The solar plexus is an important energy center located in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. It is sometimes called the “third chakra” or the manipura chakra in Sanskrit. Blockages in the solar plexus can manifest in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual ways. Understanding the causes and symptoms of a blocked solar plexus can help restore balance and flow of energy through this chakra.
What is the solar plexus?
The solar plexus is one of the main chakras or energy centers in the body. It is located above the navel in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. In Sanskrit, it is called “manipura” which means “lustrous gem.”
The solar plexus is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire. It is connected to our sense of self, personal power, will, and autonomy. The solar plexus chakra also influences digestion and metabolism.
When the solar plexus chakra is open and balanced, we feel confident, self-assured, and ready to take on challenges. An blocked or closed solar plexus can manifest as low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, and digestive issues.
Signs and symptoms of a blocked solar plexus
Here are some common signs that your solar plexus may be blocked or imbalanced:
Physical symptoms
– Digestive problems like indigestion, bloating, gas, constipation
– Stomach pain or cramps
– Low appetite or excessive appetite
– Weight gain or weight loss
– Fatigue, low energy
– Muscle tension or pain in the stomach/abdomen
– High blood pressure
Emotional symptoms
– Lack of confidence and self-esteem
– Difficulty making decisions
– Uncertainty and confusion
– Anxiety, fear, or nervousness
– Moodiness, irritability, anger
– Depression
Mental/spiritual symptoms
– Feeling like you have no personal power
– Difficulty manifesting goals and desires
– Creative blocks
– Feeling disconnected from your core self
– Lacking motivation and drive
– Feeling like a victim
What causes a blocked solar plexus?
There are many potential causes of blocked energy flow through the solar plexus chakra:
Stress
Chronic stress taxes your solar plexus by keeping it in a constant state of arousal. The hormones released during the stress response, like cortisol, can disrupt digestive function over time.
Trauma
Past emotional or physical trauma that has not been resolved often gets stuck in the solar plexus. This is especially true for childhood trauma. The solar plexus stores the primal impulse for survival, so trauma gets locked in this chakra.
Poor diet
Eating too many processed, fatty, or sugary foods can sludge up your digestive tract and weigh down the solar plexus region. Staying hydrated and eating clean, light foods helps keep energy flowing.
Lack of exercise
Regular exercise helps move lymph and stimulate circulation to keep the solar plexus energized. Lack of movement can lead to sluggishness.
Ignoring your needs
If you consistently ignore your own needs and personal power, you essentially numb and block the solar plexus. Standing up for yourself and setting boundaries protects your solar plexus.
Power struggles
Challenging relationships where you feel disempowered or engage in frequent conflict can really tax your solar plexus chakra. Learning to stand your ground and speak up for yourself will help prevent energy drain.
Control issues
People who constantly try to control situations and others often have a blocked solar plexus. This manifests from trust issues and lack of self-control. Relinquishing the need for control allows this chakra to relax.
Holding onto emotions
Suppressing or resisting your feelings, especially anger, resentment, bitterness, or grief contributes to a clogged solar plexus. Allowing yourself to fully process emotions is very clearing.
Self-criticism
Excessive self-criticism and negative self-talk weakens the solar plexus by eroding your confidence and willpower. Self-love, acceptance, and forgiveness restores balance.
7 Strategies to unblock and activate the solar plexus
If your solar plexus feels stuck, closed, or sluggish, here are some methods to clear blockages, stimulate energy flow, and restore balance:
1. Emotional release
Identify any trapped emotions, past hurts, anger, or grievances you’ve been harboring and consciously release them. Emotional clearing techniques like journaling, therapy, art, and meditation all help clear the solar plexus.
2. Bodywork and massage
Massage, acupressure, myofascial release and other bodywork directly targets the solar plexus area to relieve muscle tension, stimulate circulation, and calm the nervous system.
3. Exploring creativity
Since the solar plexus rules creativity and personal expression, reignite your passion by exploring creative hobbies like art, dance, writing, or music.
4. Core strengthening exercise
Pilates, yoga poses like boat pose, planks, and abdominal strengthening exercises energize the core region.
5. Solar plexus chakra yoga
Specific yoga poses like churning stomach pose, seated spinal twist, and camel pose help awaken the solar plexus.
6. Breathwork
Pranayama breathing exercises that expand the belly like diaphragmatic breathing, ocean breath, and belly breathing oxygenate and open up the solar plexus.
7. Solar plexus meditation
There are many guided meditations designed to unblock and energize the solar plexus chakra through visualization, mantras, and healing energy.
When to seek medical advice
While simple chakra opening techniques can help unblock mild stagnation, chronic or severe symptoms related to the solar plexus should be evaluated by your doctor, especially digestive issues. There may be an underlying medical condition that needs proper treatment.
Severe chronic stress and trauma may also require counseling or psychotherapy for true healing. Solar plexus blockages that persist even after chakra healing methods may reflect deeper emotional wounds or biochemical imbalances that need professional support.
Solar plexus chakra healing tips
– Wear yellow – the color of the solar plexus – to energize this chakra. Jewelry like gold, citrine, or amber also activates the area.
– Carry a citrine or yellow calcite crystal in your pocket or over your solar plexus. The solar plexus resonates with all yellow and golden gemstones.
– Apply a yellow essential oil like grapefruit, lemongrass, or ginger to the solar plexus area.
– Drink warm lemon water to aid digestion and cleanse the solar plexus.
– Practice solar plexus chakra affirmations like “I am confident” or “I powerfully manifest my desires.”
– Engage your core and stretch your abdominal muscles with exercise.
– Stand tall with your shoulders back and take full energized breaths.
– Honor your needs, desires, and values – this strengthens your solar plexus chakra.
When to seek an energy healer
If you feel your solar plexus is blocked despite efforts to unstick it, consulting an energy healer can help. Various energy healing modalities like reiki, pranic healing, shamanic healing, and quantum touch use hands-on and distant techniques to clear blockages, repair damage, and restore proper energy flow to the solar plexus and entire chakra system.
An energy healer can detect imbalances in your aura and energy field, and release stuck emotions, trauma, limiting beliefs, and anything else that may be blocking your solar plexus. They can channel healing energy to dissolve stagnation, recharge this chakra, and harmonize its function.
Working with an energy healer provides focused solar plexus healing to complement your self-care efforts like diet, exercise, meditation, and creative expression. With professional energy work and daily chakra care, you’ll keep your solar plexus vibrant, empowered, and flowing freely.
The takeaway
The solar plexus chakra in the upper abdomen governs our sense of self, personal power, and energy. When blocked or imbalanced, it can manifest in physical symptoms like digestive and abdominal issues as well as emotional, mental, and spiritual symptoms. Techniques like breathwork, yoga, meditation, crystal healing, and emotional release can unstick and activate this vital chakra. Consulting an energy healer provides targeted professional care using various energy modalities. Keeping your solar plexus chakra clear and energized allows you to embrace your confidence, stand in your power, and manifest your best life.
