Where is the Solar Plexus Chakra and How Does it Affect Your Body?

Last Updated on February 8, 2023

Did you know that there is an energy point that serves as the epicenter of our identity, ego, and willpower?

It drives us to understand ourselves better and form our identity separate from external influences and our internal pressures. It relates to our conscious self, known as our ego, and gives us the will to pursue what we want in life.

This energy center is the solar plexus chakra that governs one’s power and self-esteem. Its original name in Sanskrit is “Manipura,” which means “lustrous gem” or “city of jewels.” In tantric traditions, this means “to shine like a pearl,” just like how we want our unique personality to stand out.

This spinning wheel of energy gives you the courage to achieve your goals despite challenges. It also gives you the will and strength to follow your intuition without other people’s validation.

In this article, you will:

gain a deeper understanding of your solar plexus chakra and how we associate it with elements and symbols
learn where it is specified in your body and the parts it covers
know the effects when this energy center falls out of balance

understand ways to balance the manipura chakra

Understanding the solar plexus chakra

There are seven chakras in our chakra system. One of them is the solar plexus or manipura chakra in sanskrit. It is the third chakra and is connected with the yellow color.

Yellow radiates energy, power, and positivity. It also exudes warmth and brightness, the same fire or flame qualities we associate with this energy point.

The solar plexus chakra’s symbol is a circle with ten petals with a triangle pointing downwards. The inverted triangle signifies inner fire and this chakra’s transformative ability. Its yellow color represents the sun and its radiating energy.

The ten petals in the symbol represent the ten subtle energies based on the context of Ayurveda. From this perspective, people believe that the petals point to the ten pranas or vayus, each with its own function and movement in the body.

The healing crystals that people use for the chakra healing of this energy center are the ones that come in yellow. Citrine, topaz, yellow tourmaline, and tiger’s eye gemstones can help heal and unblock this chakra.

The solar plexus chakra in your body

Where is the solar plexus chakra? It is in your abdomen just above your navel, covering it until the breastbone. Your third chakra encompasses your stomach, digestive tract, and the middle of your back.

Digestive tract organs

This part of the digestive system breaks down the food you take in and turns them into carbohydrates, nutrients, proteins, and fats. The organs, including your food pipe, stomach, intestines, and anus, make up your digestive tract.

The physical illnesses resulting from a manipura chakra imbalance involve stomach-related issues like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic stomach aches.

Accessory digestive organs

The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder are not part of the digestive tract but have specific roles in digestion.

From the medical perspective, people call them accessory organs as they aid digestive activities. An imbalance in the solar plexus chakra can cause diabetes, pancreatitis, and liver-related issues.

Adrenal glands

The solar plexus also governs the adrenal glands responsible for producing adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol. The effects of the third chakra that fall out of balance include anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, and other gastric symptoms.

How Solar Plexus Chakra Affects the Body

Physically

The solar plexus chakra is placed in the stomach and regulates digestion, metabolism, and other bodily functions. It can influence things like energy levels, organ function, and even weight gain or loss when it’s out of balance.

When this third chakra is open and balanced, you will feel energized, and your physical body will be healthy and strong.

Mentally

The solar plexus chakra influences your sense of personal warrior energy, self-esteem, and ability to make decisions confidently. When the solar plexus energy is balanced, you will feel in control, clear-minded, and empowered to take on any tasks or achievements that come your way.

Emotionally

The solar plexus chakra governs your sense of self-worth and ambition. When it is in balance, you will have a healthy outlook on yourself, be able to accept compliments with ease and find joy in accomplishments.

A balanced solar plexus chakra gives you a strong sense of yourself that helps you find the courage to follow your desired path. You also have a clear direction and clarity on what you want to do in life.

Sign of Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra

Physical Symptoms

The physical signs of an underactive solar plexus chakra can include digestive issues such as

indigestion,
bloating, and constipation;

fatigue;
back pain;
soreness in the lower abdomen; headaches;

difficulty concentrating;
skin rashes or other skin issues like eczema or psoriasis; appetite changes;
weight gain or loss;

and muscle tension or pain.

Experiencing any of these physical symptoms could be an indication that your solar plexus chakra is out of balance.

