Solar Plexus chakra (Manipura) symbol
The symbol of this chakra is a triangle inside a lotus flower. The triangle represents fire. Every time you see it glinting on your wrist, it’s a reminder that you can draw on the beautiful fiery energy of determination and courage.
Location: Above the naval
Responsibility: Self-esteem, confidence, willpower, inner strength
Colour: Yellow
Element: Fire
Manipura is Sanskrit for the Solar Plexus, the third chakra located just above the belly button in the upper abdomen. This centre governs our confidence, willpower, and determination.
Additional, the Solar Plexus allows us to take action and manifest our ideas into the physical world.
The Manipura’s colour is yellow, with fire as its element, symbolizing the powerful, transformative energy this centre contains. It’s closely linked to our self-esteem and our ability to bounce back from challenges. The third chakra is the home of our personal power, giving us our sense of identity and purpose in the world.
A balanced Solar Plexus Chakra…
A balanced solar plexus chakra gives you the confidence, self-belief, and inner strength to turn your dreams into reality. You will feel courageous with no fear of taking risks, and you’ll be able to pick yourself up after knock-backs and failures. A person with a strong Manipura chakra also has a high level of energy and vitality.
An unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra…
If your Manipura chakra is blocked, you’ll lack confidence and self-belief, resulting in either holding yourself back and staying small or self-sabotaging. You may get ideas and start new projects but fail to follow them through. On a physical level, you’ll likely suffer fatigue and experience issues with digestion, as this chakra is linked to the digestive organs.
On the other hand, if your Manipura chakra is overactive, you may be controlling, power-hungry, self-centred, and competitive. As a result, you’ll likely get angry quickly and experience heartburn or ulcers.
Chakra Significance
It doesn’t have to be complicated or overly philosophical to consider the benefits of paying attention to the 7 chakras.
Without a doubt they are areas of the physical human body we are all familiar with. You don’t have to be religious or sceptical to know that looking after your health is key to your personal happiness and prosperity.
So it makes sense that we should ensure we maintain and care for ourselves from top to bottom and the 7 chakras are a wonderful illustration and map for guidance on how we can try to do this daily, both physically and non-physically. Emotionally and intellectually. Spiritually and consciously. You don’t have to believe in anything in particular and it doesnt matter what you believe, if anything.
There may be 7 chakra different points yet they are not wholly independent of each other and do not work in isolation. In fact they are in total coordination with each other, connected and reliant on each others wellness. Having said that it is useful to understand their functions alone to see this connection and also useful to work individually on each chakra to open and cleanse and heal which aids the over all healing of the chakra chain
Every day third chakra
This area is specific to managing the core issues of personal power and honour and the self care we take for self-acceptance as well as cultivating our physical needs. This energy centre has big responsibilities in recognising the power of decision making and transformation. The difference between growth or just survival. Birthing the energy for our emotional and physical states. When properly maintained, the solar plexus allows the energies of the other chakras to do what they do best in a healthy and balanced way.
It’s important at this point to halt the wrong vibrations which will only spiral into a path of physical pain, poor decision making and blocks of creativity and belief.
When your energy stagnates and you are overwhelmed with low confidence and lack of self-care, stress and lack of trust then your tendency to be sensitive to criticism and intimidation is at greater risk. This is the moment to pay attention to the third chakra warning and change the way you care for yourself.
Listen to the calming affirmations audio attached to this article to see an example of a simple and quick way to instantly begin to heal and repair your Manipura chakra.
Healing, balancing and opening the Solar Plexus Chakra
You are naturally aware that the solar plexus chakra is open and balanced, as the bright yellow light shines over your personal power energy hub feelings, your self- esteem, empowerment and confidence. It doesn’t always need to be a last minute emergency break down that calls for solar plexus chakra maintenance, it is easy and simple to implement balance and openness with just a few simple daily techniques to head off chakra blockages.
How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra
- Spend time around heat.
- Whisper positive affirmations to yourself.
