Solar-Plexus Chakra Test (3rd)

If your first two chakras are balanced, then you have the energy, power and stability to withstand the emotional and spiritual effects of change.  But do you have the proper amount of energy within your third chakra, Solar-Plexus or Manipura Chakra to put forth a plan, execute that plan and change or transform into the person you want to be?  Discover the truth by taking the third chakra test below.

Solar-Plexus Chakra Test - Is Your Solar Chakra in Balance?


Solar-Plexus/Naval Chakra - Third Chakra (Manipura) (Yellow Chakra)

The Naval or Solar-Plexus Chakra is where you establish and store your sense of self.  Once the Manipura Chakra is in balance, you will have the self-esteem, will power and ability available to transform yourself. Take the Chakra Test below to discover if it is balanced. 

Results:

8 or more yeses means your third chakra, Manipura/Solar-Plexus Chakra, is completely jammed/blocked or exhausted from overuse.  You need to act daily to balance your third chakra so that you are able to bring forth change, grow and reach your goals.  Once you develop and maintain the steps below into your daily routine, you will begin to develop the confidence and courage needed to be instinctual and intellectually decisive has you begin to reach your goals.

6-7 yeses indicates your Manipura Chakra is in great need of your attention, and you need to act daily to ensure you balance and maximize the great potential it has to help you become all that you can.    Take the steps below daily and infuse them into your lifestyle to ensure you unblock and unleash the power that lies within your Sacral/Manipura Chakra. 

4-5 yeses suggest the overuse of this chakra is enabling you from developing the emotional and physical skills and energy needed to change.  In order to attain and maintain balance, follow the steps here. 

2-3 yeses indicate your third chakra, the Manipura Chakra, is open to accept and extract the energy needed to bring about change.  But you have work to do to completely balance it so that you have the self-confidence and self-esteem needed to move into action so that you can change and ultimately move one step closer to ultimate physical, emotional, mental and spiritual enlightenment.  You need to follow the specific steps below to work on balancing it.

0-1 yeses means your Solar-Plexus/ Manipura Chakra is balanced most of the time thus giving you the energy to change and continue to grow your self-confidence and self-esteem.    It also means you are able to receive energy from your bottom two chakras which give you the energy to be physically and emotional strong and stable.  In order to maintain your current balance, do these simple tasks daily. 

Balancing, Unblocking, Healing, Enforcing and Utilizing  the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura Chakra)

The third chakra, Manipura chakra, is located in between the naval and bottom of our sternum; our solar plexus (see picture to the right).  It is the storehouse of the energy needed to make individual changes and change the environment with which we interact. 

Manipura is Sanskrit which means: city of brilliant gems.  As such, the solar plexus contains the power/energy we need to transform our self and lives into shining jewels. 

The element associated with the manipura chakra is fire, and fire has the power to change/transform all that it contacts.  The fire “within” our solar plexus is able to turn the earth and water elements associated with the bottom two chakras (root and sacral chakras) into heat and gases, which are the elements of the higher chakras; the elements needed to transform our lives and reach the ultimate goal of complete and absolute freedom.   

When your manipura chakra is balanced and your bottom two chakras unblocked, you have the physical and spiritual strength, stability needed to begin the almighty process of transforming yourself into a confident, energetic and self-worthy person equipped to be open, loving, spontaneous, unique, powerful and charismatic.  The qualities or attributes you need to acquire to transform/mold your life and surroundings into your desired outcomes. 

Fire Meditation in Practice:

The solar plexus is the epicenter from which we are able to transform our lives and surroundings.  We can use the fire element of the manipura chakra to help us transform our present, mold the future and rid our minds of any past thoughts or experiences that are preventing us from becoming free to be ourselves and self-actualize. 

The fire meditation is a process whereby you tap into the all mighty energies of your solar plexus.  If done daily, it can help you change, transform and be yourself.

Preparation

1.  You will need:

• four or five candles
• a lighter or matches
• a large metal tray to place your candles on for safety reasons
• a pen and a small pad of paper

2.  Find a quiet location free from any distractions.

The Fire Meditation

1. Place your large metal tray of candles on the floor if you are going to sit on the floor with your legs crossed, or  on a table if you are going to sit in a chair.  You want to sit where you will be comfortable for about 20-30 minutes.


2. Sit in front of the lit candles with your back up right.


3. Next, place your hands on your knees with you palms up (see pic).  Put your hands in a Prithivi Mudra; you will bring your thumb and middle finger together; keeping the tips touching (see pic).
   


4. Now, feel the warmth , power and energy of the fire provide by the candles.  Take deep breaths as you bask in the energy of the fire.  
   
   
5. Next, think of a past negative or unpleasant event, relationship or recurring thought that is hindering your progress.  


