Everything You Need To Know About The Solar Plexus Chakra
Imagine that you have your own inner sun within you – you solar energy point. This is your solar plexus chakra that’s located in your solar plexus area.
If you wonder what the solar plexus chakra represents for you in your life, here’s everything you need to know about this important energy center.
What Is The Function Of The Solar Plexus Chakra?
The solar plexus functions as the center of energy associated with ego or your self-identity. It’s the seed of your personal power, self-belief, and self-worth.
On top of that, it’s the foundation of your self-reliance.
What does it mean?
It means that with the balanced solar plexus chakra, you trust your inner guidance without questioning and follow your intuition without hesitation.
And what’s more important, is that you don’t need anyone’s approval or validation when it comes to your decisions, small or big.
On a larger scale, you unapologetically and courageously pursue your goals and aspirations in life.
The Sanskrit word for the solar plexus is Manipura, or “shining gem”.
This chakra is represented as being a vivid golden yellow in color. Like a ray of sunshine, the glow of the solar plexus chakra lights your path and warms your body with the glow of self-confidence.
The solar plexus chakra empowers you to follow and not be distracted from your true path.
The Solar Plexus Chakra Is The Seed Of Your Personal Power.
It’s important to distinguish that personal power doesn’t imply power over others.
It implies self-mastery – the ability to master your thoughts and emotions, overcome any fear, and take appropriate action in any situation with courage and determination.
To summarize, the solar plexus chakra is linked to the following psychological and behavioral functions:
- Expression of will, core values and virtues
- Intellectual abilities
- Personal power
- Ability to realize ideas and plans
- Ability to master your instincts, thoughts, and emotions
- Self-determination and self-reliance
- Strong boundaries
- Dedication on your path
- Self-trust and inner guidance
- At higher levels, it conveys wisdom
Chakra Key Elements
Location: Above your navel and below your sternum, in the solar plexus area; it is the third chakra from the bottom in the traditional system counting 7 chakras
Color: Yellow (or golden yellow)
Symbol: A circle with 10 petals in which is inscribed a downward-pointing triangle
Original name in Sanskrit: Manipura
Element: Fire
Interconnection with body: digestive system, pancreas.
Solar plexus chakra healing stones: Citrine, tiger’s eye, yellow tourmaline
Essential oils: Chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, rosemary are amongst the most popular soothing oils
The Symbolism Of The Solar Plexus Chakra
The main elements of the Solar Plexus chakra symbol are:
- A circle with ten petals
- An downward-pointing triangle
The inverted triangle depicts the fire as the transformative power of the solar plexus chakra. It’s the fuel that transmutes matter into energy that empowers you to move forward on your path with inner strength and courage.
The ten petals are often represented with the color blue, like the blue color of the flame.
Manipura
The most common Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus chakra is Manipura, which means “shining gem”, “city of jewels” or “seat of gems”.
Here are the list of the solar plexus chakra names:
- The third chakra
- Solar Plexus chakra
- Manipura
- Manipurak
- Nabhi (navel)
- The “power chakra”
Blocked Vs. Activated Solar Plexus Chakra
The main function of this energy center is to provide actual momentum to move forward and realize personal desires and intentions in the world.
It plays a fundamental role in the development of personal power. It fuels your intentionality, your direction in life, and the actions you are to take in order to reach your goals. That’s why it has a great impact on your pursuit of social status and self-image.
So when it comes to a balanced solar plexus chakra, it is the balance of your personal power and self-reliance and harmonious relationships with others.
Therefore, when it’s out of balance, you might be struggling with pursuing your life goals, making decisions and trusting your inner guidance without seeking validation from others.
Also, Imbalances in the solar plexus chakra can manifest as an excessive control and authority over your environment and people, being manipulative and intrusive.
When your Solar Plexus Chakra is blocked you…
- Feel powerless or victimized
- Give your power away in pursuit of validation and acknowledgement
- Misuse your power, impose your beliefs, manipulate others to meet your interests
- Find it difficult to take actions on your dreams
- Have a low self-esteem
- Suffer from stomach pains and anxiety
When your Solar Plexus Chakra is open you…
- Have a strong sense of your own power and how to use it in healthy ways
- Admire others with power and influence and choose to emulate people who are
- Want to use your power and influence for good in the world
- Trust your intuition and inner guidance
- Don’t feel need in other people’s confirmation and validation
- Being assertive
- Exert your will in a way that leads to the expected results somewhat effortlessly
- Have harmonious relationships with your surrounding
7 Ways To Open The Solar Plexus Chakra
The key to a balanced solar plexus chakra is in finding an equilibrium between your personal power and self-reliance and your relationships with others.
Remember, that it’s that “shining gem”, your inner sun within you that propels you through any external circumstances and fuels your life goals and aspirations.
And at the same time, on the collective level, you seek to build harmonious relationships with other people without violating their integrity.
