Written by Joseph Berridge, Founder of Joga Yoga
The navel chakra, also called the belly button chakra, is the energy centre around the navel. In yoga it is Manipura, the third of the seven main chakras, linked to personal power, confidence and willpower. In Pranic Healing, the navel chakra is a separate chakra from the solar plexus.
Where is the navel chakra? Two systems, two answers
Searches for the navel chakra usually mean one of two things, depending on which tradition you are reading.
| Yoga and tantra (seven chakras) | Pranic Healing (11 major chakras) | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Manipura, the third chakra | Navel chakra, one of 11 major chakras |
| Location | The navel region. Many modern teachers place it slightly higher, at the solar plexus. | At the belly button itself |
| Relation to the solar plexus | Usually treated as the same centre | A separate chakra. The solar plexus chakra sits higher, below the ribs. |
| Main themes | Personal power, confidence, willpower and transformation | Mainly worked with in Pranic Healing treatments |
The Pranic Healing system was set out by Choa Kok Sui in his 1987 book, now titled Miracles Through Pranic Healing. If you are coming from yoga, this guide follows the yoga view, where the navel chakra and Manipura are the same centre. For a closer look at the solar plexus version, see our guide to the solar plexus chakra.
Understanding the key concepts of the navel chakra
Manipura means “city of jewels” in Sanskrit. In modern teaching it is associated with the colour yellow and the element of fire. That fire represents transformation and the power to act on your intentions.
In yoga philosophy the navel chakra is linked to personal power, confidence and decision-making. When it is described as balanced, you feel steady, clear-minded and able to act. Many traditions also describe the navel area as a centre of prana, or vital energy, which is one reason breathwork from the belly is so central to practices aimed at this chakra.
It is sometimes said that the kundalini energy rests at the navel. In most yoga traditions, kundalini is described as coiled at the base of the spine, at the root chakra, and rises through the navel chakra on its way up. Our guide to the kundalini snake explains the symbol.
Signs of an imbalanced navel chakra
In chakra teaching, an imbalanced navel chakra is associated with self-doubt, low confidence, indecision and difficulty asserting yourself. Some teachers also link it to digestive discomfort or low energy. These descriptions come from tradition rather than medical research. If you have ongoing abdominal pain or digestive symptoms, see a doctor.
When the chakra is described as balanced, the qualities are the opposite: healthy self-esteem, clearer decisions and better control over your reactions.
Belly button spiritual meaning
Across many cultures, the belly button is a symbol of origin, because it is where you were once connected to your mother. In yoga, it is treated as an energetic centre: the seat of Manipura and a focus point for breath and core work.
People also search for the spiritual meaning of an itchy or painful belly button. There is no fixed meaning in yoga tradition for these. Physical itching or pain at the navel is usually a skin or health matter, so see a doctor if it persists, swells, discharges or comes with fever.
How to activate and balance your navel chakra
Practices for the navel chakra focus on the core, the belly and the breath. Here are the main approaches used in yoga.
1. Yoga poses for Manipura chakra
Poses that engage the core or open the front of the body are the traditional choice.
| Pose | How to do it | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Pose (Paripurna Navasana) | Sit with legs straight. Lean back slightly and lift your feet, keeping your back long and your core engaged. | Bend your knees or skip it if you have back pain. |
| Plank Pose (Phalakasana) | Hold a straight line from head to heels with hands under shoulders and core engaged. | Drop to your knees if your lower back sags. |
| Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) | Step your feet wide, turn the front foot out, bend the front knee and extend your arms. | Keep the front knee over the ankle. Avoid with a recent knee injury. |
| Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) | From a wide stance, extend over the front leg and reach the lower hand toward the shin or a block. | Avoid if you feel dizzy or unsteady. |
| Gentle twists | Seated or lying twists that rotate around the belly. | Twist from the upper back and do not force the rotation. |
2. Breathing techniques
Energising breaths that pump the belly are traditionally linked to the fire of Manipura. Learn them from a teacher before practising alone. Our pranayama guide covers the techniques in more detail.
| Technique | How to do it | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Kapalabhati (skull shining breath) | Short, active exhales through the nose driven by the belly, with passive inhales. | Avoid if pregnant, or with high blood pressure, heart conditions or recent abdominal surgery. |
| Bhastrika (bellows breath) | Strong, even inhales and exhales through the nose using the diaphragm. | Same precautions as Kapalabhati. Stop if you feel dizzy. |
| Ujjayi (victorious breath) | Slow breaths through the nose with a slight narrowing at the back of the throat. | A gentle option for most people. |
Breath of Fire, used in Kundalini yoga, is a similar rapid belly breath. Our guide to Kundalini yoga and the chakras covers that tradition.
3. Meditation and affirmations
A simple navel chakra meditation is to sit with a straight spine, rest your attention just above the navel and picture a warm yellow light growing brighter with each inhale. Some people pair this with short affirmations such as “I am strong and capable,” “I trust myself” or “I am in control of my choices.” Our guide to yoga meditation covers the basics of sitting practice.
4. Crystals and essential oils
In crystal and aromatherapy traditions, citrine, amber and tiger’s eye are the stones most often linked to the navel chakra, and oils such as lemon, chamomile and lavender are popular. Use them if they help you focus. There is no scientific evidence that they act on chakras, and essential oils should be diluted before they touch skin.
Daily practices to keep the navel chakra balanced
Consistency matters more than intensity. A few minutes a day of core-based poses, a short breathing practice and a moment of focused attention at the navel is enough for most people. Notice the qualities the chakra is linked to, such as confidence and decisiveness, in everyday situations, not only on the mat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the navel chakra responsible for?
In yoga, the navel chakra, or Manipura, is associated with personal power, self-esteem, willpower and confidence in your decisions. It is the third of the seven main chakras.
Is the navel chakra the same as the solar plexus chakra?
In yoga’s seven-chakra system, they usually refer to the same centre, Manipura. In Pranic Healing, the navel chakra and the solar plexus chakra are two separate chakras.
How can I tell if my navel chakra is blocked?
Chakra teaching links a blocked navel chakra to low confidence, self-doubt and indecision. These are traditional descriptions rather than medical signs, so see a doctor for physical symptoms such as ongoing digestive problems.
What yoga poses are best for activating the navel chakra?
Core and front-body poses such as Boat Pose, Plank, Warrior II, Triangle and gentle twists are the traditional choices, often combined with belly-focused breathing.
Which crystals are linked to the navel chakra?
Citrine, amber and tiger’s eye are the crystals most often associated with the navel chakra in crystal healing traditions.
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