You have ever had those days when you feel you can conquer the world? That there is a blazing ball of passion and energy brewing inside you? That’s your Solar Plexus Chakra at work.

The Solar Plexus Chakra, otherwise known as the Manipura Chakra, is the third chakra in the system of seven chakras. This energy center is where one can be truly confident and assertive and make decisions based on inner wisdom. It is key to unlocking one’s power and a great way to build a solid sense of self.

Yet when this chakra goes out of balance, we may experience insecurity and self-doubt and be lost in life. But the important news is that with yogic techniques, we can bring this chakra back into balance and tap into our inner power again.

In this Solar Plexus Chakra guide, you will learn everything about the Manipura Chakra, its characteristics, signs and symptoms, and how to heal it with powerful yogic techniques like affirmations, meditation, and yoga poses.

Check out: 7 Chakra Yoga: Classical Poses for Holistic Health & Harmony

What Is the Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra)?

The third energy center of the body is known as the Manipura Chakra or the Solar Plexus Chakra. The Manipura Chakra spreads the fire element in your body which brings energy, warmth, and light. This is also the energy center of the samana vayu or samana prana, which is the energy of digestion. Intellect, ego, willpower, and aggression are also common qualities of the third chakra.

Where Is the Solar Plexus Chakra Located?

The place of the Solar Plexus Chakra is at four fingerbreadths above the navel, just below the rib cage. That is on the line from the end of the sternum to the navel in the solar plexus. It’s the navel region.

What Is the Meaning of the Solar Plexus Chakra?

‘Mani’ means the shining gem and ‘pura’ means the place, so Manipura translates to “place of shining gem”. Fire is the shiniest element of all the five elements, and the Solar Plexus Chakra is the energy center of fire. Therefore, the third chakra is called the place of fire, or Manipura Chakra.

What Is the Solar Plexus Chakra Responsible for?

The Manipura Chakra is the energy center of the fire element and fire prana (samana). It receives the element from the sun as well as food, which contains heat and samana energy.

When balanced, the third chakra brings with it confidence, self-motivation, and a purpose. However, negative energy can easily lead you towards low self-esteem and issues of control. Imbalances may also lead to conditions like exhaustion, overeating, excessive gain in weight, disorders related to the digestive system, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.

Characteristics of the Solar Plexus Chakra

Color: Yellow

The color related to the Solar Plexus Chakra is yellow. Since chakras get their color from the element surrounding them, Manipura Chakra displays the yellow color of the fire element. This color represents energy, intellect, and your connection to the fire and the sun.

The yellow chakra also represents youth, new beginnings, and rebirth. Yellow connects us with knowledge and intellect. So if you are drawn to the color yellow, it could mean intellectual pursuits.

Element: Fire

The element of the Solar Plexus Chakra is fire or Agni. We get fire from the sun in the form of heat. We get it directly from the sunlight but also from the foods which absorb sunlight. Fire energizes the prana samana which forms the life force needed for the digestion and metabolic processes. This is why fire energy is highly important to our digestive and absorptive capabilities.

The fire element lights up the spark of consciousness that drives us forward to achieve success and good health. Staying in the third chakra for too long can result in burnout. However, if the third chakra is neglected, then you will be feeling weak, fearful, and inert. The love and happiness that we enjoy in our hearts are ignited in the third chakra and shoot up to the Heart Chakra.

Manipura Chakra & Emotions

The fire element is represented in the body as heat or Agni. In the middle of the physical and astral body, the Manipura Chakra attracts prana and manages this life energy to balance the body and mind. Extra fire energy in this chakra creates impulsive reactions like anger and aggression, which is a sign of the blocked Solar Plexus Chakra.

The emotions associated with this energy center are excitement, happiness, depression, and anger. Some other qualities include: 

• Intellect
• Clarity
• Willpower
• Assertiveness
• Discipline
• Self-confidence
• Aggression

Intellect & the Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is our intellect center. It houses our capacity to think so that we can analyze situations and conditions in life. We each are born with a rich portion of intellect, but if our Solar Plexus Chakra does not find a balance, then we might end up not being able to analyze situations properly.

An imbalance here allows our primal instincts, which are regulated by the lower chakras in the Root and Sacral Chakra, to dominate our rational minds. This causes us to feel overwhelming fear and insecurity, thus warping our senses of reality. For example, we are feeling insecure and distressed; our judgment gets clouded, and we tend to see and hear only what we want rather than the reality of the situation.

On the contrary, when this chakra is in balance, we can face the trials of life with clarity of mind and without being hampered by one’s ego and desires. Then we can think clearly and make balanced decisions.

Also Read: Throat Chakra Healing Symptoms

Solar Plexus Chakra Signs & Symptoms

A shortage of the element and Samana prana can cause the chakra to move too fast. When it does not refresh and over-accumulate, the opposite occurs. This causes an imbalance in the energy system.

When a Chakra is blocked or out of balance, it may first manifest as physical and emotional problems. Since the Manipura Chakra is situated in the upper abdomen, a blockage or imbalance often leads to disorders related to digestion. The physical signs of a blockage of the Solar Plexus Chakra are: 

• Indigestion
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Eating disorders
• Weight gain
• Ulcers
• Diabetes
• Pancreas, liver, and colon disorders
• Heartburn
• Sensitive or bleeding gums.

Blockage or imbalance in the Solar Plexus Chakra can also cause emotional problems such as:

• Over-analysis or paralysis by analysis
• Uncontrolled anger and irritation
• Low self-confidence
• Mistrust and doubt towards people in your life
• Insecure and low self-esteem
• Need for continuous confirmation and validation from others
• Tendency to become unhealthy and attached to people in your life
• Rigid and controlling
• Self-victimizing attitude
• Feeling lost and unmotivated
• Have a hard time setting limits.

You feel confident, powerful, and ready for whatever lies ahead when you open and balance the energy of this center. Other signs of a Solar Plexus Chakra opening include:

• Strength in self-confidence and self-worth
• A clear sense of personal identity and purpose
• Feeling empowered to take action toward goals and dreams
• Good digestion and metabolism
• This center opens to reveal the strength and inner resilience within you.
• One can decide with ease and also trust one’s self
• A person is willing to take risks and step out of his or her comfort zone.
• Mind is clear
• Emotions in control

Conclusion

Manipura Chakra is the center of fire or Agni. Fire burns negativity to create and maintain the positive. The balanced energy center contributes to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Practicing meditation and yoga postures along with affirmations for Solar Plexus Chakra helps in balancing the energy system and success in any venture or work, besides longevity.