Manipura Chakra
In Sanskrit, Manipura means “city of jewels” and Chakra means “wheel” or "vortex of Prana" meaning "life force energy."
The Solar Plexus Chakra as it it also referred to as is the third energy center, located at the diaphragm. Because of the intensity of Prana in the Solar Plexus Chakra, this energy center is often compared to the brilliant power of the Sun, which radiates life giving energy to Earth.
Like the Sun, this Chakra radiates Prana throughout the entire human makeup which gives us vitality and life.
This energy center is also known to play a fundamental role in the development of personal power, feeds one’s direction in life and the actions taken in order to reach your goals, influences preoccupations about social status and self image as well as having a connection with the Sun, heat, the energy of light, all forms of power.
This Chakra also controls our balance of Prana, attracts Prana from the cosmos, strengthens and consolidates our health all while governing metabolism and the digestive system.
Essential Information
Practices for the Solar Plexus Chakra
The following practices are intended to clear and balance Manipura. You are encouraged to use these practices individually or combine them together with other practices for a more effective practice. As you go about your day, you can also bring your awareness to this Chakra. This practice is sometimes referred to as Manipura Yoga.
The Bija Mantra or seed Mantra for the Chakra is RAM. Chanting this Mantra during practices and while in a walking state will help to clear and balance this Chakra. While chanting this Bija Mantra, visualize the color yellow at this Chakra.
The Root Chakra is the first energy center, is where Kundalini energy resides, associated with our survival instincts, basic needs, security, shelter, food and our fight or flight response.
The Sacral Chakra is the second energy center, associated with our emotions and allows us to feel and experience the world around and within us.
The Heart Chakra is the fourth energy center, associated with the immune system, compassion, unconditional love, tenderness, balance and equilibrium.
The Throat Chakra is the fifth energy center, associated with speech, communication, the voice of the heart, discrimination, acceptance, forgiveness and growth through expression.
The Third eye Chakra is the sixth energy center, associated with the archetypal dimensions as well as the realm of spirits while being an instrument to perceive the more subtle qualities of reality, the seat of intuitive sensibility and inner perception.
The Crown Chakra is the seventh energy center, associated with inner wisdom, end of physical attachments, release of all Karma, of illusions as well as the Guru within.