6. Now, write down your unpleasant memory on a piece of paper, a brief summary is fine.  Carefully/cautiously hold a corner of the paper so that you are holding it over the flame of a candle.   Watch the fire begin to consume, burn, the opposite corner.  Watch as the flame transforms your past experience into ashes.  As it begins to burn, carefully drop it into the candle or on the large metal tray as it burns away into oblivion.  Allow yourself to feel unbound and free from the unpleasant experience that has been blocking you from progressing.  


7. Now do the same thing with a current, unpleasant situation, relationship or thought.  Write it down on a piece of paper.  Now think about your desired outcome of the current situation; do you want it to go away? Do you want to transform or change it?  Write down your desired outcome.  Now that you have the current situation and desired outcome written down on the same piece of paper,   carefully let the flame of a candle burn your negative experience and you give you the transformative power to change it!  As you slowly and carefully drop the piece of paper into the candle or metal tray, visualize yourself reaching your desired outcome.   Take a moment to wallow in your visualization. 


8. Next, think of your goals of the future.  What do you want to change or accomplish?  Choose one or two and write them down a piece of paper.  Now carefully, holding a corner, watch the opposite corner begin to burn and how the fire can transform it into reality.   Just as the fire transforms the paper into ashes, you have the power within your solar plexus to transform your goals into reality.    Visualize yourself reaching your goals as you drop the paper into the candle or on the metal tray.  


9. Lastly, as you stare into the flames, feeling the warmth and power of the fire, repeat the following positive affirmations:  

“I have the ability to transform my life.”

“I will reach my goals.”

“I accept myself.”

“I control my life.”

“My energy and zest for life gives me the power to have fulfilling relationships and reach my goals.”

“I am confident in my ability to change.”

“I have the courage to change.”

“Like the flame, I can get rid of unpleasant situations, transform current, unwanted realities and mold my future.”

“I love deeply.”

“I accept myself without fear of rejection.”

“I accept myself without fear of criticism.”

“I release my resistance to change.”

“ I will change and transform my life.”

  

Daily Yoga Exercise to Unleash the Power of your Manipura Chakra 

Uddiyana Bandha This is a crucial yoga exercise that you need to practice daily along with the fire meditation above to ensure you are tapping into the powerful prana/energies within your maipura chakra.  This exercise will allow you to send the highly powerful and transformative energy within your solar plexus up to your higher levels of Chakras. It will also allow you to awaken the fire within your solar plexus to begin your ultimate transformation
Description	Video Explanation
Stand with your feet about two feet apart (see below). (It you prefer to sit, see pic below and video to the right) Slightly bend your knees. Rest your hands on your thighs.   Next, deeply inhale through your nose; feel your stomach and diaphragm moving out and up.   Exhale forcefully through your mouth. Once you have completely emptied your lungs, draw your stomach and diaphragm in and up toward your lungs and throat.   Hold this position as long as you are comfortable, release and take a deep breathe through your nose.   Repeat 5- 10 times before of after your daily fire meditation.

Using Essential Oils and Flower Essences on a Daily Basis

Utilizing the wonderful powers within essential oils and flower essences on a daily basis can certainly help you maintain balance within your solar plexus ( manipura) chakra; your stronghold of your wonderful energies.   They can also help you unblock any energies trapped within.  Flower essences and essential oils are great because you can use them at home, on the go, at work or anywhere you may be.   There are certain oils and essences that work directly on your solar plexus chakra.  The main function of your solar plexus/ Manipura chakra is to really develop and utilize the wonderful powers you have within you to reach and realize your true ambitions.  Many of the oils listed below will help you control and properly utilize your emotions.  Learning to properly express and use your powerful emotions to help you reach your ultimate enlightenment/destination, is a powerful tool that a balanced solar plexus chakra can help you accomplish.    Please consult with your doctor before utilizing those listed below if you are ill or pregnant.

Flower Essences:	You can either place a few drops under your tongue as directed by the bottle or get a necklace or electronic diffuser.
Rose of Sharon	Helps you learn to properly express and release anger.  By properly expressing and releasing your anger, you will be one step closer to unleashing the wonderful powers of your solar plexus.
Buttercup	Helps you overcome negative and oppressive thoughts.  Helps you become confident in your great abilities to accomplish your desired life.
Mimulus	Helps to ease anxiety.  A calm and restful body and mind will help you drive wonderful, positive energy to your top chakras and move closer to complete happiness.
Essential Oils:	You can put  a few drops into bath water. Or get a necklace or electric diffuser and draw in the wonderful scents and benefits of the oils listed below.
Chamomile	Will help ease the tension that builds with anticipation in your solar plexus. Will help you calm your body and mind and be in the moment.
Juniper	Really helps you in potentially fearful situation to remain calm and within quality perspective.  Can really help you overcome the fear that has been built within your manipura chakra causing you to be stuck.
Peppermint	Can really help you balance your solar plexus/manipura chakra on a daily basis.  Is able to help you overcome feelings of hubris and really bring you back into a state of equilibrium.