The Solar Plexus chakra (third chakra) is located under your ribs and in the diaphragm, this chakra is associated with the lower back, the whole abdomen area, the digestive system including liver, gallbladder, kidneys, adrenal glands, stomach and spleen as well as the nervous system. This chakra regulates our fears, sense of power, and gut feelings.
It is called the Manipura chakra, is a source of personal power and governs self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation. Make sure your Manipura chakra is open and aligned to tap into your personal power
Deficient Solar Plexus = lifeless, sluggish, passive, blocked, inwards (not enough energy flows in)
Excessive Solar Plexus = lively, agitated, reactive, aggressive, outwards (too much energy flows in)
20 Signs of an unhealthy solar plexus
- You constantly feel fatigued and lazy
- Your feel anxious or are nervous
- You are fearful
- You have a problem with overeating and overindulgence
- You tend to manipulate others to get what you want, or …
- You frequently feel powerless and weak
- You tend to be a bully or overly dominating around others, or…
- You feel insecure and unassertive
- You lack self-confidence in most areas of life
- You tend to seek approval from other people (i.e. you’re a people pleaser)
- You have low self-esteem
- You have an excessively inflated sense of self (i.e. a big EGO)
- Your body temperature is usually very cold or very hot
- You have addictive tendencies
- You struggle to send boundaries around other people
- You tend to form co-dependent relationships with others
- You suffer from a digestive system disorder such as IBS, ulcers, hypoglycemia, diabetes, etc.
- You suffer from frequent gas, constipation or stomach upset
- You have an eating disorder
- You have excessive weight around the stomach (i.e. a pot belly)
Physical Level
On a physical level yellow relates to the solar plexus, stomach, digestive organs, middle back, pancreas, liver, and muscles.
People with strong yellow energy stand tall and radiate power. Those with weak yellow energy appear collapsed in the middle, they are slouching – their back or abdominal muscles are weak
Gifts
- healthy digestion
- strong core body
- healthy eating habits
- vibrant and energetic
- radiating health
- physical strength
Challenges
- hypoglycemia, diabetes
- chronic fatigue
- hypertension
- digestive disorders
- disorders of liver, pancreas, and gall bladder
- fibromyalgia
Mental level
Yellow energy is will, autonomy, and self-definition. It is the building block of personal development and power. Yellow represents the developmental stage when we begin to learn to use language.
Gifts
- mental courage
- intellect
- ability to assimilate knowledge
- pro-active
- reason
- responsible, reliable
Challenges
- cynicism
- sarcasm
- confusion
- blaming of others
- competitive
- need to have the last word
The challenge is when this energy is blocked or excessive and it manifests as contraction of this bright energy.
Emotional Level
Gifts
- healthy self-esteem
- warmth in personality
- confidence
- sense of humor, playfulness
- sense of personal power
- balanced emotionally
- healthy ego strength
Challenges
- selfishness, self-centeredness
- shame
- domination, manipulation
- stubbornness
- low self-esteem
- temper tantrums
Spiritual level
The spiritual aspect of yellow energy is instinctual knowing and growing into spirit. The developmental task of the solar plexus chakra is autonomy and the development of the self. However, on the spiritual level, we must always remember who we truly are and not to get lost in the “self” identification.
Gifts
- deep self-knowledge
- deep personal power stemming from intrinsic value
- freedom of choice
- open to the greater life, the Spirit
- fearlessness
- sensing everything is a lesson for personal and spiritual growth
Challenges
- stuck in ego
- unable to see/feel connection with the greater life
- fear of death
- feelings of worthlessness
- unable to accept spiritual lessons
The 10 Petals
The ten petals of Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra) are dark-blue or black, like heavily laden rain clouds, with the syllables ḍaṁ, ḍhaṁ, ṇaṁ, taṁ, thaṁ, daṁ, dhaṁ, naṁ, paṁ, and phaṁ upon them in a dark-blue color. These petals correspond to the of spiritual vritti’s or ignorance, which are; thirst, jealousy, treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness and sadness.
The petals represent the ten Pranas (currents and energy vibrations) that are regulated by the Manipūra Chakra. The five Prāna Vayus are: Prāna, Apāna, Udāna, Samāna And Vyāna. The five Upa Prānas are: Nāga, Kūrma, Devadatta, Krikala and Dhananjaya.