Mental Symptoms

The mental symptoms of a blocked solar plexus chakra include:

feeling unfocused and scattered;
difficulty making decisions;
feeling overwhelmed by tasks that should be simple to complete;

getting stuck in negative thought patterns that lead to feelings of anxiety or depression;
lacking confidence in yourself and your abilities;
feeling powerless over certain aspects of your life that seem out of control;

feeling like you don’t have direction in life or a sense of purpose.

Emotional Symptoms

An imbalance in the manipura chakra can cause physical manifestations rooted in one’s experiences and psychological baggage.

Have negative emotions and fear rejection and criticism.

Don’t want the feeling of being ignored and always seek everyone’s validation.
Uncontrolled bursts of anger or frustration.
Fearfulness around new situations or people.

Feeling like a victim with no control over what happens to you.
Feel like you don’t belong anywhere or have anyone who understands you.
Powerlessness and the inability to express your anger.

Have low self-esteem and difficulty making important decisions.

As mentioned, the solar plexus chakra is the core of your ego and self-identity. We feel good about ourselves whenever we do something good, and someone recognizes that action. It gives a boost to our ego.

Ways to Balance Solar Plexus Chakra

Meditation

Meditation is an excellent way to balance your solar plexus chakra. It helps to focus and direct energy within the body, making you more aware of yourself and your needs.

When you meditate on the third chakra, focus on the color yellow and visualize a warm light radiating from the center of your body.

Visualize yourself as being empowered and in control of your life. You are also radiating warmth and confidence throughout your entire body. This will help to open up the solar plexus area so that energy can flow freely through it again.

Yoga

Yoga is another excellent way to balance the manipura chakra to bring vibrancy back into your life.

Yoga poses such as boat pose (navasana) or standing forward bend (uttanasana) are great for balancing the solar plexus chakra because they help strengthen the core muscles associated with this specific energy center in our bodies.

These poses also stimulate digestion which helps us absorb nutrients better, further strengthening our core muscles and increasing energy flow in this region of our bodies.

Reiki

Reiki is a type of chakra healing used to clear and balance out energetic imbalances within our bodies – including those related to the solar plexus chakra.

During a reiki session, a practitioner will channel healing energy directly into areas where there is blockage or disharmony to restore balance to your body’s energetic system. This can be done either hands-on or remotely, depending on what works best for you.

Essential Oils

Essential oils have long been used for emotional healing due to their powerful aromas that can evoke certain feelings when inhaling them deeply enough.

Certain essential oils, such as lemon oil or bergamot oil, are beneficial for unblocking stuck energies in the solar plexus chakra because they have uplifting aromas that encourage us to feel more confident and empowered within ourselves again.

Affirmations

Affirmations can help balance the manipura chakra by reinforcing positive thoughts and beliefs about personal power, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Here are some affirmations you can use to balance your Solar Plexus Chakra:

“I am confident and in control of my life.”
“I trust my instincts and make decisions with clarity.”
“I am worthy and deserving of respect.”

“I am empowered and capable of achieving my goals and creating positive change.”
“I am strong and proud of who I am.”

Repeat positive affirmations daily, either out loud or in your mind, and focus on the feelings of confidence and empowerment they evoke to reverse negative thought patterns.

Conclusion

It is good to understand your solar plexus chakra and which of your body organs and aspects of your life it governs.

Activities like yoga, reiki, and meditation can help you maintain balance and heal your solar plexus chakra. You may use other tools like gemstones, chakra candles, and essential oils to aid you with healing. Cleansing yourself off negative thoughts and emotions can also make your solar plexus chakra work in harmony with other energy centers in your body.

Chakra balancing of our solar plexus helps us become more grounded in ourselves so that we have more clarity when making decisions about our lives. It also increases our overall well-being by making us more confident and connected to those around us.

By understanding more deeper of our chakra system, you be aware of which part of yourself needs your attention. Either your solar plexus or knowing where is spiritual eye located to heightened awareness of your spiritual chakras. Whichever of the seven chakras needs to improve, your intention must remove negative energy and bring harmony back into your lives by restoring balance within your bodies.

Related: Which Chakra Deals With Shame?