It's summer here in London—the sun is out, and what better time to work on our 3rd chakra? This month, we’re focusing on the Solar Plexus Chakra, also known as the Manipura Chakra, which is considered the body’s energy source, just like the sun is life’s energy source.
Chakra of the Month: Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra
"Manipura" can be translated to be "city of jewels" and is associated with the natural element of fire. It's usually represented by the color yellow, linking it to fire and, more broadly, the sun. The Manipura Chakra is directly connected to your sense of self, self-esteem, purpose, personal identity, will, digestion, and metabolism.When this chakra is blocked, it can manifest as digestive issues, poor self-esteem, lack of courage, quickness to anger, and a general lack of direction. However, when it is in healthy alignment, you become comfortable with your inherent power and feel empowered. You gain a sense of who you are and why you are here. Connecting with your purpose allows you to understand how you, as an individual, can contribute to the world in a beneficial way.
Tips for Balancing Your Manipura Chakra:
Yoga for the Solar Plexus Chakra:
To begin balancing your Solar Plexus Chakra, try incorporating this Sun Salutation sequence into your morning routine to boost your energy and connect with your inner power[click here to watch it]. Also, practicing in the park, or rather out in nature can help you ground yourself and build your confidence. Check out my YouTube for short yoga videos you can use for your practice.
Mindful Eating:
Pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel. Incorporate foods that support digestive health and are vibrant in color, like yellow fruits and vegetables (bananas, pineapples, corn, and yellow peppers). Eating mindfully and choosing nutritious foods can help strengthen and balance the Solar Plexus Chakra.
Positive Affirmations:
Use affirmations to boost your self-esteem and sense of purpose. Repeat phrases like, "I am confident in my abilities," "I am powerful and in control of my life," and "I am worthy of all the good things life has to offer." Saying these affirmations daily can help reinforce the positive energy of the Manipura Chakra.Candice's Journey to Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Candice about her journey towards balancing her Solar Plexus Chakra. Here’s what she had to share about her experiences and the impact of yoga on her sense of self and personal power."My relationship with my sense of self is one that I have been working on for a very long time. I have a solid sense of what my physical body and mental self needs, although I don’t always give myself enough of what is needed. In terms of my personal power, this is a fluctuating relationship—there are times when I feel strong and confident in my personal power, and other times, mostly influenced by stress, that I might lose that confidence.
My journey in yoga has helped me develop greater self-worth and confidence in numerous ways. Mastering new challenging poses, like inversions or balances, gives me confidence on the yoga mat, which ripples out into everyday life. Yoga teachings and philosophy, as well as the asanas, have increased my body awareness, which helped build my self-worth.
Regular yoga practice has had a positive impact on strengthening my sense of self. I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years, and it has gotten me through some of the most challenging mental, emotional, and physical times of my life. Yoga makes me feel whole and feel like me. The combination of pranayama and asana is magical, making me a calmer, more centered, and physically stronger person. More recently, Kundalini yoga has taught me the quality of breathing through discomfort and cultivating both stamina and peace in this.
When I have a regular yoga practice, my relationships are more peaceful and harmonious. There is also a sense of clearer boundaries, so my sense of self is stronger, and I am less likely to put up with other people's issues. Yoga also reminds me that I can breathe through interpersonal discomfort.
After having my daughter and then experiencing lockdown, being away from in-person yoga for about a year, getting back into a yoga class produced a significant shift in my self-esteem and confidence. I felt like my body was starting to be my own again, building physical strength and spiritual connection after pregnancy and birthing."
Candice's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative effects of yoga on self-worth, confidence, and overall well-being. Whether you're looking to strengthen your sense of self, build personal power, or simply find peace amidst life's challenges, yoga offers a path to balance and growth. If you're inspired by Candice's story and want to start or deepen your own practice, you can join our next yoga class!
Thank you for being a vibrant part of our community. Check out my other blog posts to continue this journey on balancing the chakras.
Let's embrace the summer sun and happy Leo Season!
LYA