I’m so pleased to share this informative guide on opening, healing, and balancing the solar plexus chakra. As a Reiki Master, I often work with clients’ third chakra, which profoundly impacts our sense of personal power. When blocked, we can feel drained, insecure, and struggle to set healthy boundaries.

My goal is to empower you to shine bright, radiate confidence, speak your truth, and digest life experiences with grace. This article explores everything from the solar plexus meaning, to signs of imbalance, healing practices, supportive crystals, and more. My hope is that it provides you with greater awareness around this significant energy center, so you can care for your whole being on all levels. Journey well, dear ones!

What is the Solar Plexus Chakra?

What does the solar plexus chakra represent?

The solar plexus chakra, also known as the Manipura chakra, is the third chakra located in the upper abdomen. It represents our sense of self, personal power, and ego. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confident, capable, and in control of our lives. Imbalances can manifest as low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, fearfulness, or trying to control people and situations.

The solar plexus is associated with the color yellow, and it’s element is fire. In yoga, it is located between the navel and lower ribcage. This energetic center governs digestion, metabolism, and absorption of nutrients. On an emotional level, it relates to our ability to “digest” life experiences and feelings.

How do you know if your solar plexus chakra is blocked or unbalanced?

Signs that your solar plexus chakra may be blocked or unbalanced include:

• Low self-esteem, lack of confidence
• Inability to be decisive, difficulty making choices
• Feeling insecure or fearfulness
• Tendency to be controlling or domineering
• Digestive issues, sluggish metabolism
• Feeling burnt out, exhausted
• Craving attention, dependency on approval of others
• Anger, irritability, aggression
• Muscle tension or pain in the stomach or back
• Yellow color deficiency, avoiding yellow
• Job dissatisfaction, lack of drive

Physical symptoms often manifest in the organs or areas governed by the chakra – in this case, the stomach, liver, upper intestine, pancreas, adrenals. If you experience multiple symptoms, it may indicate your solar plexus requires balancing.

What causes a blockage in the solar plexus chakra?

There are many potential causes of a blocked or imbalanced solar plexus chakra:

• Emotional trauma – Our sense of personal power stems from our experiences, particularly in childhood. Trauma, abuse, neglect, humiliation, or abandonment can severely impact the solar plexus.
• Poor digestion – The health of our digestive system is tied to this chakra. Digestive issues can create blockages.
• Fear and anxiety – When we are fearful or anxious, we tend to contract, which can stagnate energy flow. Chronic fear blocks the solar plexus.
• Lack of confidence – Without self-confidence, we may withdraw our energy and power rather than radiate it outward.
• Control issues – The desire to control people and situations becomes blocked energy if we can’t accept change.
• Judgment or criticism – Being harshly judged or criticized, especially as a child, can make us afraid to shine.
• Physical injury – Accidents or trauma to the stomach, back, or ribs can block the area.
• Emotional exhaustion – When burnt out, we deplete our solar plexus energy.
• Ignoring gut instincts – Not trusting our inner wisdom weakens the chakra.

How can you balance and heal your solar plexus chakra?

There are many holistic practices that can help align, balance and heal the solar plexus:

• Solar plexus chakra yoga poses like bow, boat, camel stimulate the chakra.
• Martial arts, dance or core exercises develop a strong center.
• Aerobic activity and cardiovascular exercise.
• Chakra meditation with yellow crystals like citrine or yellow calcite.
• Eating yellow or golden foods that nourish the chakra – lemons, pineapple, yellow bell peppers, corn, etc.
• Aromatherapy with oils like lemongrass, ginger, and bergamot.
• Affirmations and mantras that cultivate confidence and personal power.
• Exploring creative pursuits that make you feel empowered.
• Release limiting beliefs through journaling, talk therapy or Emotional Freedom Technique.
• Solar plexus chakra healing through energy healing like reiki or quantum-touch.
• Getting adequate rest, minimizing stress, and addressing digestive health.
• Practicing setting boundaries and saying “no” when needed.
• Allowing yourself to take up space and shine without apology.

What are the signs of a healthy, balanced solar plexus chakra?

When the solar plexus chakra is opened and energized, you experience greater:

• Self-confidence, self-worth, self-acceptance
• Decisiveness and clarity of choices
• Inner wisdom, intuition and gut knowing
• Motivation, excitement about life
• Leadership abilities, personal magnetism
• Digestive health and nutrition
• Stamina, energy levels, vitality
• Courage to take risks and handle challenges
• Independence and freedom from judgment
• Comfort expressing your power appropriately
• Ability to set healthy boundaries
• Calmness and inner peace

What crystals can help heal the solar plexus chakra?

Some beneficial crystals for healing and empowering the solar plexus include:

• Citrine – Its golden yellow color resonates with the solar plexus to energize and cleanse.
• Tiger’s eye – Inspires confidence, courage, and deeper self-awareness.
• Yellow jasper – Stabilizes emotions and increases digestive health.
• Pyrite – Helps manifest goals and desired outcomes.
• Carnelian – Boosts creativity, personal power, and motivation.
• Sunstone – Revitalizing, improves digestive fire and metabolism.
• Golden calcite – Clears negative beliefs and patterns holding you back.
• Orange calcite – Supports emotions and enhances will power.
• Amber – Releases stagnant energy, old emotional patterns.

