What Is The Solar Plexus Chakra And How It Powers Your Personality
Have you been feeling like you've lost your confidence (or maybe you never really felt like you had a lot of self-confidence)? Maybe you're feeling less expressive, and dealing with a nagging feeling of powerlessness? This lack of fire in your belly could be a sign of blocked solar plexus chakra.
What is the Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura
The third of the seven chakras in the human body, the solar plexus chakra is preceded by the sacral chakra and the root chakra. Located around your abdomen, about three inches above your navel, the solar plexus chakra asserts your feelings of power, intellect, and self-esteem.
The Sanskrit name of the chakra is Manipura, which means a radiant jewel city. Just like the sun – yellow is the ruling color and fire is the governing element of the solar plexus chakra.
The solar plexus chakra is responsible for your energy, identity, digestion, and metabolism. It regulates your ability to fit in, feel self-assured, and work confidently on your purpose.
Symptoms Of Solar Plexus Chakra Blockage
When your solar plexus is blocked, it could lead to several metabolic and digestive issues. Some of the physical symptoms that you may experience are:
- Digestive issues such as Irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and Chrohn’s disease
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders
- Weight issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Liver dysfunction
- Stomach ulcers
When your solar plexus chakra is misaligned it may also manifest in various unpleasant emotional feelings. Some of these include:
- Dominating, aggressive, or manipulative behavior
- Neediness and victim mentality
- Feeling powerless and stressed
- Constantly seeking validation and approval from others
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Feeling shameful and negative
How To Open And Heal Solar Plexus Chakra
When your solar plexus chakra is balanced, you get an innate sense of security and inspiration to achieve things. You feel comfortable in your own skin and are open to new challenges and roles.
In short, you shine like the sun!
So given its connection with the sun and fire, you can open and heal your chakra through activities that focus on these elements. Of course, it doesn’t require you to play with fire. But soaking in the sunshine, meditating around a lit candle, or doing suryanamaskar in the mornings can bring the chakra into balance. So does trying new things and doing activities that relieve stress.
And if you’re looking for delicious ways to support your solar plexus chakra, eat sunny yellow and earthy foods like lemon, bananas, brown rice, pineapple, yellow squash, oats, pineapple, bell peppers etc.
Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga Poses
Yoga poses that target the core and abdomen area restore the solar plexus chakra. You can try the following yoga poses to activate this energy center.
Paschimottanasana - Classical Forward Bend
Solar Plexus Chakra Meditation
To perform solar chakra meditation, sit in a meditative pose - cross your legs, keep your spine straight and relax all your muscles. Close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose and exhale out of your mouth.
While staying in this calm state, draw attention to your abdomen. Imagine the color yellow emerging from your navel and filling the rest of your body. Stay this way for 3 to 5 minutes and feel the onrush of energy and power.
Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations
Following the above mentioned meditation technique, chant these solar plexus chakra affirmations to clear our negative programming from your subconscious.
“I am enough and what I do is enough”
“ I feel motivated and purposeful”
“I can create the life I want”
"I am worthy of love and success”
“I am powerful, radiant, and magnificent”
“I permit myself to fully enjoy everything that I do”
“I am capable, confident, and courageous”
“I don’t need anyone’s approval”
Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Crystals And Stones
Healing stones beaming with yellow, and orange hues are ideal to open the solar plexus chakra blockages. The energetic properties of these stones transfer to your chakras when you mediate, wear or perform reiki with them.
Tigers Eye, Citrine, Amber, Calcite, Yellow Jasper, Yellow Topaz, Pyrite, Agate, Yellow Tourmaline, Lemon Quartz, and Sunstone are the best healing stones for solar plexus chakra.
If you’d like a bracelet that helps keep all your chakras in balance, this 7-chakra stone set is worth checking out.