Manipura (3rd Chakra), Solar Plexus, Fire Element

Manipura chakra is located 2 inches above the naval and it represents the fire element in our body "fire in the belly". It is represented by the color Yellow. When awareness rises to manipura (solar plexus) chakra, you may feel more firm, strong, enduring, active, in-charge, responsible, creative, and powerful. By keeping this chakra open, we can strenghten our will power, our determination to take action. Creates assertiveness, and motivation to work, but if this energy center is too strong, it might bring righteous indignation or hyper quality. Do not spend too long practicing this breathing technique

Fire Breath: when meditating on this chakra to open the energy flow is to inhale from the mouth through a small opening, like your are sipping the air (feels like cool air entering your body), exhale out through the nose (feels like hot air is exiting your body). You can visualize the sun, glowing coals, crackling fire, bright light or feel warmth. Do not spend too long practicing this breathing technique.

Svadhisthana (2nd chakra), Sacral Chakra, water element

Located 1 inch below the naval, this energy center represents the water element. It is recommended to visualize the color Orange and a water fall, a quiet lake, the ocean, or any other favorite water image when meditating on this specific energy center. Because of its location, this chakra represents healthy energy.

Water Breath: in through the nose and out through the mouth, blow out gently through the mouth. Exhalations will be longer than the inhalation. Water breath promotes patience, tolerance, and strength.

Muladhara (1st Chakra), root or base of the spine, Earth element

Root Chakra or Muladhara: Usually associated with the color RED, and the earth elements, you might choose to visualize soil, rocks, mountain, sand, meadow, etc when meditating on this chakra. This chakra is located at the base of the spine and aids us in our ability to survive and adapt, and ground ourselves. This area once opened is also considered to give us the stability we need to endure the trials of our everyday lives. When this chakra is blocked it makes us afraid of change but once opened will open us up to the beauty and wondrous opportunities that life has to offer. Usually red color is associated with this chakra.

EARTH BREATH: For purification of the root chakra, sit in an upright position (sitting towards the front part of the sitting bones), and start with awareness of the Muladhara chakra. Breathe gently in and out throught the nose; noticing breath entering the nostrils and moving through the entire body, filling you as if it is seeping into all the spaces between your particles; settling, sifting, sinking through your physical form concentrating on the Muladhara chakra. Inhalation goes in from the nose all the way down to the base of the spine and the exhalation comes back up from the base of the spine and out through the nose again. You might feel denser, more solid, grounded. Visualize soil, rock, cliff, mountain, meadow, sand, or any other pleasing earth element or form.

Use the "earth breath" if you feel spaced, fragmented, unable to focus, or scattered. It can create grounded, stable, focus and a centered feelings.