Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)
The Solar Plexus chakra or Manipura chakra is the third chakra, which is located in the hollow of the ribs. And, it includes both the back and front Solar Plexus chakra. The chakra is denoted by 10 petals, and is said to contain red, yellow, blue, as well as green pranas. A little orange prana is also located in this chakra. The chakra is the centre of the fire element, to be precise. It brings a lot of warmth and light to any being, who has a strong Manipura chakra. The Samana vayu or prana is located at this position. Your intellect and will-power are both governed by this chakra. You can learn more in detail about this chakra, as a part of the kundalini yoga teacher training in rishikesh.
When this chakra is balanced and performing at its optimum level, you will be open about things. Moreover, you will take challenges head on. The incumbent with a strong Manipura chakra has a lot of self-confidence as well. The person, also has a clear sense of purpose in life too. The ability to make decisions also comes naturally to such people. If you have a strong Manipura chakra, you will have complete control over your emotions, too. If you want to master the knowledge about this chakra, you should head to do yoga in rishikesh. It is one of the best places in the world, to gain your yoga knowledge from.
Characteristics Of The Solar Plexus Chakra
Before, you delve into the implications of balances and imbalances of the Manipura chakra, it is essential, that you know a bit about its characteristics.
⦁ The Solar Plexus Chakra is yellow in colour. The chakras, as you may already know, get their colours from the element that governs them. As this chakra has an inherent connection with the sun and fire element, the colour happens to be yellow. You will be amazed to know, that the colour yellow represents re-birth and new beginnings.
⦁ The element that governs the Solar Plexus is Agni or the Fire element. Fire activates the Samana prana. It also affects your digestive abilities and metabolism. The element fire also helps in igniting consciousness. This consciousness is responsible for driving each one of us towards the goals in life. If you do not have this element, or if there are imbalances in your Solar Plexus, you may be fearful and inert.
⦁ The Manipura chakra also governs emotions. The various emotions, that are born as a result of the chakra are excitement, happiness, depression, as well as anger. You will also experience intellect, assertiveness, self-confidence, and will. It basically depends, on whether the chakra is blocked or unblocked. The positive side and the negative side of the above traits, show themselves up, in such cases.
Solar Plexus Chakra Imbalance Signs & Symptoms
If the chakra is not balanced, there could be problems. A shortage of the desired element and Samana prana, can make the element move too fast, which in this case is Fire. If it over-accumulates, then also imbalance occurs. Both the above cause imbalance in the energy system. When the Manipura chakra is blocked, it can manifest itself in the form of various physical as well as sentimental issues. The chakra being located in the upper abdomen, it causes issues with the digestive system mostly.
You should know about the physical symptoms of the blockage first.
If the Manipura chakra is blocked, it mainly causes indigestion and flatulence.
⦁ You may also suffer from serious diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and disease. The latter can be quite painful, and can affect the quality of your life.
⦁ You may also suffer from eating disorders, like Anorexia and Bulimia.
⦁ You may also put on excess weight, and become obese. Furthermore, you may have a hard time, losing all the weight.
⦁ You can also fall victim to Diabetes, Type 1 or 2. Once this happens, life can be very miserable. You may also develop cardiac issues, kidney issues and liver issues. The reason being, that blood sugar can destroy other organs.
⦁ Your pancreas and colon, may also be affected.
⦁ You will also likely suffer from acidity and heart burn.
⦁ Some of you may also have bleeding gums and teeth.
Imbalance in the Solar Plexus or Manipura chakra may also cause emotional problems in your life.
⦁ You may get angry fast and without any provocation, as a result of imbalances in the Manipura chakra.
⦁ You may suffer from low self-confidence.
⦁ There will be a constant need for others approval.
⦁ Insecurity and low self-esteem can also be prevalent.
⦁ You will or likely may lack direction in life.
⦁ You may fall prey to others conspiracies, as you want to satiate all.
Ways To Unblock The Solar Plexus or Manipura Chakra
If you want to unblock blockages in the Manipura chakra or Solar Plexus, there are a few things that you can do.
⦁ Paschimottasana – This is a very easy asana, which anyone can do. You can also learn and master this asana, under a teacher in the 200 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh. You have to sit straight, in Dandasana or staff pose. The hands rest on your thighs, all this while. While you inhale the fresh air, you have to take your hands straight in front of you. Then slowly raise them above the head. In the next instance, while exhaling, you have to bend your torso from the hips, and bring the raised hands in contact with your feet. You can either hold on to the toes or the feet, as per your comfort levels. Your back should be straight, and not hunched.