- Wear the colour yellow.
- Eat yellow foods.
- Boost your confidence with aromatherapy.
- Do heat-building yoga poses.
- Follow a chakra meditation.
- Do small acts of kindness
A Healing Visualization for Manipura Chakra
Meditation is a beautiful grounding practice when focused on the bright yellow third chakra, a force of nature connecting your physical body and the element of fire.
Meditation isn’t a mystical practise. It is a daydreaming state we are all capable of entering at the click of our fingers, yet so powerful as a tool to clear and redirect the balance and energy of the body and mind. There is no right or wrong way of doing it, there is not fear attached to the process. Just be you and just daydream.
Just try this basic daydream visualization and the attached audio of relaxation. Be specific in dwelling on the solar plexus chakra area above your naval.
Picture in your relaxed quiet mind, a bright glowing yellow ball of sun light like a beam and stream, and shimmer and glimmer of yellow power flowing and glowing from your solar plexus chakra, up and down and around your body and mind. A self empowered glow from head to toe.
And when your mind wanders, because it does, and its OK, then simply return to this meditation technique as many times as you feel the need. Be that yellow sunshine flow. Feel that bright yellow connection between your solar plexus chakra and the confidence flowing throughout your body and mind.
Then, after several minutes, imagine releasing the sun, allowing the yellow glow to flow and see the bright yellow light dissolving as you breathe out deeply releasing into the air around you.
Imagine any energy that no longer serves or benefits you seeping out of your body and away from you.
Solar Plexus chakra diet
As well as daily habits attending to the maintenance and clearing of our mind, our structured sleep patterns, the sweet essence of daydreaming, the simplicity of a personalised physical and breathing exercise program and time and travel in natures glorious sights and fresh air; it is vital we have a diet that compliments the care of each chakra.
To avoid the heavy feelings of being drained and low, we should deliberately eat foods which connect us with the fire element – Including in your diet grains like cereal, rice’s, flax seed, sunflower seeds and daily milk products like milk, cheeses, yogurt. Ginger, mints, chamomile, turmeric, cumin, fennel also spice up the chakra.
Enjoy and savour these foods, each bite and taste a precious invasion of the third chakra energy. Feel the comfort and the pleasure as the yellow sun colour glow enters your physical body and your mind knows all about it.
Manipura Chakra Meditation
Sit comfortable and relax your shoulders down, release your breath and soften the muscles in your face. Soften your chest and tummy. Don’t hold it in release and relax, and take a deep breath in through your nose, holding for 4 seconds and release through the mouth holding for 6 seconds. Repeat and repeat and relax and be loose.
Breath deep into your belly. With every out-breath, press the air down deep into your core.
Bring your awareness to this personal power energy centre. Imagine you are radiating yellow light from this space.
This space holds our truest Self. Something this world likes to try to take from us. Our true Self.
Our Self can be messy. Our passions and pleasure aren’t always graceful or pretty. But they are us.
Take a deep inhale, as you exhale begin to build fire in the belly. Feel this heat radiate throughout your body. Use your breath to fuel this fire.
As you inhale, draw confidence up from the earth. As you exhale, release any judgment that you hold.
As you inhale, call in abundance. As you exhale, release shame in who you are. The affirmation for our solar plexus is I am Fire. As you inhale, recite to yourself ‘I am’ As you exhale, ‘Fire.’
Inhale ‘I am’
Exhale ‘Fire’
Let the energy from your Solar Plexus fill you up. Soften every single muscle in the body.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, open your mouth sigh it out. 5 more times. Begin to bring your awareness back into this room. Let the breath be natural. Begin to move the body. Allow the eyes to open.
100 Solar Plexus Affirmations
- I feel ready to face challenges.
- 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 can create positive change in my life.
- I stand in my personal power.
- I am strong, powerful, and confident.
- I am aligned with my purpose.
- I am worthy just as I am.
- I wholeheartedly believe in myself.
