The Third Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra
The third chakra is called solar plexus chakra. Manipura (means lustrous gem) is the Sanskrit name for the 3rd chakra. This sunny yellow, expressive chakra is situated right in the center of our solar plexus, directly between the sternum and the navel (at the base of the rib cage). It is associated with the color yellow (or golden yellow) and is symbolized by birds.
This is the area which defines our “self-esteem”. Represented by the ten petal lotus, this chakra is our connection to the sun, the source of light. It functions as our “storage battery” for the strength or power we need to get thruogh tough times without compromising our values. As the sun is our solar power, so this third chakra is also our personal power. Your personality that develops during puberty is stored in this chakra. This is also the place where you get your “gut instincts” that signal you to do or not to do something.
The solar plexus chakra is involved in intellect and thought, and with the effect of thought on our body. Being the foundation of the mental body, the third chakra enables us to pick up essences and vibrations from people, things and places. For those who experiencing dysfunction of this chakra would have difficulty maintaining or obtaining her/his own “personal power”. In marital arts, the solar plexus chakra is considered as the center of qi (or chi) – the life force energy (also known as Reiki).
The third chakra is associated with the pancreas and adrenals. Area of body governed by this chakra is liver, gallbladder, upper abdomen, umbilicus to rib cage, middle spine, adrenals, spleen, kidney, stomach and small intestines. It physically influences stomach, muscles, digestion, liver, metabolism, liver and nervous system. If this chakra is not working properly, it can cause stomach ulcers, diabetes, pancreatitis, intestinal tumors, indigestion, hepatitis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, cirrhosis, anorexia/bulimia, depression, or colon diseases.
When the energy of this chakra is balanced, we will be cheerful, intelligent, expressive, take on new challenges, self-respect, skilful and spontaneous. When this chakra has an excessive energy, it can cause the person to be judgmental, perfectionistic, workaholic, sexually inhibited, overly intellectual, cant show emotional warmth and may need drugs to relax. A lack of energy in this chakra may cause you to be depressed, worry about what others think, a tendency to lie, lack of confidence, need constant reassurance, distrustful, jealous, poor digestion, sexual energy-insecure and afraid of being alone.
The third chakra can be damaged when we smolder with repressed anger, refuse to admit when we are wrong, criticize others and wish our lives were different without doing any action to change circumstances.
To balance this chakra, try to burn candles frequently, wear yellow clothing, use yellow tablecloth or yellow flowers in the home, rub our belly, visualize bright sunshine radiating out from our solar plexus, breathe using our diaphragm. Gemstones that cleanse, stimulate and energize the solar plexus chakra are yellow tourmaline, golden topaz, jasper. Flower essences that stimulate, cleanse and energize this chakra are peppermint, golden yarrow, chamomile.