Here are simple ways to strengthen this energy centre:
- Practice yoga
- Eat yellow foods such as bananas, corn, grains
- Drink herbal teas
- Wear yellow and introduce yellow accents into your home environment
- Encourage yourself to step out of your comfort zone by changing your daily routines
- Make decisions for yourself without seeking advice from others
- Practice mindfulness
- Step out from your comfort zone
- Adjust your posture by standing tall with your shoulders open
- Speak up without questioning yourself
- Have open eye contact with people
- Smile more
How Do You Meditate On The Solar Plexus Chakra?
By concentrating your attention on healing this chakra, you can overcome indecisiveness, lack of trust in your own inner guidance, and low self-esteem.
To meditate on your third chakra, bring energy up from the heart of the earth through your root and sacral chakras first, then allow it to fill in your upper abdomen, igniting your inner sun.
Imagine a ball of golden yellow energy lighting up your solar plexus area, getting larger with every inhale.
Imagine this ball of light rotating in a clockwise position, 360 degrees, and getting larger, until you feel the slight tingle in your upper abdomen. Recite this affirmation:
“I trust my intuition and guidance, and follow it wherever it leads me without question and hesitation.”
Specific chakra meditations often make use of mudras, mantras, and chakra jewelry to help balance and restore the flow of energy.
Give meditation a try to focus your efforts and release any stagnant, stuck energy in your solar plexus.
Do you have any chakra healing tips you’d like to share with us?
Achieve Perfect Balance In Life By Unblocking Your 7 Chakras
Ever felt you weren’t good enough?
Having trouble with your finances? Or maybe you feel like something’s off (but you don’t know what)?
These could be symptoms of a blocked chakra.
Blocked chakras create a lot of imbalance in our minds, bodies, and spirit. Consequently, all other aspects of our lives – like our finances, relationships, career, and health – also start to suffer.
Thankfully, we can unblock our chakras and restore the flow of celestial energy in our bodies.
Once our energies flow naturally, we’ll be able to break the cycle of pain, frustration and anxiety. We’ll start to lead a more balanced, whole, and fulfilled life.
Chakra Healing: How To Open Your Solar Plexus Chakra
Do you often feel insecure? Do you have trouble setting boundaries with people? Do you consider yourself a “people please”? Do you constantly seek approval from others?
On the other hand, maybe you have an overly domineering personality. Do you find yourself bullying others? Do you tend to manipulate people to get what you want?
These signs point to an imbalanced solar plexus chakra. Healing the third chakra will improve self-esteem, release the need to control others, and restore a sense of purpose,
What Is a Chakra?
Chakra, which means wheel in Sanskrit, refers to spinning wheels of energy located along the spine. Hindus and Buddhists believe that the chakras represent the areas in the body where the spiritual and physical come together. Each chakra rotates at different speeds, which determines their frequency and color.
The chakras also relate to the physical and emotional aspects of our being. When in balance, we feel healthy and at peace. When blocked, chakras can cause emotional and physical distress. Connecting with our chakras helps us maintain harmony throughout the mind, body, and soul and learn when it’s time to heal parts of ourselves.
The Solar Plexus, or Manipura, refers to the third chakra. It spins in the area around the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone. Meaning “lustrous gem” in Sanskrit, the Manipura chakra provides a source of personal power and relates to self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation.
The Solar Plexus Chakra at a Glance
Name in Sanskrit: Manipura meaning lustrous gem
Location: In the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Signs of balance: Confident, motivated, purposeful, reliable, responsible
Signs of imbalance: Aggression, overly dominating toward others, low self-esteem
When the solar plexus chakra is in balance, a person exudes confidence (without being arrogant), feels self-motivated, and has a sense of purpose. When out of balance, someone may suffer from low self-esteem, have trouble making decisions, and have control issues.
Imbalances of the solar plexus can also manifest in the physical body such as fatigue, overeating, excessive weight around the stomach, and digestive system disorders such as IBS, ulcers, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.
Opening the Solar Plexus Chakra
Burn Manipura incense and essential oils.
Aromatherapy has the power to awaken our sense of personal power. To open the solar plexus, burn fiery incense and essential oils like saffron, musk, sandalwood, ginger, and cinnamon.
Repeat positive affirmations about personal power.
By repeating affirmations, either out loud, in our heads, or by writing them down, we help reverse negative thought patterns and replace them with constructive ones. Change the script by repeating affirmations like:
- As I take on new challenges, I feel calm, confident, and powerful.
- I feel motivated to pursue my purpose.
- I am ambitious and capable.
- I forgive myself for past mistakes, and I learn from them.
- The only thing I need to control is how I respond to situations.
- I have the courage to create positive change in my life.
- I stand in my personal power.
Practice postures that balance the solar plexus chakra
Practicing yoga postures with mindful breathing helps release tension in the solar plexus, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The warrior poses build confidence and align the third chakra. Sun salutations warm up the body and connect with the fiery energy of the sun. Boat pose is another excellent posture for strengthening the abdominal muscles, balancing digestion, and bringing a sense of personal empowerment.