- I confidently welcome new experiences.
- I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
- I know my value and will not lessen or shrink myself for anything or anyone.
- I am fearless in the pursuit of what sets my soul on fire.
- I am worthy of respect from myself and others.
- I am motivated, persistent, and successful.
- I am pure, positive energy.
- I hold the key to my own happiness.
- I love the person I am, both inside and out.
- I am perfect, whole, and complete.
- I can accomplish incredible things.
- I am content with my life in my heart and mind.
- I am kind to myself and my development.
- I am thankful for my unique qualities.
- I genuinely celebrate the success of others.
- I support my friends and loved ones who are doing well.
- Jealousy has no place in my heart or mind.
- I dismiss any thoughts that entertain feelings of comparison.
- I embrace my journey because it is uniquely designed just for me.
- I am beautiful, inside and out.
- I am important.
- I am worthy of love.
- I am worthy of happiness.
- I am worthy of success.
- I deserve to be paid well for my skills.
- I am supported in all I do in life.
- I have the power to create the life I want.
- I am beautiful, intelligent, fun, and full of life.
- I am a successful and happy person.
- People value my work, my time, and my love.
- I believe in myself.
- I am perfect just the way I am.
- I respect myself, and others appreciate me.
- The love I give myself is reflected in all areas of my life.
- There’s absolutely nothing out of my reach.
- I can have everything I want in life.
- I am doing a great job.
- I attract wonderful things into my life.
- I am whole and complete.
- There’s nothing I need to do or be to earn love or respect.
- My body is beautiful, exactly the way it is.
- Everything is possible for me.
- I have everything I need to succeed.
- What I want is coming to me.
- I am worthy of the compliments I receive.
- My contributions are valued and appreciated.
- I value myself.
- I can overcome every obstacle that comes my way.
- I believe in my abilities.
- Every challenge I overcome is a success.
- I have everything I need for success.
- I am stronger than my fears.
- I can face every challenge.
- I don’t need validations from others to know how good I am.
- Self-deprecation isn’t something I need.
- Every day I understand my purpose with greater clarity.
- As I live my true purpose, joy and contentment fill my life.
- I act with my sole purpose in mind and wonderful things happen as a result.
- I feel myself being drawn towards my highest purpose.
- I know that where I am headed is better than I could have ever dreamed or imagined.
- I demonstrate my life purpose in everything I do.
- I am focused on the present.
- I am resilient and handle things as they come.
- I am full of joy and happiness.
- I use my personal time for personal activities.
- I have everything I need to create my own opportunities.
- I accept myself as I am, and release the need for approval.
- Even if I stand alone, I will stand firm.
- I can say no when something does not serve me or help me grow.
- The only approval I need is my own.
- I am free to evolve and release anything that takes away from my growth.
- I own my power and recognize the strength inside me.
- I am allowed to take up space.
- I confidently and fearlessly believe in myself.
- I am worthy and deserving of my beautiful dreams.
- I am a successful and happy person.
- I am enough.
- I believe in myself.
- I celebrate the abundance of everything in my life.
- I am worthy enough to follow my dreams and manifest my desires.
- I am succeeding in life.
- I am amazed by what I can do.
- I am an inspiration.
- I am ready for great things and great experiences.
- I am ready for the future with optimism and determination.
- I choose to enjoy my life.
- I choose to prioritize myself.
- I deserve to be proud of myself.
- I feel calm, confident, and powerful.
Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga Poses
The bright yellow energy of the solar plexus chakra helps set healthy boundaries and feel glowing confidence from within. If you have trouble with low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, or have control issues, you can boost confidence with these five yoga poses
Warrior 11
Virabhadrasana II
Stand with feet wide, 3–4 feet apart. Shift your right heel out so your toes are pointing slightly inward. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees. Line up your left heel with the arch of your right foot.
Bend your left knee to a 90-degree angle, keeping the knee in line with the second toe to protect the knee joint. Stretch through your straight back leg and ground down into the back foot.
