Knowledge, awakening and balance of the first two cakras provides crucial foundation for the spiritual journey of yoga. The task of rooting and balancing our foundation is a lifelong, ever present journey and offers the aspirant a spark of self-knowledge that is essential for the continued journey up the central channel of the body to the higher cakras. When these first two cakras are awakened and balanced, aspirants experience true knowledge of their experience without being ruled by materialism, lack of self-control, depression and other expression of these unbalanced cakras.
Maṇipūra cakra is located just below and above the navel on the spinal column and plays an important role for all levels of the aspirant. This cakra controls the auric energy (vyana prāṇa). It radiates a golden light when fully awakened and in those whom have attained enlightenment.
Maṇipūra cakra relates to fire and will be balanced and awakened through proper yoga practices. Maṇipūra cakra also relates to:
- Light
- Warmth
- Energy
- Power
- Metabolism
- Digestion
When balanced, nurtured and operating as awakened one is willing to help and quite capable of using their strengths to help others and actions are rooted in what is for the greater good, not just what satisfies the lower self. Additionally balance in Maṇipūra cakra also displays itself in the following ways:
- Appropriate use of courage
- Balanced and fair actions
- High vitality
- Ease with completing typical everyday tasks
- One can maintain a clear and positive attitude, regardless of circumstances
- Move through the world helping others
- Actions be led by love, trust and encouragement, motivating those around
- Perform actions for the benefit of the worlds and others
- Graciously surrendering to the Divine grace of the ‘greater good’
When imbalanced and not properly nurtured, one will be perpetually stuck and procrastination will fuel inaction. There is likely to be a lot of unfinished tasks and projects in this person’s life that leads to guild and feeds low self-esteem. There will be low self-esteem that is often debilitating and apathy will lead them to avoid practices that will help. Additionally, one might experience:
- Sunken diaphragms
- Over powering need to satisfy ‘Me’
- Laziness
- Dullness
- Feeling blocked
- Inertia
- Trouble asking for help
- Unethical behavior
- Improper use of power over others
The following can be extremely helpful for awakening maṇipūra cakra:
- Taking on small and easily completed tasks
- Validation
- Focuseddṛṣṭi
- Appropriate praise
- Allowing/challenging the student to complete challenging tasks without help
- Lifting the chest in binds
- Karma actions
- Chanting
- Yoga practice
- Jump throughs
- Abdominal backbends
- Japa meditation
- Genuine laughter