Heal from the past
Many of our past traumas become stored in the body and continue to affect thought patterns and behaviors. People who have experienced a strict upbringing, bullying, or authoritarian parents, or those who have suffered mental or physical abuse tend to have difficulty balancing the third chakra. Therapy, support from loved ones, and other healthy activities can help begin the path to healing from the past and restoring balance to the solar plexus chakra.
The Solar Plexus Chakra
Radiate your power in the world,” could say the solar plexus chakra. Characterized by the expression of will, personal power, and mental abilities, the energy of the third chakra or Manipura in Sanskrit is mobilized when we assert ourselves in the world. Discover its key characteristics and how to make the most of this powerful energy center.
Introducing the Solar Plexus or Manipura chakra
Let’s start by exploring the basics, including the location, color, and symbol of the solar plexus chakra. Then, we are going to look at possible signs of imbalance in the third chakra and what to do to heal your solar plexus center and restore its balance to its optimal state.
Chakra Key Elements
First, we’re going to look at the Solar Plexus chakra basics:
- Location: In the solar plexus area (upper part of the belly, where your diaphragm rests); it is the third chakra from the bottom in the traditional system counting 7 chakras
- Color: Yellow (higher frequencies of this chakra can turn into golden yellow)
- Symbol: A circle with 10 petals in which is inscribed a downward-pointing triangle
- Original name in Sanskrit: Manipura
- Element: Fire
Additional elements used in modern energy healing practices are healing crystals and aromatherapy. If you’re curious, here’s a list of the most common ones:
- Solar Plexus chakra healing stones: Citrine, tirger’s eye, yellow tourmaline
- Essential oils: Chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, rosemary are amongst the most popular soothing oils
Main Chakra Meanings
The main meanings associated with the third chakra are:
- Will, personal power
- Taking responsibility for one’s life, taking control
- Mental abilities, the intellect
- Forming personal opinions and beliefs
- Making decisions, setting the direction
- Clarity of judgments
- Personal identity, personality
- Self-assurance, confidence
- Self-discipline
- Independence
When the Solar Plexus chakra is open and the energy in this center is balanced, these functions naturally find a clear and effortless outlet. However, in case the flow of energy is disturbed, whether because the Manipura chakra is overactive or blocked, symptoms may range from energetic and emotional to physical.
Chakra Element: Fire
The Manipura chakra is traditionally related to the element of fire, though some contemporary healing movements connect it to the element of air. It has a connection with the sun, heat, the energy of light, all forms of power.
Chakra Color: Yellow
The Solar Plexus chakra is most commonly represented with the color yellow. Since it’s associated with the element of fire, it is also sometimes depicted with yellowish red.
Chakra Location: Solar Plexus
The most commonly accepted location for the third chakra is at the solar plexus level, between the navel and the lower part of the chest. That’s why it’s often referred to as the “solar plexus chakra.” Some traditions place it more loosely in the navel area.
Closely connected to the digestive system, especially the gastric and hypogastric plexi, its main function is to help transform matter into energy to fuel your body. It governs metabolism and is commonly associated with the pancreas.
Chakra Symbol
The main elements of the Solar Plexus chakra symbol [LINK] are:
- A circle with ten petals
- An downward-pointing triangle
The inverted triangle represents the fire element and the transformative power of this energy center. Fire turns matter into energy that can be used to propel, move forward. The ten petals are often represented with the color blue, like the blue color of the flame.
What does Sanskrit name “Manipura” mean?
The most common Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus chakra is “Manipura”, which means “city of jewels” or “seat of gems”.
The third chakra is also referred to as:
- Solar Plexus chakra
- Manipura
- Manipurak
- Nabhi
- The “power chakra”
The word “nabhi” can be translated as “navel”.
What the Solar Plexus chakra is known for
The Solar Plexus chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioral functions:
- Expression of will
- Intellectual abilities
- The “accounting mind” that categorizes everything, assesses the pluses and minuses in life
- Personal power
- Ability to establish ideas and plans into reality
- At higher levels, it conveys wisdom
The main function of this energy center is to provide actual momentum to move forward and realize personal desires and intentions in the world. It plays a fundamental role in the development of personal power. It feeds one’s direction in life and the actions taken in order to reach your goals. It influences preoccupations about social status and self-image.
Signs your Solar Plexus chakra may be out of balance
On one side, a balanced solar plexus chakra makes it easy to find balance between your personal power and harmonious relationships with others; on the other side, an imbalanced third chakra could undermine your self-esteem and social life.
When the Solar Plexus chakra is balanced, you may:
- Be assertive
- Exert your will in a way that leads to the expected results somewhat effortlessly
- Have harmonious relationships with your surrounding
Imbalances in the third chakra can manifest as:
- Excessive control and authority over your environment and people
- Or the opposite in case of deficiency or blocked energy: Feeling of helplessness, irresponsibility
- Being obsessed with minute details, seeing life through a filter of plus and minuses while losing sight of the whole picture
- Being manipulative
- Misusing your power
- Lack of clear direction, lack of purpose or ambition
- Making plans or having a lot of ideas without finding efficient ways to realize them