Cleanse and purify your body in this intermediate/advanced vinyasa yoga Manipura flow class.

Join Clara and the students of Lila Vinyasa Yoga for a warrior themed class that focuses on the third chakra at the solar plexus, Manipura. A warrior is full of the willingness to fight for one’s beliefs, symbolic of strength, and integrity.

Style: Vinyasa

Duration: 22-min

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Props: N/A

Focus: Solar Plexus

Location: Stretch, Vancouver BC

The third chakra, Manipura, means lustrous gem and is the power center where the will and fire live. This class lights up the inner fire- the Agni – through Kapalabhati breathing (skull shining breath).

Kapalabhati is a breathing exercise to purify, rejuvenate, and invigorate the mind and body, helping to release negativity or any sluggish and/or static energy.

You’ll also explore the bija seed mantra for Manipura, which is Ram. Place your hands on your solar plexus and join Clara and the Lila Vinyasa students to chant Ram twenty-one times. Chanting the bija seed mantra will widen the mind through the power of vibration, assisting the ability to transform and digest our experiences.

Begin your Manipura flow in with a flowing kriya in Anjaneyasana (high crescent lunge): inhale, reach the hands upwards and exhale, bring fists to hips and bend the back knee. Each time you exhale sharply say “HA” to purge and purify the energy of the body through the breath. Core exercises on the back with a block anchored between the thighs bring the focus and awareness to the solar plexus for yogi-style sit-ups.

Release the abdominal exercises with a flowing Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (bridge pose) and take Supta Matsyendrasana (reclined spinal twist) or any reclined twist of choice.

Close your practice in seated meditation or savasana and breathe into your solar plexus, Manipura chakra. Envision a flame and connect to the ball of light that you feed this light with your breath.