Chakra Healing : How To Open Your “Manipura”

24 June, Kathmandu : Do you often feel insecure ? Do you have trouble setting boundaries with people ? Do you consider yourself a “people please” ? Do you constantly seek approval from others ?

On the other hand, maybe you have an overly domineering personality. Do you find yourself bullying others? Do you tend to manipulate people to get what you want ? These signs point to an imbalanced solar plexus chakra. Healing the third chakra will improve self-esteem, release the need to control others, and restore a sense of purpose,

What Is a Chakra?

Chakra, which means wheel in Sanskrit, refers to spinning wheels of energy located along the spine. Hindus and Buddhists believe that the chakras represent the areas in the body where the spiritual and physical come together. Each chakra rotates at different speeds, which determines their frequency and color.

The chakras also relate to the physical and emotional aspects of our being. When in balance, we feel healthy and at peace. When blocked, chakras can cause emotional and physical distress. Connecting with our chakras helps us maintain harmony throughout the mind, body, and soul and learn when it’s time to heal parts of ourselves.

Read more in the Complete Beginner’s Guide to the Seven Chakras.

The Solar Plexus, or Manipura, refers to the third chakra. It spins in the area around the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone. Meaning “lustrous gem” in Sanskrit, the Manipura chakra provides a source of personal power and relates to self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation.

The Solar Plexus Chakra at a Glance
Name in Sanskrit: Manipura meaning lustrous gem
Location: In the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone
Color: Yellow Mantra : Rum
Element: Fire
Signs of balance: Confident, motivated, purposeful, reliable, responsible
Signs of imbalance: Aggression, overly dominating toward others, low self-esteem

When the solar plexus chakra is in balance, a person exudes confidence (without being arrogant), feels self-motivated, and has a sense of purpose. When out of balance, someone may suffer from low self-esteem, have trouble making decisions, and have control issues.

Imbalances of the solar plexus can also manifest in the physical body such as fatigue, overeating, excessive weight around the stomach, and digestive system disorders such as IBS, ulcers, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.

Opening the Solar Plexus Chakra

Burn Manipura incense and essential oils. Aromatherapy has the power to awaken our sense of personal power. To open the solar plexus, burn fiery incense and essential oils like saffron, musk, sandalwood, ginger, and cinnamon.

Repeat positive affirmations about personal power. By repeating affirmations, either out loud, in our heads, or by writing them down, we help reverse negative thought patterns and replace them with constructive ones. Change the script by repeating affirmations like:

As I take on new challenges, I feel calm, confident, and powerful.
I feel motivated to pursue my purpose.
I am ambitious and capable.
I forgive myself for past mistakes, and I learn from them.
The only thing I need to control is how I respond to situations.
I have the courage to create positive change in my life.
I stand in my personal power.

Practice postures that balance the solar plexus chakra

Practicing yoga postures with mindful breathing helps release tension in the solar plexus, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The warrior poses build confidence and align the third chakra. Sun salutations warm up the body and connect with the fiery energy of the sun. Boat pose is another excellent posture for strengthening the abdominal muscles, balancing digestion, and bringing a sense of personal empowerment.

Heal from the past

Many of our past traumas become stored in the body and continue to affect thought patterns and behaviors. People who have experienced a strict upbringing, bullying, or authoritarian parents, or those who have suffered mental or physical abuse tend to have difficulty balancing the third chakra. Therapy, support from loved ones, and other healthy activities can help begin the path to healing from the past and restoring balance to the solar plexus chakra.

Read more about chakra healing: Learn how you can open your root chakra, sacral chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, anja chakra, and crown chakra.

Source : https://www.goodnet.org/