The third primary chakra, also known as solar plexus chakra, is located – according to Hindu tradition – in-between the navel and solar plexus. It is slightly closer to your solar plexus area and can be found right beneath it. The chakra is most often associated with the color yellow, which is why some also refer to it as yellow chakra. In general, the third chakra is associated with willpower and symbolizes the act of transformation. It governs the digestive system and controls your metabolism. By working on your solar plexus chakra, you can affect positive changes in the functioning of your digestive system. Doing so can aid you in better digesting your food and improves elimination. However, if your solar plexus chakra is imbalanced or weak, you might be confronted with problems of poor digestion but also negative emotions and thoughts.
Besides governing digestion, the third chakra greatly influences important aspects of your being, such as self-discipline, willpower, and self-esteem. It is, therefore, widely considered to be the seat of a person’s identity. The solar plexus chakra, also known as Manipura, is further considered to be the center of energy in a person’s body. As such, it distributes life force (prana) throughout the entire body. However, contrary to the sacral chakra, the third chakra does not cause a person to strive for pleasurable experiences. Instead, it is the underlying energy center that fuels all actions of a person, be they good or bad.
For this reason, the third chakra is associated with transformation. If the chakra is blocked, the process of transforming thoughts and goals into action becomes distorted. Consequently, people who are inactive and lazy are often confronted with a deficient solar plexus chakra. Furthermore, their inability to become active may make them feel depressed and unworthy.
The Solar Plexus Chakra – Power of the 3rd Chakra
Working on the third chakra can enable you to transform inactivity, sluggishness and inertia into energetic action and activity. As such, its power can set you into motion, figuratively speaking. An active and well-balanced solar plexus chakra can also lead to a balancing of your emotional and mental self. It can fuel all your actions and helps you to strive for balanced and meaningful aims. Freeing yourself from blockages in the third chakra can further help you to increase your calmness and self-confidence.
However, it is important to mention that this motion and activity can cause positive and beneficial as well as negative and disruptive results. This is the reason why the solar plexus chakra is described as the energetic center that gives a person not only the power of creation but also the power to destroy.
For this reason, the great challenge of the third chakra lies in balancing its energy and in harnessing its power for beneficial purposes. People whose yellow chakra is imbalanced are confronted with restlessness and tend pursue a wide number of unbeneficial, unimportant or egotistical goals and dreams. These people are very active during the entire day, without ever accomplishing anything worthwhile. Even further, an over-active third chakra does not only lead to an increased perception of self-importance but can also ignite the lust for power.
Table of contents
What is the Manipura chakra?
What does the solar plexus chakra do?
How to heal and balance the third chakra?
Solar plexus chakra meditation
Let’s start with a concise explanation of what the solar plexus chakra is.
What is the Manipura chakra?
The Manipura chakra, also known as solar plexus chakra, is the energetic center of the body. It is located in-between the solar plexus and navel, according to Hindu tradition. It is associated with willpower and shapes a person’s personality. The chakra governs the functions of the digestive system and controls the metabolism. It can further transform sluggishness and inactivity into energetic activity.
Here’s a short “fact-sheet” about the solar plexus chakra:
- Name: Solar plexus chakra, third chakra
- Sanskrit name: Manipura (मणिपूर, translated as: “jewel city”)
- Color: Yellow, sometimes also red or blue
- Element: Fire
- Message: Transforming inertia into action
- Physical functions: Digestive system and adrenal glands
- Psychological functions: Willpower and self-discipline
- Planets: Sun and Mars
What does the solar plexus chakra do?
The functional quality of the third chakra lies in its transformative power. It can transform (unmanifested) willpower into action. By doing so it gradually contributes to the manifestation of your will. Aside from this, the chakra regulates digestion and can help you to better digest what you eat. This can help you to convert the food you eat into energy.
How to heal and balance the third chakra?
The process of healing the solar plexus chakra consists of opening blockages and balancing the chakra’s energies. The following will address what you can do to open these blockages and shows you techniques to balance the chakra.
If you feel that your solar plexus chakra is blocked, you may want to focus on activities that help you to open the blockages. But first, it may be of importance to understand the warning signs and symptoms associated with a blockage in your third chakra.
