This is the third of a series of articles exploring the chakra system.
Do you ever feel short of willpower? Do you lack the stamina to move forward on the things that matter to you? Is it hard to get motivated when you wake up in the morning? Maybe some attention to the fire chakra is in order.
The solar plexus is a power center in both the Vedic and Chinese health systems.
The Sanskrit name for the third chakra is Manipura, which means “lustrous gem”. It is located right at the solar plexus, which is also where Chinese medicine locates our main energy source. In Chinese medicine it is called “hara”, and strength and power come from this part of the body. In the Vedic system, the solar plexus is the seat of the will, vitality, energy, and passion. A strong, vibrant third chakra gives you the momentum to take action, to make what you will into reality.
If your inner fire isn’t fed, you either will not have enough energy, or too much of the wrong kind.
A depleted third chakra will manifest in your life as exhaustion, tight muscles, inflexibility, tension, and difficulty relaxing. These are also symptoms of adrenal exhaustion, which is logical since the adrenal glands affect your energy levels and are located near this energy center. Digestive troubles can also be a manifestation of imbalance in this energy center. Your fire chakra is all about energy; how you use it, how much you have, how long you can sustain it, how your body creates and controls it. The third chakra in balance means abundant, balanced energy that you are able to focus at will.
The 21st century is especially hard on the third chakra.
The stresses of modern life take a particularly heavy toll on this chakra for most people. Many of us survive on coffee, sugar and adrenaline to get through stressful, overcommitted days. The type of energy you get from these short term solutions doesn’t last, and it costs. Living this way is not sustainable, as people who suffer from adrenal exhaustion discover. Natural energy sources and a balanced system overall will keep your internal fire burning strong.
Keep your inner fire burning strong and steady with these suggestions:
Energize from chakras one and two by getting plenty of rest, eating well, and nourishing your creativity.
Charge up on complex carbohydrates, which are good clean fuel for your digestive fire.
Let go of dependence on coffee, sugar, and simple carbohydrates.
Go for a run.
Try weight lifting.
Strengthen your core with Pilates.
Try Ashtanga Yoga.
Practice setting boundaries and establishing your own will in healthy ways.
Say “no” when you mean no, and “yes” when you mean yes.
Pay attention to the balance between energy in and energy out.
Try laughter yoga, or do something hilarious with friends. Laughter energizes the third chakra.
Surround yourself with the color yellow.
Visualize your solar plexus as a bright, vibrant sun, energizing your whole body.
With attention and nourishment, your power center can vibrantly energize your life. To get your body and your will aligned, tend your inner fire and see what happens!
If you are interested in further exploration into practical chakra work, The Sevenfold Journey by Anodea Judith and Selene Vega is an excellent resource.
Sources:
personal study and professional experience
More from Elizabeth Danu:
Feeling Stressed? Settle Into Your Root Chakra to Feel Better
Want to Rekindle Your Sex Life and Your Creativity? Flow Into Your Second Chakra
Try Something New to Get Some Sleep