On an inhale, bring arms to a T at shoulder height. Draw your shoulder blades down the back. Spread your fingers and keep palms face down. Gaze over the front fingers. As you exhale, sink deeper into the stretch.
Pro tip: To draw your shoulder blades down the back, rotate your palms face-up. Notice how that shifts your shoulders. Once settled, rotate your palms face down. The benefits a pose with “warrior” in its name may not sound very Zen, but this standing pose can help calm and steady your mind. Tougher than it looks, it also strengthens your legs and ankles while increasing stamina.
Downward Dog
Adho Mukha Svanasana
From all fours, walk your hands 6 inches in front of you. Tuck your toes and lift your hips up and back to lengthen your spine. If your hamstrings are tight, keep your knees bent in order to bring your weight back into the legs. Spread your fingers wide, press into your hands, and rotate your arms so that your biceps are facing toward one another. Press your thighs back toward the wall behind you.
The benefits: This classic pose opens your shoulders, lengthens your spine, and stretches your hamstrings. Since your head is below your heart, the mild inversion creates a calming effect.
Knees-to-chest
Apanasana (Wind-Relieving or Knees to Chest Pose)
Apanasana is a relaxing supine asana often performed at the end of a yoga sequence. Apana is Sanskrit for “downward-moving life force” and asana means “pose” or “posture.” As the name implies, this posture is thought to help move toxins downward, through and out of the body.
Lying on the back, draw the knees gently in toward the chest. Inhaling, release the knees slightly away from the chest; exhaling, hug them in. As simple as this appears, take it easy on the lower back. Play with rocking side to side or moving the knees around in circles to explore releasing tension in the lower back.
Benefits: Stretches and stabilizes the pelvis and low back and can reduce lower back pain. Reduces excessive anger, excitement, anxiety and high blood pressure. Helps with muscle guarding, hyperlordosis, sciatic nerve impingement muscle spasm, spinal stenosis
Bow Pose
Lie face down, roll your shoulder blades down the back and send your arms behind you. Bend your knees so that your feet are near your behind. On an inhale, lift your upper body and legs off the floor, keeping the hips grounded. Reach back to grab outer ankles. Use the leverage to lift your body up and broaden across the chest. This backbend stretches the whole front of the body, especially the chest and the front of your shoulders. It also gives a nice massage to your abdominal organs.
Boat Pose
Navasana
Sit with knees bent. Place hands underneath knees. Tip back on the sitz bones and draw the lower back in and up as you hug your abs toward your spine. Lift shins parallel to the floor. Then stretch arms forward. Finally, straighten knees if you can.
You’ll strengthen your abdominals and hip flexors.
Solar Plexus Chakra Stones and crystals and aroma
Wearing the following gems and stones will enhance solar plexus chakra energy. Alternatively, place them on your meditation altar.
Amber yellow topaz
Yellow tigers eye
Calcite
Yellow jasper
Yellow tourmaline
Lemon quartz
Sun-stone
Ginger – Considered a ‘universal remedy’ in Ayurvedic medicine, ginger is closely associated with confidence, positive moods, and decreased anxiety. Its warming, assuring properties are said to promote wisdom and clarity, leading to a stronger sense of self.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac and a remedy for impotence, helping to tackle any self-esteem issues that may lie at the cause of sexual complications.
Juniper Berry – Juniper berry oil is said to help break down psychological strain and promote rest.
Often used to treat anxiety and insomnia, it can encourage the clarity that comes with feeling well-rested and help us to feel more in control of our lives.
Lemon – Like most citrus oils, lemon is known to be uplifting and invigorating, helping us to shake off low moods.
Its energising properties keep us present and awake to our surroundings, connecting us to ourselves.
Muladhara Chakra Sound Healing
Solar Plexus Chakra meditation takes you on a restorative journey. The ancient Solfeggio frequency of 528 hz & Tibetan bowls assist the balancing & clearing.