The physical symptoms include:
- Poor digestion
- Diabetes
- Constipation
- Weight problems (over- and underweight)
- Difficulty to overcome addictions
- Gallstones
The mental symptoms include:
- Self-centeredness
- Low self-esteem
- Increased fear and anxiety
- Inertia, laziness, and inactivity
- Motivation problems and problems to get going
Inertia and inactivity are telltale signs of a blocked solar plexus chakra. In these situations, you may find it incredibly difficult to take a proactive approach to life. You may feel constantly drained of energy and may struggle with inertia or passiveness.
Let’s change that!
By a balancing the third chakra, you can transform inactivity into energetic activity. It will help you to boost your self-esteem and can increase your motivation to pursue your goals.
Here’s what you can do to open a blocked solar plexus chakra:
1. Healing sounds or sound therapy
Sound is one of the most effective ways to balance your solar plexus chakra. The vibrant power of sound can contribute greatly to the balancing not only of your chakras but also your mind. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the balancing effects of specifically chosen healings sounds.
You can make use of the healing power of sound by listening either to binaural beats or to Tibetan singing bowls. All you need to do is to grab yourself a good pair of headphones, to find some good healing sounds and to listen for at least half an hour.
Be sure to choose sounds that are specifically tuned to effect beneficial changes in the solar plexus chakra.
2. Breathing exercises
There are certain breathing exercises that influence both your digestion and metabolism. One such exercise is called “Bhastrika” or “bellows breath.” It is a breathing exercise utilized in yoga in order to improve digestion and to energize the entire body.
There are only two things to keep in mind when practicing bellows breath. First, practice only on an empty stomach. Secondly, try to avoid the exercise shortly before going to bed. Instead, try to practice it in the morning. Doing so will give you an excellent energy boost for the upcoming day.
Here’s how to perform Bhastrika breath:
- Choose a sitting position that allows your spine to be straight.
- Relax shoulders and neck.
- Breathe from your belly, keep your chest still.
- When you inhale, fully expand your diaphragm.
- When you exhale, contract your belly.
- Start the exercise by forcefully inhaling and exhaling.
- Breath at a rapid pace.
- Inhale for one second then exhale for one second.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Make a short pause of 30 seconds.
- Breathe normally during the break.
- Continue with 15-20 breaths.
- Pause again for 30 seconds.
- Continue with 20-30 breaths.
Ideally, you’ll feel a tingling sensation around the navel area. When doing this exercise, it’s important to listen to the feedback of your body. In general, bellows breath is considered to be safe. However, if you notice discomfort, take a break and continue breathing naturally. If the exercise is too intense, adapt the pace in which you breathe.
3. Meditation exercises
Meditation is perhaps the most powerful and beneficial exercise to balance the third chakra. An excellent meditation exercise to harmonize the solar plexus chakra is explained in the next step. Feel free to skip to the next step.
4. Focus on your diet
The solar plexus chakra governs the digestive system. However, this influence is not one-sided. The third chakra can influence your digestion but your digestive system can also have an influence on your chakra. It is, therefore, important to consider that your nutrition does also have an impact on the functioning of the solar plexus chakra. Consequently, by maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet, you can contribute greatly to the opening of the third chakra.
Focus on establishing a well-balanced and healing diet. Avoid any foods that can cause inflammation (especially sugar) and be sure to include nutritious foods as well as vegetables in your diet. It is also important to replace processed carbohydrates with better alternatives. In the next step, it is quite beneficial to avoid artificial sweeteners and alcohol.
The following foods have a positive influence on the solar plexus chakra:
- Brown Rice
- Lentils
- Granola
- Flax seed
- Sunflower seeds
- Pineapples
- Beans
- Quinoa
- Sweet potatoes
- Oats
- Peppers
- Apples
- Lemon
The spices that are beneficial for the solar plexus chakra include:
- Gender
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Melissa
- Fennel
- Mint
5. Go out in nature
The solar plexus chakra is associated with the sun, which is why it can be greatly helpful to go outside and to enjoy the warm rays of the sun. Take a walk through the closest park or plan a trip through nature.
6. Use healing stones
Certain healing stones can have a positive influence on the solar plexus chakra. You may find it quite beneficial to wear these stones in rings, bracelets or necklaces. Some prefer to use these stones during meditation or place them on their desks.
