How to open your solar plexus chakra?
Introduction
“Manipura” means “jewel city” or “full of gems,” representing the solar plexus chakra found in the center of the body, its heat, like a golden sun.
Manipura chakra is located between the 12th thoracic vertebra and the first lumbar vertebra.
In Hindu tradition, Manipura is represented by a lotus with ten petals, colored in bright yellow.
In more elaborate versions, there is a pictured triangle placed upside down within its center, each with an extension in the “T” form on each side.
The sacred animal of this chakra is the ram.
Manipura is the emotional center of the body, which determines the personality and conduct – both physical and social.
The endocrine gland associated with the Manipura chakra is the pancreas, and the nerve plexus related is the solar plexus.
Processes and organs managed by this chakra: breathing, digestion, detoxification, moves of the diaphragm and of the stomach, duodenum, gall bladder, and liver.
Part of the imbalanced feeling of fatigue may be related to being improperly energized through diet.
If the food is not sustaining, the solar plexus chakra may become imbalanced, as it involves the digestive organs.
Recent studies have revealed that there are cells in the organs of the digestive system that produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan, that is connected to happiness and feelings of calm.
When imbalanced, we experience anxiety, stress, and depression.
Manipura is open and balanced when you can say out loud, wholehearted: I know for sure what I want! That’s good for me, and I will do it even if others disagree.
And if others criticize me because they don’t agree with what I do or say, that is their problem, not mine.
I am my own authority!
That means staying true to yourself.
Nowadays, taking your power back is especially challenging for women.
For centuries, women have been used to be in the shadow of men, forced to submit to them, forced to do what they are told, used to believe that there are not important and that they know nothing.
Now, it is a challenge to feel like you’re free to do whatever you want and have the courage to say what you think and to claim your own authority.
It’s not easy, but it’s the only way possible; once the hard part has passed, it is a liberating process, which gives you wings for a new life.
Manipura is the chakra of intention (here, intentions are born).
With the help of intention, will, and personal power, you can transform the energy of Swadhisthana (chakra no. 2) into something creative.
What are you going to create with your intentions?
When Solar Plexus Chakra is unbalanced or closed, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- you place others and their wishes before yours;
- fatigue, weakness;
- lack of energy, depression;
- lack of strength;
- you depend on others;
- you are afraid of others;
- you always criticize, judge yourself; you think you are wrong;
- you can not, or you don’t know how to take care of yourself;
- you doubt yourself;
- you feel guilty;
- you always are defensive, you feel rejected, unappreciated, and unnoticed;
- everything goes wrong, nothing binds;
- you feel hurt and experience an inner pain;
- you believe that no one will love you for who you really are;
- you feel unworthy;
- you feel stuck, alone, incapable of moving forward or change yourself;
- you’re stuck in a situation that seems to endlessly repeat;
- you are dealing with repetitive patterns (mental or behavioral, or a type of relationship that continues to recreate in your life);
- resentment toward others or toward yourself;
- you don’t allow joy and happiness to enter your life;
- lack of relationship with yourself;
- lack of courage to risk losing the appreciation of others by saying or acting as you would like;
- you are afraid to express yourself honestly; you say what you think others would want to hear from you;
- you don’t know your own value, and you need to be acknowledged by others;
- lack of confidence;
- you have control problems –you try to control the situations you are in; you are trying to control your life instead of living it.
- you don’t know what you want – you feel that your wishes are just caprices; you think life is hard and you have to do what is needed, not what you like;
- you crave appreciation, awards, titles;
- you live your life according to this question: What should I do in this life in order to be appreciated, loved, valuable to society or to others?
- you feel that the surrounding world (people, things, or situations) has a lot of power over you and has a crucial influence on how you feel; you are addicted to what happens around you.
