The solar plexus or manipura chakra, located three fingers above your navel is one of the most important of your seven major chakras. “It rules our emotions, intelligence and willpower, and because our feelings keep fluctuating on a daily basis, it is very difficult to keep this chakra balanced,” says Dr Madhu Kotiya Sheziam, spiritual healer and founder, MSheziam Institute of Tarot and Divination, who has a PhD in clinical hypnotherapy. She explains that most of our problems begin at the solar plexus. When it is unbalanced it can throw off other chakras. Signs of imbalance include low self-esteem, indecisiveness, or, on the contrary, anger and controlling behaviour. “You may feel numb, like crying, or won't feel like doing anything if this third chakra is imbalanced,” says Sheziam. However, if this chakra is balanced, you will be confident, powerful, and have a sense of purpose.
This chakra rules the gall bladder, pancreas, diaphragm, food and wind pipes. “Therefore, acid reflux, breathlessness and problems with the gall bladder and pancreas are all related to an imbalanced solar plexus.” So, to keep it balanced, you need to have healthy eating habits among other things.
How to balance your solar plexus The location: Three fingers above your navel The colour: Yellow The symbol: 10-petalled lotus with a downward pointing triangle in between The affirmation:"I am empowered" The sound: Ram The mudra: Press the tips of the thumb, index and ring fingers together with the little and middle fingers pointing outwards.
Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position, or on a chair with your spine straight and feet on the floor. Then, imagine a bright yellow colour filling up your abdomen with each inhale. Exhale feelings of worthlessness and anger, and inhale, filling yourself with courage and confidence. If you want to take it a step further, imagine the yellow 10-petalled lotus becoming bigger every time you inhale. Make your meditation even stronger by keeping your fingers in the rudra mudra (mentioned above). Each chakra has a sound, and the sound for the solar plexus is ‘ram'. Repeat it mentally focussing on your navel. You can do this during meditation or even at work when you take a break. You can also repeat the above affirmation (I am empowered) while driving to work. Sheziam also suggests a grounding meditation to drain out negativity. You can either keep your feet soaked in sea-salt water, or place your feet on the grass and imagine roots growing out to ground yourself. Make sure that you're eating healthy, balanced meals to keep your digestive fire balanced. Don't drink ice cold water and never overeat if you want to keep your manipura chakra in balance. Sitting in the vajrasana (on your heels) after meals helps balance the solar plexus and your digestion. The stone for this third chakra is the citrine. Sheziam suggest keeping it on the navel and meditating. She also suggests wearing a long mala (that touches the navel) with these stones, or keeping citrine in a glass of water for 12 hours before drinking it. Drink the activated water only for 15 days every couple of months.
This story is part three of our 7-part Chakra Balancing series (check out part two here). Keep an eye out nextweekfor part four.
Vasudha Rai is a certified yoga teacher and has been writing on beauty, health and wellness for 15 years. Find her atVbeauty.co