The stones that are especially influential on the solar plexus chakra include:
- Sunstone
- Citrine
- Yellow Sapphire
- Yellow tourmaline
- Golden tiger eye
- Yellow jasper
- Golden calcite
As you can see, the third chakra is closely associated with gemstones that are of a yellow color.
7. Make use of daily affirmations
Affirmations can have quite a beneficial influence on the way you think. By changing your thoughts, you can effect changes in your subconscious, which can have beneficial influences on the body.
By using affirmations, you can contribute towards the elimination of blockages and the balancing of the third chakra.
In general, affirmations are statements that you repeat over and over again. It is recommended that you repeat every single statement for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Here are some great suggestions to get started with:
- I love myself.
- I am brimming with energy.
- I accept myself the way I am.
- I believe in myself and my abilities.
- I am energetic and active.
8. Use essential oils
If you’ve ever used essential oils, you know that the right oil at the right time can produce remarkable effects. Some essential oils can help you to relax, whereas others help you to alleviate physical pain.
Even though essential oils might not have a huge impact on your solar plexus chakra, they can at least contribute to its opening and balancing.
The essential oils that are especially helpful for balancing the solar plexus chakra include:
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Clove
- Rose
- Chamomile
- Black pepper
9. Yoga poses / Asanas
Yoga poses are excellent to balance the energy flow within your body and to consequently influence your solar plexus chakra. In general, any pose that directs energy into the area in between your navel and solar plexus can be applied to break blockages and to balance the third chakra.
These Asanas include warrior pose, boat pose, bow pose, half Lord of the fishes pose and upward extended feet pose.
10. Mantras
Mantras are another excellent way of utilizing the power of sound in order to affect beneficial changes in your third chakra. The reason for this is simple: Sound is vibration. By chanting a specific mantra, you create a vibration that helps to harmonize your chakra system. If you so want, mantras can be considered as tuning forks that helps you to balance the vibration of a chakra.
So-called “cleansing mantras” are specifically helpful to bring balance to a chakra. If you wish to bring harmony to your solar plexus chakra, perform the chanting of the mantra “RAM.” The RAM-mantra – pronounced “rum” – will help you to gain greater self-esteem and self-control.
Here’s how to use a mantra:
- Sit in a comfortable place.
- Focus your attention on your breath.
- Chant the specific mantra.
- Feel the vibration in your lower belly.
- Feel how the vibration flows through your entire body.
Solar plexus chakra meditation
Meditation is a wonderful – if not the most powerful – technique to heal and balance the solar plexus chakra. However, it may take some time and practice until first results start to emerge.
For a beginner’s guide to meditation, have a look at How to Meditate. Be sure to consult this article first, if you’re inexperienced with meditation.
Here are some excellent solar plexus meditations:
Solar plexus chakra visualization
- Assume your regular meditation posture.
- Relax your muscle groups, especially neck and shoulders.
- Calm your mind by focusing on your breath.
- Start visualizing a bright yellow/golden chakra between your navel and solar plexus.
- Imagine the chakra as a ball of gold light.
- Visualize that the ball starts increasing in size.
- See how it radiates in a brighter and brighter color.
- Imagine that the energy starts to spread throughout your entire body.
- Feel how the yellow light warms and energizes every cell in your body.
Fire/Agni meditation
- Assume a comfortable meditation posture.
- Close your fists and make a thumbs-up sign.
- Rest your fists on your thighs/knees.
- Make sure that your thumbs point straight up.
- Relax your neck and shoulders.
- Breathe in and calm your mind.
- Visualize a fire.
- Meditate on the fire’s qualities.
- Feel its warmth.
- Discover its transforming and purifying qualities.
- Next, allow anxieties, worries and anger to be consumed by the fire.
- Let go of painful memories of the past.
- Release anxieties about the future.
Chakras are like light bulbs: They don’t work if they are broken.
I hope you enjoyed this article about the power of the solar plexus chakra.
“When you touch the celestial in your heart, you will realize that the beauty of your soul is so pure, so vast and so devastating that you have no option but to merge with it. You have no option but to feel the rhythm of the universe in the rhythm of your heart.”
Amit Ray
Stay victorious!