Helpful Resources
To balance this chakra chakra, connect with this area of your body, focus your intention here. Touch, massage, feel, breathe and chant the sound RAM in the pitch of E.
Below are some resources that you may find helpful to open and balance this chakra.
RAM mantra is the most practical, powerful, effective and simple mantra to chant.
The mantra RAM is composed of 2 sounds. RAAA and OMMMM. These 2 sounds are the sounds of 2 very important Chakras. There are 7 chakras in the body. The 3rd chakra(Naval chakra) sound is RAAA.
The 3rd chakra is the point where all Karma is initiated from and is the entry point of the Karmas. Karma is the cause and effect of all thoughts, words and deeds that we do in life. This Karma is either resolved or unresolved. The unresolved Karma is stored in the body and will keep coming up to be resolved in life. So since RAAA is the sound of the 3rd chakra and that is the entry point of all the Karmas, so the sound RAAA contains within it all Karma that is stored in the body. Chanting RAAA stirs the pot of Karma in the body.
OMMM is the sound of the 6th center. The 6th center of the 3rd eye is also the site of the inner Guru the higher self the guide the intuition. This is the only space that resolves, destroys, demolishes, eradicates the Karmas. So when OMMM is recited this center is ignited and stimulated.
Mixing the 2 sounds RAAA and OMMM becomes RAAAMMM or just RAM. Chanting the RAM mantra will take the stored Karma and transport to the 3rd eye to be removed. That is the only reason that humans take birth. Resolve Karmas stored from this life and previous lives. RAM mantra is the perfect vehicle to do it.
How to do the RAM Mantra:
The Ram chant should be done slowly and with concentration. Concentrate on the mantra and the sound of the mantra. No other thoughts should come. If the thoughts come then ignore the thoughts and bring the attention back to the mantra.
Ram mantra information derrived from Atul Thakur.
Yoga and breathwork to rebalance the Solar Plexus Chakra
Solar Plexus Healing practices
1. Break out of routine and take a risk
Best suited to: deficient blockages
Lethargic and “safe” routines only tend to perpetuate our feelings of powerlessness. Break the dull inertia of your life and try something new. Step outside of your routine and go exploring, even if that means going to a different shopping center on your Saturday shopping trip. Even small breaks in routine will infuse you with energy and vitality. One small change can give you the motivation and renewed energy you need.
2. Cut ties with critical and negative people
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
If you can’t cut ties permanently with belittling and critical people, try your best to keep a distance from them. During this time of your life, you’ll benefit from supportive people who will encourage you to grow, not unsupportive people who will drag you through the mud. Remember that the power is in your hands. It is up to you to decide who stays and goes in your life. If someone is frequently discrediting, underrating, or bad-mouthing you, take steps to remove them from your life.
3. Explore the biggest sources of resistance in your life
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
What are you constantly fighting against? What are you afraid of? What issues keep coming back in your life? When you ask these questions and discover the answer, you’ll uncover the greatest source of energy loss in your life. The next step is to learn how to preserve your energy and stop the resistance. Ask yourself, “What must I understand, love or let go of that will free up my energy?” Often, those with blocked solar plexus chakras tend to invest huge amounts of energy towards fighting, avoiding or suppressing something.
4. Eat more of these foods
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Eat whole grains such as rice, oats, spelt, and rye which are all good for your digestion. Try including more legumes in your diet such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Add spices such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, and cinnamon to your food as these spices are heating to the body. Also include yellow fruit and vegetables such as lemons, bananas, corn, pineapple, and yellow capsicums into your eating plan.
5. Get out in the sun more
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
As the solar plexus chakra is represented by the element of fire, the sun is an immensely healing source of vitality. In fact, the less vitamin D you have in your life, the more prone you are to issues such as anxiety and depression. Taking a simple morning walk in the sunshine, or even relaxing in the afternoon sun with a good cup of tea is a powerful practice for the solar plexus chakra.
6. Release any anger you store inside
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
When done in conjunction with grounding, releasing pent up anger can help you to unblock your solar plexus quite rapidly. Our congested power is often expressed as blocked anger (just think of the “angry” explosions of volcanoes!), so when we release that anger, we can access that energy again.
Try releasing your anger in a healthy way such as through vigorous exercise, punching, kickboxing, dancing, singing, writing, crying or expressing it through art.
7. Take more of these cleansing herbs
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages.
