The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura in Sanskrit, is the third chakra in the traditional seven-chakra system. Its name translates as “lustrous gem”, reflecting the radiant inner fire and personal power it governs.
Located in the abdomen between the navel and the base of the sternum, this energy centre is associated with the solar plexus nerve network, part of the sympathetic nervous system. It plays a key role in digestion, metabolism, and the function of organs such as the pancreas, liver, stomach, kidneys, and adrenal glands.
Because of its connection to both physical digestion and emotional processing, the Solar Plexus is often seen as the centre of emotional metabolism, where experiences are transformed and integrated.
If you are new to the chakra system, you can begin here: [explore the chakra system and energy bodies] → The Chakras Explained
What Does the Solar Plexus Chakra Represent?
Manipura is the centre of personal power, identity, and transformation. It governs self-esteem, willpower, authenticity, and the way we move through life with direction and intention.
This chakra holds the energy of “I can.” It is the inner fire that fuels action, motivation, and the ability to turn vision into reality.
It is also closely connected to:
- personality and ego identity
- choice and personal freedom
- motivation and purpose
- manifestation and directed action
Elementally, it is associated with fire, symbolising transformation, clarity, and drive.
Solar Plexus Chakra Basics
- Sanskrit name: Manipura (lustrous gem)
- Location: Upper abdomen / below sternum
- Colour: Yellow / gold
- Element: Fire
- Symbol: Downward triangle in a ten-petalled lotus
- Gland: Pancreas
- Body systems: Digestive system, muscular system, adrenal glands
Pancreas
Signs of Balance
When the Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced, we experience:
- confidence without arrogance
- clarity of purpose
- healthy motivation
- emotional resilience
- a grounded sense of self
There is a natural sense of direction, and action flows without force. Goals feel achievable, and obstacles are approached with steadiness rather than overwhelm.
Signs of Balance
When the Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced, we experience:
- confidence without arrogance
- clarity of purpose
- healthy motivation
- emotional resilience
- a grounded sense of self
There is a natural sense of direction, and action flows without force. Goals feel achievable, and obstacles are approached with steadiness rather than overwhelm.
Signs of Imbalance
Overactive Solar Plexus
When excessive, this energy can manifest as:
- control or dominance over others
- judgment or rigidity
- anger or frustration
- over-identification with success or status
Underactive Solar Plexus
When blocked or depleted:
- low self-esteem
- lack of direction or purpose
- difficulty making decisions
- feeling powerless or stuck
These imbalances often show up not only emotionally, but physically as well.
Physical Manifestations of Imbalance
Solar Plexus imbalance may appear as:
- digestive issues (IBS, ulcers, bloating)
- fatigue or low energy
- blood sugar imbalance
- weight fluctuations around the abdomen
- adrenal stress and burnout
Healing Through Awareness & Practice
These imbalances are not fixed states, but invitations to return to balance through awareness and embodied practice.
You may wish to explore this further through energy healing and nervous system support practices.
→ explore my healing and yoga offerings
You can also deepen this journey through grounding and restorative practices in nature-based spaces.
→ experience retreat-style healing and nature immersion
How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra
Balancing Manipura is not about perfection, but about reconnecting to your inner fire with awareness and care.
Yoga, breathwork, meditation, and energy practices all support this process. What matters most is consistency and presence rather than intensity.
Yoga for Manipura
Navasana
Ustrasana
Parivrtta Trikonasana
Parivrtta Anjaneyasana
Vira Badrasana I
Vasisthasana
Core engagement, twists, and abdominal strengtheners help activate this centre.
Key poses include:
- Boat Pose (Navasana)
- Side Plank (Vashistasana)
- Warrior sequences (Virabhadrasana I–III)
- Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
- Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana)
- Lunge Twist (Parivrtta Anjenayasana)
Breathwork & Energy Practices
Pranayama (Breathwork): Perform Kapalbhati (Breath of Fire)
Mudra (Hand Gesture): Rudra Mudra (Tips of thumb index & ring fingers touch) 
Bandha: Uddiyana Bandha or the abdominal lock. It strengthens the digestive system and massages the internal organs.
Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga Practice
To support the activation and balancing of Manipura, I have created a dedicated Solar Plexus yoga practice designed to awaken inner fire, strengthen the core, and build confidence from within.
This sequence focuses on movement, breath, and mindful engagement with the body, helping to stimulate the energy of the solar plexus and release stored tension around the abdomen and emotional centre.
You can practise it whenever you feel low in energy, disconnected from your purpose, or in need of grounding strength and motivation.
