The Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra in Kids

The energy center located in the upper abdomen behind the navel, above the waist and below the heart is the Solar Plexus Chakra. Manipure or Solar Plexus is the center of heat and vitality, the area of the body where food is transformed into energy. Manipura means "city of jewels". This chakra is depicted as a bright yellow lotus with ten petals. Within the lotus is a red triangle, representing the Fire element.

Emotionally this chakra deals with our will power and self-belief. It also deals with how we use our basic creative energies. The lessons stimulated in this area of the body support a child's development of a sense of purpose and the establishment of self-control. With the cultivation of self-control the child begins to accept responsibility for the type of person he/she is to become. When this chakra is balanced, a child respects himself and other people, is energetic, spontaneous, and loves seeing friends. If it is overactive, he may be angry, controlling, or just ill tempered and dominating. If it is underactive, he can be frightened, insecure, painfully shy, and in need of constant reassurance.

To balance the Solar Plexus Chakra, pratice Boat Pose, Bridge Pose, and Cat Pose. Other ways to balance this chakra are with guided imagery and positive affirmations.

Boat Pose

Bridge Pose

Cat/Cow Pose

   

In a yoga environment, each person is perfect as they are, and the difference between one person and the next is simply an observation of how unique we are. At Dragonfly Yoga, we often talk about how our yoga is as unique as we are. Each person is special and each person's yoga is special. My yoga does not look like your yoga and your yoga does not look like your friends yoga. Everyone is unique. For more information about Dragonfly Yoga classes, visit our website at:

• http://dragonflyyogakids.com