Maṇipūra, the 'city of jewels', sits between the navel and the bottom of the ribs. Its element is fire. This is the centre of doing: choosing, deciding, acting and holding your ground.
What The Solar Plexus Governs
Self-esteem, willpower, discipline, boundaries and personal power. It's the gut feeling that says 'yes, I'll do this' or 'no, that's not OK'. It also governs digestion in the broad sense — taking in experience and turning it into energy.
It's traditionally shown as a ten-petalled lotus with a downward-pointing red triangle, the symbol of fire.
Signs Of Imbalance
Look for long-running patterns.
- ✦Under-active: indecision, low self-worth, people-pleasing, procrastination, feeling like life happens to you
- ✦Overactive: control, anger, perfectionism, workaholism, needing to win
- ✦Balanced: steady confidence, clear decisions, follow-through, able to say no
Working With The Solar Plexus
Fire responds to action. Keeping small promises to yourself — the walk you said you'd take, the task you said you'd finish — builds this centre more than anything. Core strength work and warming breath help physically.
Its bija is RAM — 'rum'. Chant it with some strength, in a middle voice, and feel it at the upper belly.
The practice · 8 minutes
Core Fire And RAM
- 1Sit tall. Place one fist just above your navel and cover it with the other hand.
- 2Breathe in through the nose and feel the belly push into your hands. Breathe out and draw the belly in firmly. Ten strong, steady breaths.
- 3If it suits you, do one round of 20 kapalabhati exhales from the breathwork course. Otherwise, continue the steady breaths.
- 4Chant RAM nine times with a strong, clear voice.
- 5Make one small promise to yourself for today and say it out loud.
- 6Today's action: keep that promise — and notice how it feels when you do.
Coming back to it: On repeat cycles, practise one clear, kind 'no' this week to something you'd normally agree to out of habit.
Journal prompts
- “Where am I giving my power away?”
- “What decision have I been putting off, and what's the first step?”
- “When do I tip from confidence into control?”
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Check Your Understanding
3 quick questions. Retake it any time.
1. What is the element of the solar plexus chakra?
2. What is its bija mantra?
3. What builds this centre most, according to the lesson?
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Open the timer →Safety: Chakra work is a reflective and contemplative practice, not a medical or psychological treatment. If you are dealing with physical symptoms, depression, trauma or anxiety, please work with a qualified professional alongside any practice here.