Balance the navel chakra for personal power, focus, self-confidence, and more.

The third chakra – also known as the navel or solar plexus chakra, or the Manipura chakra – is the central chakra of the body, and it rules aspects of wisdom, self-confidence, and personal power. This chakra is also associated with the element of fire and the color yellow, and physically, it is believed to rule the digestive organs, the pancreas, and the adrenal glands.

A balanced navel chakra helps us to maintain healthy boundaries, and gives us self-confidence and clarity when making decisions. When this chakra is out of balance, we may suffer from digestive issues, weight gain, blood pressure or metabolic disorders, and fatigue.

Here are some other symptoms of an imbalanced Manipura chakra, according to Yoga Journal:

When the navel chakra is out of alignment, …it can manifest in the physical body and mind in a variety of ways, including:

• Improper processing of nutrients
• Constipation
• Irritable bowl syndrome
• Eating disorders
• Ulcers
• Diabetes
• Issues with the pancreas
• Liver disease
• Diseases of the colon

• Difficulty in skillful self-expression
• Aggressive, overly rigid, or controlling behavior
• Quick to anger
• A victim’s mentality
• Neediness
• Lack of direction
• Feeling afraid or lacking courage
• Poor self-esteem
• Feelings of stagnation or inertia

On the other hand, by balancing this chakra, you will feel empowered and become comfortable and familiar with your own inner power. You’ll also gain a deeper sense of your purpose and place in the world, and find meaning in how you can contribute to the world around you, even as you discover that true happiness comes from within.

Balancing the Navel Chakra

There are a number of yoga techniques you can use to help balance the navel or solar plexus chakra. Any twist pose is good for stimulating this area, as well as abdomen activating poses such as Boat Pose or Plank Pose. Kaphalabhati or Breath of Fire from the Kundalini yoga tradition is a great pranayama practice to help activate this energy center, and you can also try Uddiyana Bandha if you practice Ashtanga yoga.

Here’s a great navel chakra yoga sequence to help balance this important energy center.