By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed
Ok, so you may be wondering, “What do daffodils, Yoga and the Manipura Chakra have in common?” Well, the color yellow, of course! Daffodils are one of the first flowers to peak their heads above the earth during springtime. They represent the continual process of regeneration and the optimism of new beginnings. In the east, daffodils are symbolic of wealth and abundance. In China, the daffodil is strongly associated with good fortune and is culturally associated with the Chinese New Year. In many cultures throughout the world, the color yellow represents lightness, energy, wealth, and the optimism of new beginnings.
The Manipura Chakra is the third chakra or energy center of the body, according to Hindu tradition. It is located at the level of the solar plexus. This chakra is primarily associated with the color yellow and is known as the resplendent gem. This fiery chakra governs the digestive fire, self-esteem and initiative. When the Manipura Chakra is moving freely, an individual’s sense of self-direction and self-esteem are strong. When initiative, self-esteem and the fire to follow through on one’s goals are strong, wealth often follows. However, when this chakra is closed or hampered in some way, a Yoga practitioner may find it more difficult to generate the initiative to start new projects and work towards personal and professional goals.
This sense of determination, energy and optimism may be dulled by the heaviness of the winter season. As springtime arrives, many Yoga practitioners find that there is a new sense of energy and hope that arises from within them. Practicing Yoga asanas that help to dispel inertia and generate more warrior energy will in turn support you in starting new projects and manifesting your dreams. A healthy Manipura Chakra will also make it easier to speak up for yourself, assert your own will in different situations and generate a sense of vitality and warmth in your belly region.
Surrounding yourself with the color yellow, whether it is in the form of a bunch of delicately scented daffodils or yellow pillows and curtains, will also help to nurture a healthy Manipura Chakra. Additionally, offering selfless service to your community and laughing are both said to increase the energy of the Manipura Chakra. In terms of a Yoga practice, incorporating poses that specifically release tension and generate energy in the solar plexus will help to dispel inertia and invigorate your entire being. This invigoration will help to fuel the process of initiating new projects, speaking up for yourself and following through on the many tasks that must be accomplished, in order to make your dreams and goals a reality.
If you are a Yoga teacher, teaching a sequence of Yoga posture during your class that help to generate energy and warmth in the area of the Manipura Chakra will support your students in feeling the warrior energy within their own beings. Likewise, if you are a Yoga practitioner, including Yoga asanas into your practice on a regular basis that nurture the energy and freedom of movement in the solar plexus region will help to dispel any inertia that may have settled into that area of your body during the long, cold winter months. Practicing Warrior I, Warrior II and Warrior III poses are some of the quintessential Yoga asanas aimed at increasing warrior energy throughout the body.
Additionally, practicing twisting postures also helps to release inertia and “stuck energy” in the solar plexus region. Yoga poses such as Eagle Pose, Seated Spinal Twist and Revolved Crescent Lunge all help to generate energy and warmth in the Manipura Chakra. These twisting postures release deep-seated tension in the shoulders and the thoracic spine, which will increase the flow of prana or life force energy throughout your being. A regular practice of Yoga postures that includes many of these poses will be sure to increase your warrior energy and fill you with new vitality and optimism, which will in turn support you in initiating and manifesting your goals, dreams and desires. For detailed instructions on how to practice these postures, please refer to a professional Yoga teacher training website or visit a Yoga studio in your area to receive personalized instruction
© Copyright 2014 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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