The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

The solar plexus chakra is the third of the seven main chakras that run from the base of the spine up to the crown. The chakras are the connection between the physical and the spiritual within us. Its Sanskrit name, Manipura, translates to 'city of jewels,' 'lustrous gem,' or 'resplendent gem.'

As its English name indicates, it's situated just above the navel, below the breast bone in the region of the solar plexus. It's our source of personal power or inner-fire that governs self-esteem, self-confidence, transformation, personal identity, individual freedom, choice, ego, and authenticity.

The Manipura also controls our metabolism and gastrointestinal system. Governing the gut's emotional brain as well as stored emotions, it's the source of our 'gut feel,' or butterflies in our stomach. People who suffer from anxiety (often related to fear, self-doubt, or feelings of powerlessness) are inclined to have GI tract complications, such as IBS, peptic ulcers, and poor appetite.

Key Elements

Color: bright yellow and resonant like the sun

Element: Fire

In balance: accountable, confident, enthused, focused, inspired, trustworthy

Imbalanced: aggressive, angry, controlling, defensive, fearful, low self-esteem

Crystals: amber, citrine, carnelian, malachite, topaz, yellow sapphire

Incense: cinnamon, ginger, saffron, sandalwood

How we're Affected by the Health of the Manipura

When the solar plexus chakra is in balance, we feel confident in ourselves and the decisions we make. Our sense of purpose is strong, we're self-motivated, and we believe in ourselves. On the contrary, when the solar plexus chakra is blocked or out of balance, we feel the opposite. The world becomes a scary place, or it becomes our enemy. We don't believe in ourselves and tend to cringe or not speak up. Or we become aggressive, controlling, and domineering – all behaviors that are driven by fear of losing our personal power (which we don't actually believe we have).

People who have an open third chakra are a pleasure to be around because they share their self-belief with others through encouragement. They don't feel threatened by people or situations because they know that they have the ability to forge ahead. Their goals, purpose, and intentions are clear to them, and they have a positive attitude towards life and the world around them. Like the sun, they bring warmth, passion, and positive progress into situations, be it socially, at work, or in the home.

Those whose third chakra is blocked or out of balance doubt themselves, suffer from a lack of identity, hesitate to speak their truth, allow themselves to be manipulated and bullied, or fear people, places, and things. It can also manifest as anger towards life and the world, ultimately driven by deep-rooted feelings of fear and a sense of powerlessness. Either way, these people are skeptical about life, irresponsible, don't trust others, adopt a victim mentality, and are inclined to feelings of resentment, jealousy, and even bitterness. People are often afraid of them, which only serves to intensify their negative attitude.

Dealing with Past Trauma

Unfortunately, damage to the solar plexus chakra is often caused by past traumas. No amount of work on the chakra will help until we identify, admit, and accept what we went through, how it made us feel, and what harm it caused. This kind of self-revelation can be harrowing, particularly if it's been repressed or denied. Often generational traumas, like living in a family with a history of alcoholism or domestic abuse, get ignored. Effectively, children are taught from a very young age never to mention it outside the home, so it's challenging to open up as an adult without feeling that you're betraying your family.

Of course, there are many kinds of other traumas too that are very painful to deal with. Working together with a healer can help deal with the layers of pain or abuse as they arise, rather than dealing with the whole lot and becoming overwhelmed. Rebuilding self-esteem and self-belief doesn't happen overnight; it happens when we give it our attention.

Strengthening and Opening the Third Chakra

Maybe you don't have unhealed emotional and spiritual wounds and just lost yourself along the way due to a few strokes of bad luck like losing your job, being in a lousy relationship, or even as a result of the global pandemic.

Whatever your situation, once you decide you're ready to balance and repair your solar plexus chakra, you'll begin feeling the positive effects almost right away. Although there are yoga poses and physical exercises that help, regaining your sense of self takes more than that, and it's an ongoing process.

Start with making a constant habit of noticing the beauty around you. See the sun and stars, the vastness of the sky, look at the wonders of nature (even if it's just a bird on a branch), and know that it's all there to be shared with YOU. Feel your energy connect with all of nature and the universe, and know that you're worthy.

Next, look at your diet. Because the solar plexus chakra controls our digestive system, you want to be feeding your gut healthy foods in small, regular portions. If you eat when you're feeling down, stop doing it and instead listen to uplifting, happy music, or go for a walk.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a great appetite killer. If that's you, make a conscious effort to eat four small, healthy meals a day. You'll feel the difference because low blood sugar actually fuels anxiety.

Here's a breathing exercise that you can incorporate into your daily routine before you have a meal because you don't want your stomach to be too full:

Sit in a straight-backed chair with your shoulders relaxed and spine upright.

Breathe deeply in and out through your nose only.

Focus your attention on your solar plexus chakra and keep all other thoughts at bay.

Next, inhale hard through your nose and inflate your lower abdomen as much as you can.

Hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale hard through your nose while drawing your lower abdomen towards your spine.

Repeat the inhalations and exhalations rapidly, holding your breath to the count of three in-between.

Begin with ten repetitions and increase by five every day or other day.