How to Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra is also known as the solar plexus chakra or its Sanskrit name, Manipura which translates to “city of jewels” or “lustrous gem. It is associated with the fire element and plays an essential role in our spiritual and personal development, our personal power, confidence and self-esteem. Its most fundamental role is to keep our organs running smoothly and enabling the body to respond to stress by making changes to our metabolism thereby producing the fight or flight response.

When the solar plexus is blocked, it can result in pain. While it is concentrated around nerve fibres around the solar plexus area, it can also lead to pain in the chest and stomach, causing severe abdominal pain and intestinal contractions. An unbalanced solar plexus may also lead to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness.

Here are some practices that may help if you feel the need to rebalance your third chakra:

• Self-Reflection and Personal Empowerment: By taking time for self-reflection and introspection and identifying areas in your life where you may feel disempowered or lacking in confidence. Practice affirming your strengths and capabilities and set clear goals to take steps to regain your personal power and assertiveness.
•  Core-Strengthening Exercises: In order to strengthen your core muscles, engage in exercises such as yoga, Pilates, or abdominal workouts. These physical practices can help activate and energise the solar plexus chakra while promoting a sense of strength and empowerment.
•  Breathwork and Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to stimulate and balance the solar plexus chakra. Breathe deeply into your diaphragm, filling your belly with breath, and then exhale fully. Visualise the breath flowing into your solar plexus area, infusing it with revitalising energy.
• Yellow Colour Therapy: Surround yourself with the colour yellow, which is associated with the solar plexus chakra. Wear yellow clothing, use yellow objects in your environment or visualise a bright yellow light radiating from your solar plexus during meditation. This can help stimulate and balance the energy of the chakra.
• Mantras and Affirmations: Repeat empowering mantras or affirmations that relate to the solar plexus chakra. Examples include "I am confident and capable," "I am worthy of love and success," or "I embrace my personal power." Repeat these affirmations regularly to reinforce the balanced energy of the third chakra.
• Personal Boundaries: Set clear boundaries in your relationships and daily life. Learn to say "no" when necessary and assert your needs and values. Respect your own boundaries and encourage others to do the same. This will help establish a sense of personal power and self-respect.
• Digestive Health: The solar plexus chakra is connected to the digestive system. Take care of your digestive health by eating balanced meals, staying hydrated, and consuming foods that support digestion, such as fibre-rich fruits and vegetables. Bananas, pineapple, corn, lemons, and yellow curry are all good. Pay attention to any emotional or energetic blockages that could be affecting your digestion and address them accordingly.
• Emotional Healing: The solar plexus chakra can be influenced by unresolved emotions. Engage in emotional healing practices such as therapy or energy healing modalities to address and release any emotional blockages that may be affecting your self-esteem and personal power.
• Self-Confidence-Building Activities: Engage in activities that boost your self-confidence. This could include pursuing hobbies or interests you enjoy, taking on new challenges, or setting achievable goals. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small, to reinforce a positive self-image.
• Personal Power Poses: Practice power poses such as standing tall with your chest open and your arms outstretched or adopting a strong and confident posture. Research has shown that these poses can help increase feelings of empowerment and self-assurance.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Cultivate mindfulness and practice meditation to develop self-awareness and a deeper connection with your inner power. Set aside time each day for quiet reflection, focusing on your breath or a specific mantra that resonates with your personal power.
• Crystal Healing: Crystals like citrine, yellow calcite, or tiger's eye are associated with the solar plexus chakra. Carry them with you or place them on your solar plexus area during meditation to support the rebalancing process.
• Visualisation: Practice visualisations that focus on the solar plexus chakra. Close your eyes and imagine a bright, vibrant yellow ball of light in your solar plexus area. Visualise this light expanding and radiating confidence, personal power, and self-esteem throughout your entire body. See it clearing any blockages or imbalances within the chakra.
• Positive Self-Talk: Pay attention to your inner dialogue and replace self- limiting or negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Speak kindly to yourself and consciously choose words that empower and uplift you. Remind yourself about your strengths, accomplishments, and the value you bring to the world.
• Goal Setting: Set clear, achievable goals that align with your personal values and desires. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps, and celebrate your progress along the way. Working towards and accomplishing goals can enhance your sense of personal power and confidence.
• Embrace Leadership Opportunities: Seek out opportunities to take on leadership roles or responsibilities. This could be at work, within a community organisation, or in your personal life. Stepping into a leadership position can help you develop and express your personal power.
• Journaling for Empowerment: Use journaling as a tool for self-reflection and empowerment. Write about your strengths, successes, and moments when you felt confident and empowered. Explore any limiting beliefs or fears that may be holding you back and reframe them into positive affirmations.
• Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a practice of gratitude to shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life. Regularly express gratitude for the qualities, achievements, and experiences that make you feel confident and empowered. This can help elevate your overall energy and mindset.
• Seek Inspirational Role Models: Surround yourself with individuals who embody the qualities of confidence, personal power, and self-esteem that you admire. Observe and learn from their behaviours, mindset, and approach to life. Their examples can serve as inspiration and encouragement on your own journey.
• Engage in Personal Development: Invest in personal development resources, such as books, courses, workshops, or coaching, that focus on building self-confidence, assertiveness, and personal empowerment. Continuously learning and growing can have a positive impact on your solar plexus chakra.
• Embrace Authenticity: Honour your true self and express yourself authentically. Embrace your unique qualities, interests, and perspectives without seeking validation or approval from others. Trust in your intuition and let it guide you in making decisions that align with your personal power.
• Let Go of Control: Release the need to control every aspect of your life and trust in the flow of the universe. Understand that you have the power to make choices and take action, but there are also external factors beyond your control. Surrendering to this realisation can alleviate unnecessary stress and support the balance of the solar plexus chakra.

Remember that rebalancing the chakras is an ongoing practice, and different techniques may resonate with different individuals. Explore these practices, experiment with what works best for you, and be patient and compassionate with yourself as you cultivate a sense of personal power and confidence.