Manipura – The Personal Power Within
The Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura in Sanskrit, is the third chakra following the standard seven chakra model. It is named after the Solar Plexus – a complex system of radiating nerves and nerve cell structures (ganglia). It is located in the pit of the stomach, in the region between the abdomen and the base of the breast bone. The Solar Plexus name is derived from its shape, resembling the sun with the nerves radiating like sunrays. This centre is part of the sympathetic nervous system and plays an important role in the functioning of the stomach, pancreas, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands. The Solar Plexus chakra governs the digestive system and its respective organs. As a result, it has jurisdiction over both the gut’s emotional brain and our stored emotions.
If you are unfamiliar with the concept of the Chakras and the five different bodies according to yoga philosophy, you can read my blog The Chakras Explained.
What Does Our Solar Plexus Chakra Represent?
The Sanskrit name Manipura means “lustrous gem”. Our Manipura chakra provides source of personal power and relates to self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation. The third chakra governs personality, ego and identity as well as personal freedom, choice and authenticity.
The Solar Plexus chakra also has much to do with motivation, willpower and purpose, which stem from one’s sense of personal efficacy. The third chakra has masculine energy, its colour is yellow or gold and its symbol is a downward-pointing triangle within a ten petal lotus flower. Elementally, the solar plexus chakra is associated with fire (as well as the sun) and its mantra is, “I can.” Accordingly, manifestation work connects to this chakra specifically.
The Solar Plexus chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioural functions:
- Expression of will
- Intellectual abilities
- The “accounting mind” that categorizes everything, assesses the pluses and minuses in life
- Ability to establish ideas and transform plans into reality
- At higher levels, it conveys wisdom
The main function of this energy centre is to provide actual momentum to move forward and realize personal desires and intentions in the world. It plays a fundamental role in the development of personal power. It feeds one’s direction in life and the actions taken in order to reach your goals. It influences preoccupations about social status and self-image.
Solar Plexus Chakra Basics
Name in Sanskrit: Manipura meaning “lustrous gem”
Location: In the abdomen above the belly button and below the breastbone
Colour: Yellow or gold
Element: Fire
Symbol: Downward triangle in a ten petalled lotus
Corresponding gland: Pancreas
Parts of the body: Muscular system, the skin as a system, the solar plexus, the large intestine, stomach, liver
Pancreas
Manipura Signs Of Balance
When the Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced we feel confident, motivated, purposeful, reliable and responsible. We exude confidence without being arrogant, we are self-motivated, and have a sense of purpose.
People with good solar plexus energy achieve their goals and most of the time turn their dreams into reality. Obstacles rarely stop them and they clearly see and unwaveringly follow their goals. It is almost contagious to be around their positive, energetic presence.
Signs Of Unbalance In The Solar Plexus Chakra
Feelings of aggression, overly dominating behaviour toward others and low self-esteem are some of the signs that maybe your Manipura is out of balance.
When your Solar Plexus chakra is overactive, you may be experiencing issues such as desiring control over others and judging too harshly. When this energy centre is overwhelmed with energy, it can overstimulate your system. As a result, you may feel especially critical and stubborn.
On the other hand, if you have an underactive third chakra, you may be experiencing a sense of lack of control and purpose in life. When the Solar Plexus chakra becomes blocked, it often leads to emotional problems, ranging from feeling powerless to self-doubting.
Physically, imbalances of the solar plexus can also manifest in the body in ways of fatigue, overeating, excessive weight around the stomach, and digestive system disorders such as IBS, ulcers, hypoglycaemia and diabetes.
How To Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra
There are many ways in which you can bring your third chakra into the right balance. As with everything you will find that some techniques work better for you than others. For example some of us might prefer more physical methods like yoga, while others might find the effects of chanting or wearing stones more appealing. Therefore, try a few of the below listed methods, see which ones resonate with you and stick to them for a while. However, don’t get too rigid on practicing the same routines every time – change, experiment and surprise yourself! After all CHANGE is one of the leading principles in life!
Yoga To Support And Balance Manipura
The below yogic techniques will help you connect to and stimulate the Solar Plexus Chakra. A very helpful visualisation to use while performing any of the below practices is to imagine a bright yellow circle just above your belly button, spinning and radiating warmth and spreading golden light.
Stimulating Yoga Poses For The Solar Plexus Chakra
Phlankasana Variation
Chaturanga Variation
Navasana
Ustrasana
Parivrtta Trikonasana
Parivrtta Anjaneyasana
Vira Badrasana I
Vasisthasana
Generally core work and twists as well as abdominal stretches are very stimulating for this chakra. Here are examples of some of the poses that might work for you. Most of them, have been included in my Solar Plexus Chakra video below.