Ways we can heal and balance the third chakra:
1.RAM meditation
- sit in a meditation position (semi-lotus or sitting on a chair);
- keep your back straight, your head upright, and your chin slightly withdrawn;
- focus your attention on the solar plexus area; try to feel the energies that oscillate there (try to synchronize with the abdominal breathing rhythm);
- at first, say loudly the mantra RAM (bija mantra), then just whisper it;
- repeat the mantra a few dozen times, for as long as you feel comfortable;
- imagine how the level of energy increases in the solar plexus area;
- keep the feeling you gain during meditation after you stop the exercise.
Third chakra meditation bestows you with the power to lead with authority and to command, manage and organize successfully. It is important for a long, healthy, and productive life.
2.Practice asanas
Balancing pose is great to activate the third chakra.
Some examples include: Sun salutation or Surya Namaskar, Paschimottanasana (Posterior Stretch), Trikonasana (Triangle), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Spinal Twist), or Kashyapasana.
3.Practice Matangi mudra
Mudra for the solar plexus chakra is Matangi Mudra: join hands in front of the stomach area, raise both middle fingers and support them into each other.
Interleaving the fingers, women should cross the left thumb on the right thumb, and vice versa for men.
This mudra brings inner harmony and self-confidence. It calms the mind and center. In addition, this mudra fortifies the respiratory drive in the sunlight based plexus and parities energies around there.
Practice Matangi Mudra three times each day for four minutes.
4.Chromatic therapy
The activity on the third chakra is activated by the color yellow (as the sun).
This color invigorates the nervous system functions, activates the mind, and helps build connections between people.
This color feels us with joy, helps us overcome internal fatigue.
If we feel sad, powerless, or depressed, yellow is the color that could refresh us. In addition, it can help us heal physical or spiritual trauma.
Yellow has a soothing effect on our soul’s torments.
It strengthens the spiritual activity and supports wisdom (not only the one gained by experience but also the native one).
5.Crystalotherapy
Crystals that open the 3rd energy center are golden or yellow in their color.
They are: yellow calcite, citrine, amber, tiger’s eye, yellow (imperial) topaz, yellow jasper. Yellow is naturally connected to the Sun. Its frequency is associated with the frequency of our conscious mind.
6.Eat yellow food
Food and spices to heal and balance the third chakra: warming spices, like cardamom, turmeric, and ginger. Spicy foods, such as peppers and curries. In addition, yellow foods provide the vibrational rate needed to help balance the solar plexus chakra.
Examples include golden apples, lemons, butternut squash, yellow pears, sunflower seeds, bananas, and fresh corn.
7.Aromatherapy
Rosemary: rosemary aromatic oil is especially recommended if the third chakra is hypo-functioning. It helps us activate and increase the appetite for action; it helps us overcome our laziness. Therefore, even laziness can be cured.
Lavender: Lavender oil has a soothing effect, relaxing on the third chakra hyperactivity. Its gentle, warm smell helps dissolve blocked feelings and helps us deal with these feelings.
Bergamot: the fresh flavor (with a hint of lemon) of the oil processed from bergamot fruits fills us with spiritual shine, activates vital energy, and increases self-confidence.
ALSO READ: Interesting facts about the Pineal Gland
8.Daily affirmations
Since the third chakra is closely tied with strength and a healthy sense of self, affirmations that focus on self-acceptance and boundaries are most useful.
You can try these affirmations:
- I respect and honor myself;
- I am a powerful creator of my life;
- I am successful and release my creative energy into this universe;
- I love and accept myself;
- I believe in myself;
- I can achieve anything I desire;
- I trust my own guidance.
9.Healing Manipura chakra with the help of nature
This chakra is associated with the fire element.
Taking a walk out in the sun or sitting in front of a fireplace is highly beneficial.
The solar plexus chakra teaches us our own power, to trust life, and to go forth with faith in ourselves.
We are free to choose how we deal with life, and with a strong Manipura chakra, we will bring out the inner light and the best in our personalities.
ALSO READ: Spiritual Awakening Signs and Symptoms
Sources https://patch.com/pennsylvania/dormont-brookline/calendar/clear-your-chakras https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/what-are-chakras
