Igniting Your Inner Fire: Exploring the Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra
by Billie Atherstone

Sanskrit Name: Maṇipūra — meaning “lustrous gem”
Element: Fire
Colour: Yellow — the colour of vitality, radiance, and confidence
Location: Solar plexus, above the navel and below the sternum
Governing areas: Digestive system, liver, pancreas, stomach, adrenals, and muscles
Developmental stage: 2 to 4 years — developing autonomy, will, and the right to act
Seed sound (Bīja Mantra): RAM
Themes: Power, will, self-confidence, transformation, vitality, and discernment
When balanced: You feel confident, self-assured, decisive, and capable of transforming intention into action.
When imbalanced: You may experience low self-esteem, lack of direction, passivity, frustration, anger, or a need to control.

The Fire Within

This energy centre governs our ability to be confident, assertive, and make decisions from a place of inner wisdom. It is the key to unlocking our personal power and building a strong sense of self.

Associated with the fire element (Agni), Manipura is the seat of transformation — the inner flame that fuels our digestion, metabolism, and vitality. This same fire digests not only the food we eat, but also our experiences and emotions. In a world full of constant stimuli, noise, and activity, it’s easy for our systems to become overloaded. We need a strong, steady Agni to metabolise these experiences into conscious action — to transform what we take in into something that serves our heart and mind.

When this fire is weak, we may feel stuck, heavy, or unable to move forward. When it burns too fiercely, we may feel irritable, controlling, or reactive.

Finding balance allows us to harness the transformative power of Samana Vayu, the pranic current that governs assimilation and integration — turning experience into wisdom, and energy into vitality.

Willpower, Discipline & Fierce Compassion

Discipline can sometimes sound like a harsh word, but in truth, it’s a profound act of self-love. In Buddhist teachings, there’s the concept of Fierce Compassion — the strength to hold boundaries and show up with clarity and care.

Our nervous system thrives on rhythm and regularity. Routine helps us feel safe and regulated. Through discipline, we create the container that supports our growth. I often say, “Sitting on the mat is the hardest part.” Because we know how hard it can be to carve out time for ourselves. It takes courage and self-respect to make it happen — to build our Agni and process the day’s experiences.

A daily yoga or meditation practice is like taking out the rubbish — it clears the residue of what we’ve absorbed, allowing space for renewal, clarity, and lightness.

Boundaries are also part of this discipline. Saying no — simply and without apology — protects our energy. Remember, ‘No’ is a full sentence. When we say yes to what feels bright and expansive (which can be scary), we align with life’s current. It’s not about saying yes to everything, but about listening — recognising when life is calling us forward and having the courage to respond.

The balance of these two is the expression of healthy Manipura — knowing when to stand firm, when to act, and when to surrender.

Purpose, Service & the Right Use of Power

When Manipura is strong and balanced, our energy naturally flows into purposeful action. Rather than being consumed by our emotions or personal stories, we begin to orient toward meaning and contribution.

True power isn’t about dominance — it’s about right use of energy, directed toward growth, healing, and service. Doing something for others, no matter how small, can profoundly shift our state. Acts of kindness and service strengthen the solar plexus and nourish our sense of purpose. A little goes a long way — every conscious act adds to the collective light.

Trauma & the Lower Triangle

The first three chakras — Muladhara, Svadhisthana, and Manipura — form what’s often called the Lower Triangle, the foundation of our character and habitual patterns.

  • Root (Muladhara): When ungrounded, we may feel unsafe in our body or anxious — often tied to early experiences of instability or abandonment. Decisions are made from fear or scarcity.

  • Sacral (Svadhisthana): Blockages here can manifest as emotional instability, depression, addiction, or difficulty accessing joy and pleasure.

  • Solar Plexus (Manipura): Trauma here affects our self-esteem and trust in our own power. We may give our power away, feel controlled by others, or become overly critical — of ourselves or the world around us.

Healing the lower triangle is essential for transforming trauma and building resilience. It reconnects us to safety, emotion, and empowerment — the foundations of wholeness.

The Iliopsoas: The Muscle of the Soul

The psoas connects the upper and lower body and plays a key role in both posture and emotional regulation. It’s directly linked to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) — the body’s fight-or-flight response. When we perceive threat, danger, or prolonged stress, the psoas instinctively contracts to protect, preparing us to run or defend ourselves.

Over time, when stress becomes chronic or unresolved, this muscle can remain in a state of tension, holding the imprint of our survival responses. In practice, as we begin to move, breathe, and release through the hips and pelvis, we may awaken these deep layers — sometimes sensing vulnerability, emotion, or subtle trembling as the body completes what was once interrupted.

Approach this area with curiosity and compassion. Ask yourself:
Do I brace to protect or resist?
Can I soften and allow my body to feel safe again?
What would it mean to move from protection to presence? 

In Practice

In Kundalini Yoga, the navel point — also called the hara or dantien — is the seat of Manipura. All movement begins here. When we move or chant, we initiate the flow of prana from the navel — awakening the body’s core power.

Building core strength and stability in this region helps anchor energy, strengthen the nervous system, and cultivate confidence. Through this centre, we connect to our inner fire — the will to act and the courage to be.

As you move, breathe, and meditate this week, you might reflect on:

  • What is my relationship to my belly and core?

  • Do I brace or soften here?

  • How do I express my power — through control or through clarity?

  • What does “right use of power” mean for me?

Affirmation for the Week:


I stand in my power, radiant and steady at my centre.

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Nourish Your Chakras & Keep the Momentum Going

Looking after your energy centers doesn’t have to stop with this blog — there are so many ways to continue your Spring Chakra Awakening journey:

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  • Move & Connect: Book a class this week to continue nurturing your practice.

  • Restore & Support: Book a treatment with our expert practitioners — acupuncture, massage, energy healing, or holistic bodywork — to nurture and harmonize your energy centers.

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