One of the ways you can transform your fears into acts of courage so that you can follow your true path, be your authentic self, create the life of your dreams is to connect with the energy of your third chakra, the solar plexus chakra. This is the chakra of transformation.
Quick reminder…the chakras are the body’s energy centres in the yogic tradition. “Chakra” in Sanskrit translates to “wheel”. You can imagine the 7 chakras as 7 spinning wheels located in seven spots along the spine, from the very grounding root chakra at the very base of your spine to the crown chakra at the top of your head.
The solar plexus chakra, called Manipura in Sanskrit, ( मणिपूर ), is the third chakra (after the root chakra and the sacral chakra). Manipura translates to “the city of shining gems”, the gems being your vitality, your strength and endurance, your confidence and courage.
This chakra, often called the power chakra, is the home of your personal power, your inner fire (called Agni). Your inner fire gives you the spark and the strength to do anything you want. Balancing this chakra empowers your true self to shine brightly.
The solar plexus chakra is located approximately 4 fingers above your navel, just below the rib cage. Being in this area of the body, it is the home of digestion - not just the digestion of food, separating what is useful to us from what is not, transforming it into energy, but also the digestion of ideas, emotions and experiences.
This chakra is associated with the element of fire. Fire is the crucible of transformation, and the fire of the third chakra can transform our fears into strength and courage, and courage builds confidence and resilience, transforming you into the master of your own destiny.
When your third chakra is in balance, you feel confident, courageous, with a sense of purpose. When it’s out of balance, with too much fire and energy, you might experience low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence. And, as the Manipura chakra relates to the digestive system, pancreas, gall bladder and liver, you may experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, digestive problems, weight gain.
When your inner fire is strong, you have the courage and the strength to burn through anything that is holding you back, to face any challenges and difficulties that may come your way.
Here are 5 ways to ignite your inner fire and rebalance your solar plexus chakra.
1. Practice fire-building yoga poses
In your yoga practice this week, focus on core strengthening poses like boat pose, plank and side plank, chair pose with variation, and any of the warrior poses.
2. Embrace sunny yellow
The solar plexus chakra is associated with yellow, the colour of the sun. Soaking in some energizing and nourishing sun rays is always a good idea to help connect and energize the sun within.
3. Try Mountain Pose with “Sun Rises Within” Visualization
Stand with your feet firmly rooted hip width apart and parallel, and your spine tall.Turn your palms forward to greet what is coming. Stand like you want to walk through life. Tall. Open. Strong. Confident. Loving. Scan your awareness through your body from crown to feet as you inhale, and from feet to crown as you exhale. Imagine the sun breaking over the horizon in front of you, the golden rays shining on your body and shining within at the same time. Slowly raise your arms out to the side and up to the sky, and visualize your whole being filling with the golden light of unshakable confidence. Then gently lower your arms back down to your sides.
4. Chant “Ram”
The solar plexus chakra is related to the bija mantra “Ram”. Chant “Ram” over and over, either aloud or silently. Visualize the vibrations flowing straight to your solar plexus chakra, stoking your inner fire.
5. Connect with fire - Fire Gazing Meditation
For this meditation, you will need a safe source of open flame. The easiest and most accessible for many will be a candle (of any sort). You could also build a fire in a fireplace or outdoor fire pit if you have access and the time to enjoy it.
- Once you have your fire, simply sit in front of it comfortably with your gaze softly focused on the flame, and tune into your breathing.
- Allow your breath to find its natural rhythm - relax into it.
- Watch the fire in this relaxed way, and open to the sound of the fire - this may be quite subtle if you are burning a candle, but listen and see what you notice.
- Then turn your attention to the scent of the fire - once again this will depend on your source of fire, the type or wax, or scent of the candle, etc. Simply notice and appreciate. Stay with your breath.
- Now shift your attention fully to the flame. Notice the colour, the light, the movement. Notice the shifts moment by moment, the dance…. Notice the wood or wick surrounded by the flame.
- Connect beyond the sight into the energy of the fire. How does it feel? You don’t need to “think” of things through this fire gazing meditation…notice any insights that arise, any feelings, and stay with the sensory experience of the fire. And always stay connected to your breath, as the fire breathes too.
You may wish to set a timer for this fire gazing practice, anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes as you wish. Set the intention to stay connected and present with your flame for the whole time, always coming back to your senses as the doorway to perceive and receive the energy of fire.
HUM RESOURCES:
Root Chakra: 8 Poses to Get Grounded
Unleash Your Creativity: 7 Ways to Connect with Your Sacral Chakra
Yoga to Unlock the Power of Your Heart Chakra
8 Ways to Balance Your Throat Chakra
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