MANIPURA CHAKRA: The Sun Centre

This is the chakra associated with the navel – the point of connection with the mother and the act of physical creation, and also more commonly with the Solar Plexus – the great nerve centre between the back of the stomach and the inside of the spine.  It is into this centre that we focus as we practise yoga abdominal breathing.  The ancients gave it this name meaning `City of Jewels` demonstrating its importance.

Traditionally the chakra is described as having 10 grey petals although yellow – the colour of the sun – is often associated with this chakra.  Inside the circle of petals is a downward facing triangle regarded as the fire region of the chakra, and the bija mantra is `ram`, the syllable of fire.  The animal is the horned ram; a male animal, and the deity is Rudra – the fearsome aspect of Shiva.

This chakra is also intimately associated with breathing through its connection and nearness to the diaphragm.  Breath is life, and the physical body is there to manifest the attributes of life – action, movement etc.  As the connecting region between the lower and upper regions of the body it also highlights the aspect of balance in us.  For perfect balance the mind and body must be working together with full concentration, awareness and physical adjustment.

The aspects of this chakra relate to the positive, `masculine` qualities such as  competetiveness, physical energy and power.  The yogi who has control of this chakra is said to gain perfect health from disease and to conquer death.  If control is lost the energy is wasted in anger and aggression. 

Manipura chakra represents the highest evolution of the physical body.  For this reason Manipura chakra is very important in the practise of asanas, the physical exercises.  From here successive chakras become more concerned with the psycho-spiritual aspects of our being.

Derek Osborn                                                                060306