Connection to Other Energy Centres
The Solar Plexus does not work in isolation. It sits between grounding and emotional openness, forming a bridge between body and heart.
This energy flows upward into the heart chakra, where personal power becomes connection and relationship.
→ explore the heart chakra and emotional balance
It is also supported by grounding energy from the root chakra, which helps stabilise inner fire.
→ return to the root chakra for grounding and safety
And it is deeply connected to the broader philosophy of energy balance between awareness and action.
→ read more about Shiva and Shakti energy balance
Food for the Solar Plexus
This chakra is nourished by warmth, vitality, and golden light foods such as:
- yellow fruits (banana, lemon, pineapple)
- whole grains
- warming spices (turmeric, ginger)
- fibre-rich vegetables
Bonus Recipe
Thai Pumpkin Soup
Here is one of my favourite pumpkin soup recipes. Its sweet and spicy notes, accompanied by limey freshness, bring tons of exotic Thai goodness!
YOU NEED
- A blender!
- ¼ of a big white pumpkin or 1 butternut squash
- 1 – 2 cloves of garlic (optional)
- 200 – 300ml coconut milk
- Salt to taste
- A bunch of coriander
- 1 chilli
- 1 lime
- 100 – 200g of roasted and crushed peanuts
PREPARATION
Peel, de-seed and chop the pumpkin into 5 – 7cm pieces. A trick I use is to not peel the skin until I have cooked the pieces – once the pumpkin is soft it is much easier to remove the peel. To preserve the goodness of the pumpkin, try to steam it rather than boil it. So if you have a steamer or a metal colander, steam until soft but not soggy. This will ensure most of the nutrients and vitamins are kept intact! If you are using garlic, steam with the pumpkin too.
Once your pumpkin is ready remove the peel if you haven’t done so and put the pieces in your blender together with the garlic. Add salt to taste, half a squeezed lime and some of the coconut milk. Blend and keep adding coconut milk until you have a thick soup consistency. Taste and add salt and lime juice as required – I personally prefer it a little tangier so sometimes I add the juice of a whole lime fruit. You can also add the lime zest!
THE TOPPING
Add the crushed peanuts to a bowl, chop the chilli into small pieces and add the roughly chopped coriander.
Serve a portion of the soup and sprinkle some topping which should stay on top and not sink if your soup is the right consistency. I usually eat the soup lukewarm straight after I have cooked it or even cold if I have some left overs later on. I am not a big fan of piping hot food plus I try not to lose any more of the goodness in the pumpkin by heating it again. If you prefer it hot, you’ll need to put it back on the stove for a few minutes.
Serve with a wedge of lime and enjoy this highly nutritious, low calorie, vegan Solar Plexus goodness!
Further Ways to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra
Alongside yoga and supportive foods, there are many other ways to work with and balance the Solar Plexus Chakra.
Manipura can be supported through meditation, essential oils, crystals, and affirmations, all of which help to gently shift inner patterns, strengthen self-esteem, and build a healthier relationship with personal power.
Simple Daily Practices for Manipura
You can begin to bring balance to this energy centre through small, consistent actions such as:
- wearing yellow or introducing yellow tones into your home or clothing
- gently stepping outside your comfort zone and changing routine patterns
- making decisions without constantly seeking external validation
- standing tall with an open chest and relaxed shoulders
- speaking with clarity and without second-guessing yourself
- maintaining open and confident eye contact
- smiling more and softening self-judgement
These simple shifts gradually strengthen inner confidence and presence.
Solar Plexus Chakra Stones and Crystals
Crystals can be a supportive tool for balancing Manipura, especially when placed near the body during rest, meditation, or healing practices.
Common Solar Plexus stones include:
Yellow Calcite, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite, Golden Mookaite, Lemon Quartz, Yellow Jasper, Yellow Tourmaline, and Rutilated Quartz.
In general, stones in golden and yellow tones resonate most strongly with this energy centre.
Some key stones include:
- Amber — Cleanses and balances, supports clarity and confidence
- Citrine — Known as a stone of empowerment and manifestation
- Lemon Quartz — Brings optimism and energetic clarity
- Yellow Jasper — Protective and stabilising for the Solar Plexus
- Yellow Tourmaline — Supports energetic cleansing and balance
- Tiger’s Eye — Grounding, protective, and confidence-building
As always, choose the stone you feel most naturally drawn to.
Closing Reflection
The Solar Plexus is the seat of transformation. It is where energy becomes action, and intention becomes lived experience.
When balanced, we do not force life forward. We move with it.
