This episode originally aired in 2025 and, as one of our most-loved conversations, we're sharing it again with you today. Today Erin and Sasha continue the exploration of the chakras with Manipura - the third of the seven chakras - which translates as “the shining sacred jewel.” It is associated with the Fire element, the planet Mars, the color Yellow, and the “Ishta Devata” Hanuman. It is located just above the navel and below the sternum, at our solar plexus — also called the celiac plexus — which is a complex system of radiating nerves and ganglia. It is found in the pit of the stomach in front of the aorta. It is part of the sympathetic nervous system and plays an important role in the functioning of the stomach, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands. This chakra brings Prana to the digestive system, also known as our second brain. From a Western perspective, this is known and expressed as the gut-brain axis (or GBA) - the network of nerves and biochemical signals that connect the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It's a two-way communication system that helps maintain homeostasis. The vagus nerve is one of the main nerves that connects the brain and gut, sending signals in both directions. From a clinical perspective, the GBA can impact disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and memory loss. The GBA can also be linked to conditions like autism, obesity, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The Manipura chakra is directly linked to our sense of self, self-esteem, sense of purpose, the seat of clear decisive action, vision, dynamic action, assertiveness, discipline, determination, passion, deepest willingness to go beyond, strong will power, courage, resilience, and vitality. When balanced, there is energy and insight, will power and and follow-through, self-reliance, vitality and health. It can only be as balanced as the first 2 chakras. When imbalanced, there is a state of self-doubt, fear, insecurity, wanting, anger, blame, victimhood, depression, and lethargy. Positive affirmations, yoga postures that engage the core such as bow pose, cobra pose, or revolved triangle pose, and kapalabhati pranayama (or breath of fire) help strengthen Manipura when it is weak. We also get into ways of balancing an overactive Manipura, as Pitta-type individuals are prone to over exercising, overworking, and burnout. We hope today’s conversation illuminates the ways in which we can reclaim and maintain our personal power, and that it is not as much a process of creating it, as it is discovering that which has always been there and removing what blocks us from experiencing it. Send us Fan Mail This episode is brought to you by Ojas Oasis Ayurveda, Sasha's private clinical practice. Schedule a 30-minute strategy session here. For 10% off Kerala Ayurveda, use code OjasOasis. For 20% off GarryNSun, code OJASOASIS20. For 10% off Ora Cacao, code OjasOasis10. Support the show To learn more about working with us, please visit www.OjasOasis.com Connect with us @ojasoasis on Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube
