The Solar Plexus chakra, also known as Manipura in Sanskrit, is the third chakra in the traditional system counting seven chakras. It is located in the upper abdominal region where the diaphragm rests and is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire.
Of all of the chakras, most people’s solar plexus chakra tends to be the most out of balance as it rules the personality and will power, among other very important attributes.
Attributes Associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra
- Independence
- Will power
- Identity
- Personality
- Self-confidence
- Formation of personal opinions and beliefs
- Clarity of judgment
- Decision-making
- Self-discipline
Physical Connection
The physical connection of the solar plexus chakra is with the stomach and digestive system. This means that having an imbalance in this chakra can cause a variety of digestive issues such as IBS, acid reflux, indigestion, heartburn, gastric ulcers, gas, bloating, etc.
This chakra also governs metabolism and energy and is connected with the pancreas. Meaning that developing type II diabetes can be associated with a major imbalance in this region.
Symptoms of Imbalance
Deficiency
- Anxiety/ excessive worry
- Excess weight around the midsection
- Overeating/ overindulgence
- Digestive issues – frequent gas, indigestion, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
- Have issues regulating body temperature
- Sluggishness
- Chronic fatigue
- Laziness
- Low self-esteem
- Lacking in confidence
- Inability to successfully carry out plans or ideas
- Difficulty making sound decisions
- Have a hard time setting boundaries with others
- Feel the constant need for approval from others
- Uncomfortable in your own skin
Excess
- Inflated sense of self (big ego)
- Boisterous
- Tends to look puffed out, or barrel-chested
- Overly confident
- Overly Assertive
- Dominating – tend to be a bully
- Struggle with addictions
- Tends to be a control freak
- Constantly complaining about everything
- No sense of accountability—always blaming others
- Uses passive-aggressiveness to get their own way
- Overly sarcastic
- Has difficulty with authority
Do any of these symptoms resonate with you? Do you fall in the deficient category or excessive? It is also entirely possible that you fall somewhere in between and have qualities of both.
What is it Like to Have a Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra?
When your third chakra is balanced and healthy you will finally feel comfortable in your own skin and be more at peace with yourself. You no longer worry so much about what other people think about you because you are confident in every aspect of your life (without having an inflated ego).
Decision making will suddenly become much easier and you will have more get-up-and-go to check off your to-do lists. Tackling projects will be exciting and come easy to you.
You find you have more tolerance for things and people that used to annoy you, as you realize that it is not up to you to change them. You choose less battles to fight, saving your precious energy for things that are more in line with your way of thinking.
Restoring balance to your solar plexus chakra helps to overcome digestive and intestinal issues. It will also be easier to reduce the size of your tummy by indulging less, strengthening the core, and having the will to move your body more. With the blockages out of the way, your midsection will finally have the space to reduce in size.
12 Ways You Can Heal Your Solar Plexus Chakra
1. Get to the root of it.
First and foremost, it is most important to uncover the root cause of the imbalance. Why do you lack confidence? Is there something from your past that has held you back? Was there a trauma in your life that caused you to hold onto excessive worry and anxiety?
Or, maybe you feel as though you lean more toward excess. Why do you feel as though you have to be in control of every aspect of your life and of those around you? What exactly causes you to feel irritable and aggressive towards others? Make a list so that you can release them one at a time.
There can be a number of reasons as to why you have developed blockages in this chakra. Give yourself some time and space to meditate on the symptoms that you have and see if you can uncover whatever the root cause may be.
2. Visualization
Find yourself a comfortable place to lie down. Take a few long, deep breaths and try to clear your mind of the day’s worries. Feel yourself rising to a higher vibration, connecting you to the universe and your higher Self.
Close your eyes and imagine with your mind’s eye white, healing light pouring over your from the universe like a waterfall. Starting from the top of your head, allow this light to permeate every cell of your body.
Feel the warmth. Feel the vibrations buzzing through you to the core. (It’s ok if you don’t feel anything at all at first)
Rest your hands on your solar plexus, turning your attention to this area. Now imagine the light turning a beautiful shade of golden yellow and flooding your abdominal region.
What do you feel? Can you feel any blockages? Are your abdominal muscles clenched, or are you puffing out your chest and upper abdomen?
Imagine your rib cage separating from your center, your sides expanding with every breath. Feel your abdomen release and drop to the floor. Notice the separation between your upper abdomen and lower abdomen and imagine your stomach elongating, creating space in the vertebrae of your spine.
Fill that newly opened space with air from each long inhale. When the stomach can expand no more, hold that breath there for a few seconds.
Slowly release the breath. Feel the stomach return to the earth as you slowly exhale until your lungs are completely empty.
