THE CHAKRA SYSTEM – PART 4 OF 8

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA – MANIPUR

This chakra is found between the sternum and the belly button and corresponds to the digestive system.  Its glands are the pancreas and the adrenals.  The pancreas is located near the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.  It secretes digestive enzymes to help break down food in order for it to be absorbed and utilised by the body (an exocrine function).  These enzymes include:

• Ÿ         amylase (for starches)
• Ÿ         proteases (for protein)
• Ÿ         lipase (for fats)

The pancreas also plays a very important role in the regulation of blood sugar through its endocrine function.  It contains specialised cells – the Islets of Langerhans – which secrete insulin and glucagon.  The former helps to lower the level of glucose in the blood by allowing it to move into the body’s cells and the latter raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen to glucose.

The body parts influenced by this chakra are:

• Ÿ         stomach
• Ÿ         small and large intestines

The colour of this chakra is yellow;
its sense is the sense of sight;
its element is fire
its function is the use of personal power, will and assertiveness.

The food for this chakra is starch.

It is strongly related to intention and transformation.  It is the most ‘exposed’ chakra in that it is not contained within any skeletal support.  The spine is there behind it, but there is nothing in front of it which is why we can sometimes feel uncomfortable when face-to-face with another as their will centre is directly facing ours.

It is here that we first feel shame but also how we learn to move beyond it.  It is also where we learn about power.  Having realised that there is ‘other’ we learn how to relate to them and how to assert our will.

If this chakra is open and balanced you will be confident and in control of your life, having a strong sense of your own power and how to use it in healthy ways.  You will want to use your power to help others and to make a difference in the world.

However if this chakra is out of balance you will tend to be bossy and domineering, needing to exert authority over others.  It can also lead to feeling like a victim, or feeling powerless as you give your power away in order to keep the peace.

Other problems in this area can lead to an inability to deal with stress and a feeling of ‘overload’.  It can also result in digestive issues.

Our energies can fluctuate during the day, and our chakras can be more or less open in any given situation depending on what ‘pushes our buttons’.

Why not take some time to pay attention to how you’re feeling — whereabouts in your body do you feel tension / pain / ease / lightness?

Are there repeating patterns in your life?  Do they serve you or do they leave you feeling stuck?

If any of this has resonated for you I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Please leave a comment or contact me if you’d like to ask any questions or discuss things further:

www.equenergy.com

07980 669303

robyn@equenergy.com

(This post was taken from my article on the chakras.  You can read the full text here)