Use herbs to ground and clear the solar plexus such as chamomile, rosemary, lemongrass, marshmallow leaf and ginger.
8. Stop seeing yourself as a “victim”
Best suited to: deficient blockages
One of the most damaging mindsets carried by those with blocked solar plexus chakras is the notion that they are “powerless” and defenseless victims of life. If you carry this mentality, it will manifest as the tendency to blame other people for your unhappiness. You might also find yourself constantly sacrificing your needs for others who don’t always appreciate your efforts. (This is called the Martyr Syndrome)
Secretly, there is a lot of energy put into playing the victim, and it is a facade that must be maintained (and reaffirmed) every day. If you see yourself as a person who is being victimized by someone else or something else, explore what it feels like to say “no.” Playing the victim is so attractive because it allows us to bypass the weight of self-responsibility, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself terrified of “stepping up” and reclaiming your power. It takes practice and courage.
9. Repeat the following affirmations
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Reclaim your personal power by repeating the following affirmations: “I can,” “I will,” “I have the power to decide,” “I am strong and courageous,” “I embrace my strength,” “I love the person I am,” “I stand up for myself,” “I am responsible for my life,” “I am worthy of love and kindness,” “I am whole.” The more you repeat these affirmations with sincerity, the more they will reprogram your unconscious mind, and therefore, open your solar plexus chakra. Try starting each morning with one of these affirmations.
10. Laugh at yourself
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
When we can laugh at ourselves and find humor in life, we have power. Even the darkest periods of life can be infused with humor. Humor is a great source of strength and reminds us that life is always in a state of transition. Nothing ever truly remains the same! When we find humor, we find freedom. The more serious you are, the more disconnected you are from your source of power.
11. Let go of unhealthy attachments
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Unhealthy attachments are tremendous sources of energy loss and are often responsible for solar plexus blockages and energy stagnation. Attachments can be emotional, mental, and also physical. We can become attached to ideals, beliefs, memories, expectations, desires, fears, people, places, objects, and substances.
Attachments are essentially forms of energy that become “stuck” in our bodies and minds. Sometimes, these bits of energy become so dense that they result in dangerous addictions and severely limiting habits. The best way to break an unhealthy attachment is by asking yourself, “Is this belief/memory/desire/object serving my highest good?” The moment you can acknowledge that something in your life is detrimental is the point when you can begin the process of recovery. Letting go is about learning how to take care of yourself and find inner stability and security without the need for an external crutch.
13. Take care of yourself every single day
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Healthy self-esteem is one of the cornerstones of a lively solar plexus chakra. When you take care of your body and psychological health, your energy instantly becomes harmonized. Think about what areas of your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health you have been neglecting. Otherwise, consider what is causing you the most pain in your life, and target that! For example, if you have been neglecting your body, it will manifest as aches, pain, and chronic illness. If you have been neglecting your heart, you will feel constantly stressed, angry, or overwhelmed.
Taking care of yourself is a form of SELF-LOVE and respect. Remember, no person can care for you better than YOU can. Only you know your deepest needs at any and every given moment.
14. Learn to breathe deeply and take a step back
Best suited to: excessive blockages
If you struggle with dominating or controlling other people, learn how to focus on your breath. By breathing deeply and taking a step back, you can think realistically about the situation (and person) at hand. Focusing on your breath will also give you the space to treat yourself with compassion and to understand that any form of EGO inflation eis a cry for love and attention.
15. Clear blocks with yoga
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Yoga is a potent and elegant way to reset your body and any suppressed energy that may be stored away. For opening the solar plexus, try yoga poses such as the bow pose, upward dog, full wheel pose, and the breath of fire. Please note that when you try these yoga poses, you may experience waves of emotional energy. Don’t worry; this energy is just being released as part of the clearing process.
16. Do a solar plexus visualization
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Imagine a throbbing or swirling ball of luminescent yellow light in your diaphragm. Feel the ball of golden energy dissolving all blockages or aggressive flows of energy within you.
17. Engage your willpower by setting goals
Best suited to: deficient blockages
Overcome lethargy by making a list of ten things you would like to accomplish, and dedicate yourself to completing those things. This willpower list can be as complex or simple as you like. For example, you might want to improve your posture, get more sleep, start a new eating plan, track your expenses, or read a certain book. By setting clear goals, you will be able to exercise your willpower more easily.
reference: www.lonerwolf.com
Really informative.