Repeat this breathing technique while you imagine that the golden light is blasting each blockage into a million tiny pieces. These pieces swirl around your solar plexus chakra, then dissolve into the bright yellow light.
Now, send it back up into the universe like a beam of light shooting out of your solar plexus into the sky. Surrender it. Be free of all that was holding you back.
Fill your entire body with the white, cleansing light again, and sit with any new sensations that you may feel.
It is absolutely ok if this exercise doesn’t fully heal your solar plexus the first few times. Remember, it took a lifetime to build-up your blockages, so you can’t expect them to disappear instantaneously. Keep practicing.
3. Affirmations
4. Work on your core.
The Solar Plexus Chakra rules the abdomen. When there is an imbalance it manifests as bad posture as a result of curling in on oneself, as if protecting the vulnerable gut. You may also notice tight muscles, spasms, a protruding belly, and a closed rib cage.
Working on balancing the core and improving posture can quicken the healing process by releasing the abnormal holding patterns.
Pilates is a wonderful way to simultaneously lengthen and tone your abdominal muscles. Try adding these five exercises to your regular exercise routine.
Yoga is another excellent form of exercise that allows you to release tension and strengthen your core. Try the following stretches at home:
Always follow backbends with a forward fold pose. This also allows you to focus on creating space in the vertebrae and allowing to let your rib cage hang freely from your hips.
Remember to only do what your body will allow you to do. Never try to force any of these poses – just let your body naturally fall into what feels best. If you have a spinal injury, it is best to avoid harsh back-bends and twists.
5. Prana Yama – Breath of Fire
The element associated with the solar plexus chakra is fire. Creating heat in the abdomen with the “Breath of Fire” Prana Yama technique is the perfect way to get the energy flowing in this area.
6. Healing Crystals
Adding healing crystals to your meditation or visualization exercises is an excellent way to amplify your healing process. Try using the following crystals and check the link above to learn more about placement.
Don’t be daunted by complex crystal placements. Just using one crystal at a time will help you achieve amazing benefits.
- Amber
- Citrine
- Golden Labradorite
- Prasiolite
- Pyrite
- Tiger’s Eye
- Yellow Aventurine
- Yellow Calcite
- Yellow Fluorite
7. Aromatherapy
While you are doing the above visualization and physical exercise, you can switch on your essential oil diffuser and add one or a blend of the following essential oils:
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Clary Sage
- Myrrh
- Fennel
- Coriander
- Black pepper
- Cedarwood
- Geranium
- Cypress
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Petitgrain
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
- Ylang ylang
Before using any essential oils, it is always best to check for any contraindications with any existing conditions that you may have, pregnancy, allergies, or interactions with medications.
8. Herbal Teas
The best way to consume medicinal herbs is usually by making herbal teas.
Follow the link above to learn the best way to brew your tea using one or a blend of the following herbs:
- Chamomile
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Dandelion leaf/root
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Meadowsweet
Before consuming any herbs, it is always best to check for any contraindications with any existing conditions that you may have, pregnancy, allergies, or interactions with medications.
9. Consume more yellow foods.
As silly as it sounds…. adding more of the following yellow foods and spices to your diet can help the process of healing your solar plexus chakra:
- corn
- pineapple
- bananas
- yellow peppers
- squash
- beans
- oats
- brown rice
- millet
- sorghum
- quinoa
- sunflower seeds
- turmeric
- ginger
10. Surround yourself with yellow.
There are many ways you can add more of the color yellow to your life.
- Try adding more yellow pieces to your wardrobe.
- Buy some yellow flowers like roses, sunflowers, daisies, etc. and scatter them in vases around your house.
- Even better, go frolic in a field of sunflowers for a while.
- Paint a wall yellow.
- Add some pops of yellow to your decor with throw blankets and decorative pillows.
- Find some lovely pieces of locally made art that feature beautiful shades of yellow.
- Eat off of yellow plates.
- Drink out of yellow cups.
Whatever you can find that is yellow and makes you feel happy, add it to your surroundings.
11. Conquer your lists.
When someone is deficient in the Solar Plexus Chakra, getting through a to-do list can seem almost impossible. As you are working through healing your solar plexus chakra, make it a point to conquer your lists. You will feel so much better when you see everything all checked off!
12. Get out of your comfort zone.
No one really likes to feel uncomfortable. It’s just plain, well, uncomfortable.
But, in order for you to rise up and meet your full potential, it is absolutely imperative that you get out of your comfort zone and try new things. You never know how positively life-changing it could be to discover new things about yourself.
You will have more regrets in life when you look back and realize you never took any risks. Step outside of your comfortable little bubble and take life by the reigns!