You can hold this position, while breathing normally. While inhaling, move up, and keep the torso in upright position. The arms will be straight ahead of you. However, as you relax, you have got to bring them in the first position, on your thighs. You can start with three sessions of this asana. This is one of the best asanas, which stimulates the Manipura chakra or Solar Plexus to function at optimum levels. It also increases blood supply to the back.
⦁ Trikonasana – This is the second asana, which can help you to activate or stimulate the Solar Plexus chakra. It is basically a standing asana, which most of you will be able to do. Some stretching is advisable, beforehand. While exhaling, you have to bend the torso to the right side. The right hand also goes down towards the ankle, in straight position. The legs will remain straight. The left hand goes up, towards the sky. You can focus on the left hand, for the time, that you are holding the asana.
Thereafter, you have to come up while inhaling. In the same manner, you can practice the asana on the other side. After you finish each round, you must breathe normally. There are other variations of this asana. You will be able to unblock the Manipura chakra, by practicing this asana on a regular basis. It increases the flexibility of the spine, and also stretches the muscles on either side of the body. If you want to master such asanas, with proper alignments, you should do the kundalini yoga teacher training in rishikesh.
⦁ Ardha Matsyendrasana – It is another Manipura chakra unblocker. This is one of the best asanas, to promote the flexibility of the spinal cord and the hips. You can do this asana under the guidance of the best yoga teachers at the best yoga school in rishikesh. You need to sit with both the legs stretched forward. Then, change position by placing the left foot on the ground, almost flat. It should be on the outer side of the right knee. Bend the right leg, and lay the heel beside the left buttock.
The back will be straight at this stage. Bring the right arm from the external point on the left knee, and grasp the left ankle. Your torso should turn as much as possible to the left side. Place the left arm at the back, parallel to the floor. Look over the left shoulder at this moment. Breathe normally and hold the asana for some time. You must relax and slowly return to the original position and then repeat on the other side.
⦁ Santulanasana – This is a balancing asana, in which you have to balance your body on the buttocks. Sit with the legs stretched in front of you, and then you have to bend the legs, so that the soles of the feet rest on the ground. Grasp the hands behind the head and press the elbows towards the back. You have to remember to keep the back straight. While inhaling, you have to tilt the body towards the back. Slowly, you have to straighten both the legs and lift them off the floor.
The torso and the legs will form a right angle. You need to hold the position, while retaining the breath. When you are ready to release, you an exhale the stale air. This is a beneficial pose, that massages the organs in abdomen. Moreover, it also regulates the nervous system. Your Solar Plexus or Manipura chakra also gets stimulated, as a result of this asana practice. The life force starts flowing very fast, and unhindered, after you have done this for a number of times.
Pranayama For Activation Of The Solar Plexus
⦁ Bhastrika Pranayama – It is one of the breathing techniques, which you can practice for the activation of the Solar Plexus. You have to close the right nostril with the thumb, and inhale and exhale at least 20 times, through the left nostril. Your abdominal wall will move in and out, as a result of this breathing technique. After the 20th breath, you have to change the nostril. Start the same process through the right nostril after closing the left one. You have to take up Pranayama mudra at this point in time. This is one of the best breathing exercises, which can refresh your body and mind. Moreover, you can feel relaxed and rejuvenated at the same time. The lungs also get strengthened as a result of the practice of this breathing technique. This breathing technique also charges up the Solar Plexus or the Manipura chakra.
⦁ Nadi Shodhana – It is another breathing technique, which is popular as the alternate nostril breathing technique. Nadi Shodhana has the power to purify the blood, along with the air in the lungs. Moreover, you will be able to eject all the stale air from the lungs. This is a deep breathing exercise, which enriches the blood with oxygen. It will also relieve nervous tension and chronic headaches. If you practice this daily, your Manipura chakra will also be unblocked. You can enjoy all the goodness of life. Learn about this Pranayama in the 200 hour yoga TTC in Rishikesh.
There are many other yoga kriyas, that you can practice to free the fire element, so that it works in your favour. Here we are talking about Agnisaar Kriya.
Agnisaar Kriya For Manipura Chakra Cleansing
It is a yoga cleansing technique that has the power to cleanse the navel. That is where the chakra is believed to be located. Moreover, it also strengthens the abdominal muscles. In this kriya, you have to stand with the feet hip-width apart, and bend a bit at the waist. The palms rest on the thighs. You have to breathe rhythmically, while contracting and expanding the abdominal walls. Furthermore, you have to end each round with a deep inhalation. This kriya also improves the digestion, apart from balancing the Manipura chakra.
If you want to learn about more such yoga activities, then you should head to Hrishikesh Yoga School, nestled in the mountains in Rishikesh. The yoga capital of the world, beckons you to head to the tranquil region. Get guidance from the best teachers there and enjoy the benefits of a perfectly balanced Manipura chakra.
