Digestion and the Third Chakra

​We’re continuing a short series on the endocrine system and its connection to the chakras in yoga. This post is about the third chakra known as Manipura in Sanskrit. It’s located between the navel and solar plexus. I think of it as a yellow band around the midsection of the body. This is the location of the digestive organs, so this fire chakra is associated with digestion of all kinds—food, thoughts and emotions. 

The endocrine gland for digestion is the pancreas, a fish-shaped organ that is about the size of a human hand. The two hormones it produces are insulin and glucagon. Since the job of the pancreas is to stabilize blood sugar, it releases insulin to lower blood sugar that is too high and releases glucagon to increase blood sugar that is too low.

The pancreas figures prominently in diabetes. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas is unable to make insulin to regulate blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas is unable to use insulin properly due to insulin resistance making blood sugar unstable.

As the very center of the body, the third chakra is nurtured by a variety of yoga poses and practices:

• Forward bending and back bending stimulate all the organs of digestion, but just be sure to do these at least an hour after eating: breathe in as you stand up and breathe out at you fold forward repeating several times, standing forward bend with the buttocks leaning against the wall, seated forward bend with a bolster over the legs so you can rest there awhile, any of your favorite back bends like sphinx, locust, cobra, bow and wheel.

• Twisting poses are especially stimulating to the digestive organs: standing, seated and lying down twists, especially half lord of the fishes and lying down belly twist.

• Meditation postures seated and lying down: If you’re having issues with food, such as craving carbs and sweets, making time every day to sit quietly for 5-10 minutes can help you discover what it is you’re really craving. Hint: It’s not food.

• Bellows breathing: From a supported seated position, breathe deeply into the belly, expanding and releasing the abdominal muscles with full, long breaths. 30 seconds, rest, 30 seconds more. If you get light-headed, you’re trying too hard.

• Relaxation: Stress is the greatest disruptor for the digestive system. Make time every day for 10-30 minutes of savasana, legs up the wall, or some other restorative yoga pose. Life always flows better when body, mind and breath are in sync.