Manipura Facts

The Solar Plexus Chakra

Sanskrit name: Manipura

Color: Yellow

Element: Fire

Location: Above the naval, the stomach area

Yantra Symbol: 10 petal lotus

Manipura Associations/Characteristics

 The Solar Plexus chakra is associated with the way in which people lead their life and interact with people and the world around them. This chakra represents a person's inner power and helps people to understand who they are and the strengths they possess. The Solar Plexus Chakra is also associated with humor due to the deep laughter that forms in the bottom of the stomach that helps people to feel at ease and happy. Overall, the chakra represents confidence, boldness, and harnessing the strength to take the world head on.

Unbalanced Manipura Chakra

The issues that arise when the Solar Plexus chakra is unbalanced revolve around lack of self-confidence or self-assurance and a feeling of disempowerment. There are many signs that show when the chakra is unbalanced such as an inability to express joy or accept criticism and an inability to make decisions. Other signs would be feelings of fear or intimidation and a lack of trust in people. Medical problems such as digestive issues, eating disorders, constipation, diabetes, and ulcers suggest an imbalance of the Solar Plexus chakra as well. Nervousness and poor memory can also result when then the chakra is imbalanced. An excessive amount of the chakra can lead to irritability, a need to perfect and an excessive desire for power, prestige, and acknowledgment. Also a need to control everything and dominate situations. 

Balanced Manipura Chakra

 Feelings of trust and high self-esteem suggest a balance the Solar Plexus chakra as well a balance of judgment and brainpower. People who have a balanced Solar Plexus chakra tend to possess a determined, go-getter attitude and are not afraid to take risks to get to where they want to be. They understand they are responsible for their own lives and are comfortable enough to make decisions that benefit them and are in tune with who they are as a person. When this chakra is balanced, people feel the desire to help other people and experience the warmth that follows selflessness.

Evidence my Solar Plexus Chakra is Balanced

   I don't like to sit around and wait for good things to happen on their own but instead, I like to do what I can to make my life the same as the life I envision myself living. I try to get as much as I can out of the opportunities that are presented to me while ensuring that I am opening up doors for myself on my own. If I am not happy with something in my life, I am determined to make things better instead of sitting back and letting the unhappiness fester inside me. I try to always turn my homework in on time and maintain a responsible lifestyle so I can reach my full potential in school. I try to take classes that I know will challenge me and lead me to achieve a higher intellect. I also know that my Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced because I feel secure with my friends and family and feel that I can trust them with almost anything.     

Manipura Extra Facts

             Essential Oils

-       Juniper

-       Lavender

-       Bergamot

-        Rosemary

  Yoga Postures

-       Navasana = Boat Pose

-       Trikonasana = Triangle Pose

-       Vrksasana =Tree pose

-       Urdhva Parsarita Padasana = Leg lifts

             Flower Essence

-       Aspen

-       Bergamot

-       Grapefruit

-       Honeysuckle

Video to Use for Manipura Meditation

References

http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/898?page=4

http://www.chakraenergy.com/seven.html

http://www.tantra-kundalini.com/manipura.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/manipura

Ajna Chakra (unbalanced)

Third Eye Chakra

Sanskrit name = Ajna = Command

Color: Indigo

Element: Light

Location: Forehead, between the eyebrows

Yantra Symbol: White two-petal lotus

Ajna Associations/Characteristics

 The Third Eye chakra is associated with intuition and consciousness. The energy of the chakra is feminine and allows one to become in touch with psychic and extra sensory perception abilities as well as imaginative abilities to envision the past and future. This chakra also represents connecting with the soul and self-realization.

Unbalanced Chakra

When then Third Eye chakra is unbalanced, people do not trust their own intuition or inner voice and harbor an excessive amount of skepticism. They may lack feelings of sensitivity or an ability to use their imagination and repress negative thoughts. People who have an unbalanced Third Eye Chakra tend to have feelings of disillusionment and have difficulties concentrating on their inner self and the world around them. Having repetitive nightmares, being unable to trust one's self or other, and being unable to understand one's emotions or learn from experience all signal an unbalanced Third Eye Chakra. Also being unable to make decisions or recognize inner desires. On the other end of the spectrum, one can become overly spacey and cannot connect with or function in the outside world. Headaches, sinus issues, seizures, learning disabilities, and sleep disorders are all physical issues associated with an unbalanced Third Eye chakra as well. 

Balanced Ajna Chakra

 One's Third Eye chakra shows signs of being balanced when one can imagine one's future and past and make informed choices that benefit one's future. A person who can rely on their intuition and is aware of themselves and the world around them has a balanced Third Eye chakra as well. Other signs of being balanced include being able to reflect on one's self and interpret inner feelings as well as well as feelings of other. Being able to learn through experience and being open to abilities such as telepathy and ESP are results of a balanced Third Eye Chakra. A person who has a strong Third Eye Chakra does not have an ego and is very selfless and understanding of other. 

           

Evidence that my Ajna Chakra is Unbalancced

I am having a hard time listening to my inner-voice when it comes to what I want to do in life. I know that I have a lot of time to think about it but I'm feeling very conflicted between studying for a stable job, like a doctor, or following one of passions, which is fashion. I can't seem to follow my intuition and realize which job would make me happier. I am also feeling so caught up with studying and all the work that I have to get done before the year is over that I am having a hard time imagining the future and not focusing on myself in the moment. I am getting so caught up that I am forgetting to pay attention to the loved ones in my life instead of just concentrating on myself and the things I need to get done. I think I need to step back and give myself some breaks to hang out with my family and my friends. Also, after I am done with this year, I feel like I will have a lot more time for self-exploration and self-realization and will be able to access my intuition better.  

More about Ajna

             Essential Oils

-       Geranium

-       Lavender

-       Rosemary

-       Spearmint

             Flower Essences

-      Wild Oat

-       Queen Anne's Lace

-       Madia 

-     Vanilla from the Orchid

 Poses

-       Eagle pose (Garundasana)

-       Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana

-       Headstand (Shirshasana)       

Video to Activate Ajna Chakra

Stare at the black dot to connect both hemispheres of your brain
You will begin to feel a tingling sensation between your eyebrows
Helps to stimulate the Third Eye chakra

References

http://www.tantra-kundalini.com/ajna.htm

http://www.beezone.com/AjnaChakra/Intro.html

http://www.onewholelove.com/third_level_pages/med_ajna.htm