How To Balance The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra, known as the Manipura in Sanskrit, is the third of the seven main chakras. It is located around the navel and controls our metabolism.  

Represented by a bright yellow color, the solar plexus chakra governs the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpio, and is linked to the fire element. It governs our self-esteem and power of transformation. It is the source of our personal power.

A balanced solar plexus chakra brings a feeling of stability and security, a sense of belonging, and grounding.

Signs the Solar Plexus Chakra is Out of Balance

When our Solar Plexus chakra is out of balance, we can be on either extreme. One side has an over-inflated ego or feeling low or insecure. 

The good news about knowing our chakras is when we notice ourselves doing any one of these things or feeling a certain way, we can check ourselves and become re-aligned. 

When the solar plexus chakra is imbalanced or blocked, it may manifest in a number of physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. Some of the signs are:

• Digestive issues / Constipation
• Issues with the liver, colon, and the pancreas
• Overly controlling or manipulative behavior
• Poor sense of self
• Aggression and anger issues
• A lack of courage or direction
• Feel like we've loss purpose or meaning in our lives.
• Be un-disciplined and practice self-sabotaging behavior.

How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra

There are several ways to bring the solar plexus chakra back to balance. Some of the ways are:

Breathwork: The solar plexus chakra can be fired up with a pranayama technique called Kapalabhati or the skull-shining breath. This ignites the digestive fire and helps release toxins.  

Sound: Every chakra is associated with a unique sound. The seed sound for the solar plexus chakra is “ram”. Chanting this sound helps bring the chakra back to balance.

Meditation: Visualizing a bright yellow color around the navel area can help unblock the solar plexus chakra. Meditating while visualizing the healing energy of the sun is another powerful technique. You can also combine meditation with aromatherapy by burning some fiery incense like saffron or musk.

Affirmations: These affirmations work specifically on the solar plexus chakra and help restore personal power:

• I stand in my personal power.
• I am confident and courageous.
• I have everything that I need to pursue my purpose.
  
  

How balancing the solar plexus chakra can improve your life

One of the biggest changes that you can experience when the solar plexus chakra comes back in balance is feeling secure. This leads to a strong sense of empowerment. You come into your personal power.

Letting go becomes easier. Rather than being controlling, you rest assured in your self-worth. You feel inspired, purposeful, and driven.

If your Solar Plexus chakra is open and healthy, these are the things you might experience: 

• Strong sense of self-worth and confidence.
• Ability to set healthy boundaries with people in a respectful way. 
• Sure of our purpose and our life direction. 
• Not putting our self-worth in the hands or opinions of others. 
  
  

Yoga poses to help balance the solar plexus chakra

Yoga helps release any physical, mental, and emotional blockages in the solar plexus chakra. Here are some yoga poses that you can incorporate into your routine:

1- Dhanurasana or Bow Pose

Bow pose is wonderful for creating heat in the abdominal area. It is a deep backbend that opens the heart and stimulates the entire area around the solar plexus chakra.

The body in this pose comes into the shape of an archer’s bow. The benefits of this pose are immense – it strengthens the back, improves flexibility of the hip flexors and spine, improves posture, promotes a healthier and more effective metabolism, and relieves menstrual discomfort.

Since this pose creates a deep stretch, it is recommended to warm up the body before getting into it.

2- Navasana or Boat Pose

Boat pose is one of the most effective poses for improving core strength and working on the abdominals. It improves digestion, relieves stress, and strengthens the back, arms, and hip flexors.

While deeply beneficial for the body, this pose also challenges our mental strength. There is a lot happening – you are expected to open and extend your body while also settling in with the heat that it is creating.

You can keep your knees bent in this pose for making it more accessible.

Check out my Solar Plexus balancing meditation in the YouTube video below to help you get familiar with and open your Solar Plexus chakra.