Place crystals over the solar plexus during meditation, wear them as jewelry, use elixirs, or create a grid around your body. Allow their vibrational power to restore harmony to your third chakra.

How is the health of the solar plexus chakra related to digestion?

The solar plexus chakra governs digestive health and nutrition absorption. When our digestion is impaired, it can stagnate the flow of energy in this region. Conversely, blocks or imbalance in the chakra can manifest as digestive issues. Signs they are related include:

• Stomach discomfort, irritation, pain or ulcers
• Nausea, gas, bloating, constipation
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Low appetite or overeating
• Poor nutrition absorption
• Fear or anxiety around eating
• Inability to “stomach” emotions

To improve both your digestion and solar plexus function: eat slowly, chew thoroughly, relax while eating, avoid eating when very upset, minimize processed foods, stay hydrated, exercise, and consider probiotic and enzyme supplements. Healing practices like yoga, meditation, energy work, affirmations and crystals also help align this chakra center and digestive system.

How is the health of the solar plexus chakra related to self-esteem?

The solar plexus chakra is integrally tied to our sense of self-esteem and self-worth. When the chakra is under active, blocked, or imbalanced, we often experience lower self-confidence. Signs they are related include:

• Feeling insecure in yourself and your abilities
• Believing your needs and desires are unimportant
• Harsh self-criticism, negative self-talk
• Fear of failure, perfectionism
• Difficulty accepting compliments or praise
• People pleasing, worrying what others think
• Allowing others to dominate, assert power over you
• Masking or trying to change yourself to fit in

Healing and empowering your solar plexus chakra helps boost self-confidence. Practices like positive affirmations, personal growth work, establishing boundaries, taking constructive risks, exploring your passions, and therapy can all help build authentic self-esteem by activating your inner sun!

How can you start expressing your personal power?

Here are some ways to start expressing your inner power through a healthy solar plexus chakra:

• Identify your core values, needs, desires, talents – and honor them. Allow yourself to shine.
• Set strong personal boundaries – learn to say no when something doesn’t align with your truth.
• Adopt empowering beliefs about yourself and release limiting ones.
• Visualize your inner sun beaming bright. Imagine yourself radiating confidence.
• Take up space – practice good posture, make eye contact, speak your needs.
• Celebrate your uniqueness – love your quirks, be authentically you.
• Take constructive risks to grow beyond your comfort zone.
• Trust your intuition – let your inner wisdom guide you.
• Speak up – share your thoughts, feelings, ideas. Your voice matters.
• Explore your passions and gifts. Let your inner light guide you.
• Allow yourself to take credit and acknowledge your accomplishments.

As you activate your solar plexus chakra, its vital energy empowers you to shine.

Conclusion

In summary, the solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, greatly influences our self-esteem, inner strength, personal power and ability to manifest goals. When blocked or out of balance, we may experience digestive issues, fear, anxiety or poor boundaries. Practices like yoga, meditation with crystals, energy healing, healthy eating and exercising agency in our lives help to heal and align this chakra center. As you empower your solar plexus, you grow more confident, radiant and able to express your authentic inner sun.

Summary

And here is an FAQ section:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Solar Plexus Chakra

What are the physical properties of the solar plexus chakra?

The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel in the upper abdomen. It corresponds to the solar plexus nerve complex in the abdominal section of the spinal cord. In Sanskrit it is called Manipura, which means “lustrous gem.” Its associated color is yellow and its element is fire.

What happens if you have a blocked solar plexus chakra?

Blockages in the solar plexus chakra may manifest as digestive issues, low self-esteem, lack of energy, difficulty making decisions, and problems establishing personal boundaries. You may feel fearful, insecure, creatively blocked, and unable to express your inner power.

How can I balance and heal my solar plexus chakra?

Practices to balance the solar plexus include solar plexus meditation with yellow crystals, yoga poses to open the chakra, wearing yellow clothing, chanting the mantra “Ram,” massage therapy focused on the stomach area, breathing exercises, martial arts training, and working through limiting beliefs and emotional issues.

Which foods are good for the solar plexus chakra?

Boost this chakra by eating yellow or golden foods like lemons, pineapple, apples, oranges, pumpkins, corn, turmeric, ginger, chamomile tea, and yellow peppers. Spices like cumin, paprika, and curry also support this chakra.

Can crystals help heal my solar plexus chakra?

Yes, solar plexus crystals like citrine, yellow calcite, amber, golden healer quartz, tiger’s eye, and pyrite can help cleanse, energize, and heal this chakra. Place them on your solar plexus during meditation or wear as jewelry.

How do I know if I have a healthy solar plexus chakra?

Signs of a balanced solar plexus include self-confidence, personal power, decisiveness, motivation, good digestion, comfort setting boundaries, and trusting your intuition and inner wisdom. You will feel purposeful, radiant, and able to express your true self.

What yoga poses are good for the third chakra?

Excellent solar plexus yoga poses include Half Boat pose, Bow pose, Camel pose, Triangle pose, Warrior I and II, and core strengtheners like Boat pose and Plank. Practice flowing between poses that expand and contract the abdomen.