The Power Center
Manipura Chakra—located at the solar plexus, just above the navel—is our inner fire. Associated with the color yellow and the element of fire, this chakra is often called our power center. It’s here that we cultivate confidence, self-esteem, willpower, and personal authority. When Manipura is balanced, we feel capable, energized, and empowered. We trust our instincts, take inspired action, and move through the world with clarity and purpose.
Energy and Digestion
Physically, Manipura corresponds with the pancreas, the gland responsible for secreting digestive enzymes and insulin. These functions help break down food and regulate blood sugar—fueling every cell of the body. In this way, Manipura governs the transformation of nourishment into usable energy. It quite literally powers us from the inside out.
Balance and Imbalance
An imbalanced Manipura might show up as low self-worth, indecision, lethargy—or on the flip side, as overconfidence, aggression, or burnout. When this chakra is balanced, we find our center. We act—not from ego, but from steady inner strength. We feel energized, not overwhelmed. We know who we are and stand firmly in that truth.
Prana, Power, and Practice
The pranic quality that governs Manipura is samana vayu—the inward-moving force that gathers and concentrates energy at the core. Samana helps us digest not only food, but experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Practices that activate this center include:
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Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana series)
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Core-strengthening postures like Navasana (Boat Pose)
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Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati or Agni Sara)
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Chanting the mantra RAM
These practices help to stoke the inner fire and bring the chakra into harmony.
Reconnect to Your Core
If you’re feeling scattered or depleted, bring your awareness to Manipura. With each exhalation, gently draw the navel toward the spine—engaging uddiyana bandha—and imagine your energy collecting at your core. From this place of inner strength, may you rise, radiate, and move through life with confidence.