Name: Manipura the jewel in the navel,
navel chakra

Location behind the navel
in the body: spinal column

Affects: pancreas breathing, deep breathing,
solar plexus, will
digestion, activity level

Unbalanced: breathing problems, depression, anxiety,
liver problems, lack of self-confidence
food, allergies, feeling that others control you,
diabetes or: megalomania,
gallstones, over-intellectual, demanding,
digestive problems, perfectionist
workaholic

Colour: yellow

Element: fire

Mantra: RAM

Stones: citrine, malachite, turquoise,
pyrite,

Statement: I will

This chakra is associated with the ego and with the sun - it is also the main digestive centre,
and I associate it in every way with warmth. - A good tip when you're cold or having trouble
getting warm: Imagine you're lying on a beach naked in the sun. You're relaxing (as best as you
can, if you're cold...). Visualise soaking up all the sun's rays through your belly button - you're collecting them all
here as if through a magnifying glass, and when you put your hand on your belly in a moment, you'll feel it
glow and become completely soft. Then visualise that the warmth you attract through your navel spreads outwards
outwards like rings in the water with your navel as the centre, and in this way the heat spreads outwards throughout your
body. It's a wonderful feeling, and it always works!

This is the chakra for deep relaxation and being able to breathe deeply with your stomach, and this is where the yellow colour can
help. If, due to tension or anxiety, you feel your diaphragm clenching and it's difficult to
to draw a deep belly breath, place a yellow stone on your navel (solar plexus) chakra. Yellow in clothing
and in your surroundings can also have the same positive effect. If you have digestive problems, it may be a good idea to have
a yellow tablecloth on the dining table or yellow colours in the dining room. Yellow has a relaxing effect (on most people), and within various yoga systems, yellow is considered a colour of happiness and harmony. It's no coincidence that Buddhist and Hindu monks wear yellow and/or orange!

The third chakra is also considered to be the centre of our intelligence and therefore in many ways
controlled by the conscious part of our consciousness (mind). Therefore, there are many who believe that the 3rd chakra
is only active while we are awake. This is where we find our "personal power", our own personal power and will centre, and it is from here that we project our own will out into the world. Do you have trouble realising what you want and what you have decided to do, it may be worthwhile to work a little with this chakra,
(and if you have terrible problems getting hold of your willpower, you can invoke the fire god Mars
as well!).

In this chakra you will also find the centre of chi, the life force or life energy, which is used in all Eastern martial arts and training methods (e.g. karate, judo, tai chi, chi gong etc.), so this chakra is also relates to physical skills.

Often it can be enough just to concentrate your awareness on this chakra for a little while before you feel your stomach start to get warm and the chakra starts to pulsate. I was about to say: that's a lovely chakra!

Citrine
We don't have many yellow stones (available), but a beautiful stone that is not so hard to get
is citrine. It's a crystal with colours ranging from pale yellow to brown, and it can be nice to have
glittering in the living room for decoration. I find that it has an energising effect. Otherwise, it's perfect for the
the third chakra, and to get the full effect it is best to place it directly on (above) this chakra. This
stone can help you to connect directly with your own power centre and will centre, and with
with your special ability or gift in this life, and with the power/will to utilise it.
And this is very important for you to feel whole, to be able to realise and use what you have!

Citrine can also help with digestion and help you to breathe deeply and relaxed (when you get that
wheezing at the beginning of an asthma attack, it should help to place a small polished citrine under your tongue.

It can also be used to "recharge" or energise massage oils.

Malachite
Other stones with different colours can also have an effect on this chakra, due to their
special properties of these stones. If you place a malachite over your solar plexus, it can help to draw
up and out old and buried emotional pain, (but then you must also be prepared to deal with the tears that
that often come with it!).

The essence of Malachite is joy. Katrina Rafaell says it can also be used to remove physical pain.
It is then placed on the painful spot and should preferably be so that it covers the painful area.
Those with an eye pattern are said to be the most effective. For nausea and motion sickness, it is placed over the solar
plexus. When it has been used for healing purposes, it should be properly cleansed and allowed to recharge for a
a while.

Turquoise
Turquoise should only be mentioned briefly in this context. But it can be especially good for people who
are afraid to use their own power, their own strength, their own will (turquoise in your belt is not bad!).
has a balancing and harmonising effect. It should also have a protective effect when going through
an operation.