Yin Yoga || Manipura Chakra
I have begun this writing by exploring the most challenging energy centre in the body: the gateway between our animal nature in the lower realms and the higher realms of human consciousness. This gateway is known as Manipura. Manipura is that gateway
Manipura serves as the meeting point for two vital energy flows in the body: prana vayu, which carries breath and energy from the throat to the navel, and apana vayu, which moves vital energy from the navel to the anus. By consciously activating Manipura, we direct the apana energy upwards to meet with prana vayu. This powerful union creates an explosion of energy capable of awakening the dormant kundalini and filling her with vitality.
In Buddhism, this energy centre is referred to as Hara, meaning "to leave," as it is where kundalini ascends through the other chakras. In Tibetan tradition, it is called "Manipadma," symbolising the jewelled lotus. The mantra of compassion associated with this chakra is OM MANI PADME HUM.
Guanyin, also known as the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
Manipura is where our personal soul, known as Jiva Atman, awakens to the ultimate teacher—the supreme consciousness. It is the place where Arjuna surrenders to Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, recognising him as his teacher. This surrender involves transcending our lower material nature and embracing the divine realms.
This energy centre is also responsible for our digestive fire, converting food and water into energy and heat. It symbolises our metabolism and the transformation of nutrients. When Manipura is excessive, we experience restlessness, an inability to slow down, and a desire for control. This imbalance manifests as rage, anger, and weight gain around the middle. On the other hand, when Manipura is deficient, our digestive fire diminishes, leading to bloating, constipation, low energy, and chronic fatigue. We become dismissive of life and submissive to the demands of others.
The Centre of our Will in Balance
Finding balance in Manipur is crucial. Too much fire consumes our life energy, while too little leaves us stagnant and fixated on material gains. When this energy centre is balanced, we experience optimism, warmth, and ease. We trust our ability to meet life's demands with grace and conscious intention. Compassion arises for ourselves and others, allowing our thoughts, goals, and dreams to manifest in tangible forms through conscious action.
Spring, the season of renewal, aligns with Manipura's energy. It is a perfect time to cleanse the body, with different approaches depending on our constitution. Cleansing could involve a juice cleanse, liver cleanses recommended by the medical medium, consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner for herbal remedies, breath practises, and mantras based on our Vedic chart and Dosha constitution. Alternatively, a gentle yin practise can help detoxify and rebalance our digestive fire, stimulating the liver and gallbladder meridians. Also, journaling, asking potent questions, and being honest with ourselves are simple yet effective practises for claiming our power.
Anodea Judith, the author of "Eastern Body, Western Mind," offers insightful journaling questions for third chakra work. They include exploring our understanding of power, how it manifests in our lives, what empowers us, and identifying situations that have disempowered us. Setting goals that align with our personal power, both short-term and long-term, allows us to embrace our potential fully.
As we deepen our connection to Manipura, we realise the treasures hidden within us and the importance of unleashing them. Spring provides a potent backdrop for setting these treasures in motion, emerging from the darkness of winter and reaching for the light.
I hope you have received something from this piece of writing. I know I have, just in writing it and getting thoughts, ideas and a little knowledge down on screen and I myself, am working through this journaling practice too.
Gem xox
References
Williams. A Medical Medium Liver Rescue 1st ed. USA: Hay House 2018
Judith. A Eastern Body Western Mind; Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self 2nd rev. ed. USA: Celestial Arts 1996, 2004
