The Solar Plexus Chakra, known as Manipura in Sanskrit, is the third primary chakra in the body's energy system. Here are key aspects and characteristics of the Solar Plexus Chakra:
Purpose: The main function of the Solar Plexus Chakra is to govern our sense of self, personal identity, willpower, and inner strength. It is the center of our self-esteem, self-worth, and ability to assert ourselves in the world.
Psychological Aspects: Emotionally and psychologically, a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra promotes feelings of self-confidence, courage, assertiveness, and inner harmony. It enables us to take action towards our goals, make decisions with clarity, and assert our personal boundaries effectively.
Imbalance: When the Solar Plexus Chakra is underactive, it may manifest as low self-esteem, lack of confidence, indecisiveness, or feeling powerless. An overactive Solar Plexus Chakra, on the other hand, can lead to aggressiveness, control issues, arrogance, or excessive competitiveness.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is crucial for cultivating a strong sense of self, personal empowerment, and the ability to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. Balancing this chakra enhances our capacity to assert ourselves authentically, pursue our ambitions, and maintain harmonious relationships with others.
How to balance the Solar Plexus Chakra?
Core-Strengthening Yoga Poses: Practice yoga poses that engage the core muscles and stimulate the Solar Plexus Chakra, such as Navasana (Boat Pose), Utkatasana (Chair Pose), and Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III Pose).
Breathing Exercises: Practice diaphragmatic breathing (deep belly breathing) to strengthen the Solar Plexus area and increase energy flow to this chakra.
Meditation: Meditate on the Solar Plexus Chakra while visualizing a bright, yellow energy at the upper abdomen. Focus on affirmations related to self-confidence, personal power, and assertiveness.
Solar Plexus Chakra Stones: Work with crystals and gemstones that resonate with the Solar Plexus Chakra, such as citrine, yellow calcite, amber, or tiger's eye. Carry them with you or place them on your Solar Plexus area during meditation.
Aromatherapy: Use essential oils that support the Solar Plexus Chakra, such as lemon, grapefruit, juniper, or rosemary. Diffuse these oils in your space, add them to a bath, or apply them diluted on your skin.
Empowerment Practices: Engage in activities that boost self-confidence and personal power, such as setting and achieving goals, standing up for yourself, and practicing positive affirmations.
Healthy Digestion: Support your Solar Plexus Chakra by maintaining a balanced diet that includes foods rich in yellow color (such as bananas, corn, and yellow peppers) and supports healthy digestion.
Special Note:
When the solar plexus chakra is in healthy alignment, you will be comfortable with your own inherent power and become empowered. You will have a sense of who you are and why you are here.
When you connect with your purpose, you gain a deeper understanding of how you as an individual can contribute to the collective in a beneficial way. You will let go of the things — whether it’s your job or bank account balance — that you depend on to define who you are.
Those things may have value, but overvaluing anything that subject to change is a quick road to suffering. You have inherent value; take the time through practice to investigate it, and you will be less dependent on external sources of happiness.