- Parivrtta Utkatasana (chair prayer twist)
- Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (revolved lunge twist)
- Parivrtta Trikonasana (revolved triangle pose)
- Ustrasana (camel pose)
- Dhanurasana (bow pose)
- Navasana (boat pose)
- Phlankasana (plank pose)
- Vasisthasana (side plank)
- Chaturanga (staff pose)
- Vira Badrasana I, II, III (Warrior I, II, III)
More Yogic Methods of Stimulating Manipura
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 Video
Here is a full yoga sequence dedicated to the third chakra. It is not an easy one but try and do as much as you can, especially paying attention to your mind and any obstacles it poses for you. Very often we tend to self-sabotage ourselves, talking ourselves out of doing something different than our usual routine. This may halt progress and definitely will prevent us from achieving goals and realising those plans and dreams of ours.
So keep an open mind, do not despair if you can’t do it first time round. Keep at it. Regular practice and nothing else brings results. Stoke that fire in your belly!
Food Supporting The Solar Plexus Chakra
This chakra thrives off of complex carbohydrates and whole grains such as oats, brown rice, spelt, millet, rye, farro, beans, vegetables and sprouted grains. These foods provide crucial fibre and sustainable energy. Warming spices such as ginger and turmeric give love to the solar plexus as well.
The solar plexus chakra vibrates at the frequency of the colour yellow; so bananas, lemons, corn, pineapple would be supporting foods for this chakra.
Thai Pumpkin Soup
Here is one of my favourite pumpkin soup recipes. It will not only feed your Solar Plexus Chakra, but will also tantalise your taste buds with its sweet and spicy notes, with its limey freshness and 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!
More Methods For Manipura Balancing
Apart from the yoga practices and the food suggestions described above, there are further methods to stimulate the Solar Plexus Chakra. This centre can be balanced through meditating, using essential oils, wearing crystals or repeating affirmations to help you change your attitude and increase your self-esteem and confidence. Try some of the below methods to help you regulate the energies of your third chakra.
- Wear yellow and introduce yellow accents into your home environment
- Encourage yourself to step out of your comfort zone by changing your daily routines
- Make decisions for yourself without seeking advice from others
- Adjust your posture by standing tall with your shoulders open
- Speak up without questioning yourself
- Have open eye contact with people
- Smile more
Use Affirmations
- I honour the power within me, I honour myself
- I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly
- The fire within me burns through all blocks and fears
- I can do everything that I desire
- I stand in my power
- I am strong
- I release judgment of others and of myself
- I make my own decisions with confidence and conviction
- I use my power for good
- I am motivated to pursue my true purpose
- I am comfortable with my power
- I release the need to control
- I am worthy and capable of achieving my dreams
- I am ambitious and capable of whatever I desire
- I choose inner peace and satisfaction daily
- I have high self esteem and believe I am valuable
- I am confident in my ability to succeed
- Everything I need, I have within
- I choose the best for myself, always
Manipura Chakra Stones
Solar Plexus chakra stones play a very valuable role when it comes to healing the area of the body near your belly button. Because the solar plexus is in charge of guarding a majority of your internal organs, as well as assisting in issues regarding self worth and personal power, making sure this chakra is clear and cleansed is very important.
There are many healing stones and crystals that are wonderful for healing and supporting the third chakra. A few of these stones include Yellow Calcite, Golden Mookaite, Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite, Citrine, Golden Quartz and Rutilated Quartz. In general, stones with golden and yellow colour resonate with the Solar Plexus Chakra. Listed below with some further information of their benefits are some of them. As usual with stones, use the one the catches your eye immediately.
- Amber — Used to cleanse and balance. Increases mental clarity and promotes confidence.
- Citrine — This “success stone” is used to cleanse and balance. Increases personal empowerment and confidence.
- Lemon quartz — A stone of optimism used to cleanse, activate and balance the third energy centre.
- Yellow Jasper — Known as a stone of protection, yellow jasper activates and balances the solar plexus chakra.
- Yellow Tourmaline — A stone good for detoxifying the body, yellow tourmaline is used to cleanse, activate and balance.
- Tiger’s Eye — A protective stone, tiger’s eye is good for grounding, cleansing and balancing.
Sound Healing For The Solar Plexus Chakra
As with the rest of our energy centres the Solar Plexus chakra responds to a range of frequency waves. Music and sounds composed with those frequencies will make your Manipura chakra resonate with them. The piece that James composed is very close to my heart as this seems to be the ‘easiest’ chakra for me. I have a lot of the fire element in me and when I listen to this music I feel happy, in my element, powerful and purposeful.
Notice what emotions this music brings to you. If you are drawn to it maybe this is a sign that your Manipura is well balanced. If on the other hand, you find it uncomfortable, maybe you need to do a bit of work to ignite your personal fire. Whichever way it is, I hope you use it to find a little bit more about yourself.
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (528 Hz Solfeggio Frequency)
Original music composed by James Molloy
Take Care Of Your ‘Lustrous Gem’
I breezed through this chakra blog! Yet another proof that my third chakra is quite active and maybe even dominant sometimes. The asana related to it comes naturally to me, the colour is one of my favourites, the food associated with it truly satisfies my taste buds.
What about you? Do you relate to the recommended balancing practices or you do you feel a natural aversion to them? Learning about the chakras is yet another way of going deeper towards knowing ourselves. Enjoy!
Love & Light!
Evelina
