation for your solar plexus chakra

Light a candle and some incense for this fire meditation. Weather permitting, you could also meditate in the sun, as fire is the element of this chakra.

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with your spine straight, or lie down in Savasana, Corpse Pose.

Take a few deep breaths through the nose to center yourself and to start calming the mind.

Bring your awareness to the present moment and to the rising and falling of your breath in the abdominal region.

Imagine a little flame or a small ball of fire in your solar plexus. Visualise it grow a little more with each inhale. Watch it expand and radiate its warm energy and glow outwards, as you keep breathing deeply and steadily.

Feel the warmth in the solar plexus area and observe it spread throughout your entire being.

Enjoy this positive, warm, strong, wise and confident radiance as it emanates from your power centre to every single cell in your body. Bathe yourself in this cosmic and nourishing energy for as long as you need to support your growth, self-acceptance, confidence, power and transformation.

After the meditation, inhale lift the arms above head, interlace the fingers, release the index fingers and stretch up towards the sky. Exhale sweep the arms down with a loud sound ‘Aaaahhhh’. Repeat 3 times. Close your eyes and notice what has been stirred or release.

Journaling prompts to support your Manipura

• What are my favourite things/qualities/traits about myself?

• Am I in control of my personal power? What can I do to increase my personal power?

• When was the time I felt most courageous in my life?

• What scares me the most? Why does it scare me? How can I overcome this fear?

• Do my intentions and choices make me feel confident and empowered?

• What new things, poses, languages, skills can I learn?

• I feel most confident when….