The yellow chakra, also known as the solar plexus chakra or manipura chakra, is located in the upper abdomen area. Specifically, it is located two inches above the navel and two inches below the sternum. This chakra is associated with the color yellow and is represented by a yellow lotus with ten petals.
The solar plexus chakra plays an important role in our sense of self, self-esteem, and personal power. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confident, self-assured, and ready to take on life’s challenges. However, when it is blocked or imbalanced, we may experience low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, and feelings of anger or bitterness.
In this article, we will explore the solar plexus chakra in more depth. We will cover its location, associated body parts, function, signs of imbalance, and how to heal and balance this chakra. Understanding the manipura chakra is key for harnessing your inner power, self-confidence, and warriors spirit.
Exact Physical Location
As mentioned above, the solar plexus chakra is located in the upper abdomen area. To be more precise:
- It sits two inches above the navel
- It sits two inches below the sternum or breastbone
- It is located behind the stomach and in front of the spine
You can visualize its location by placing your fingers two inches above your belly button or placing your hand palm-side down over your stomach area. The solar plexus sits at the back of this area.
In terms of spinal level, the manipura chakra corresponds to the T10-T11 vertebrae. So along the spine, it sits at the level of the upper abdomen.
Energetically, this chakra radiates outward from the spine in the area between the navel and sternum. When you meditate on this chakra, you want to bring your awareness to this portion of the upper abdomen.
Associated Body Parts and Organs
The solar plexus chakra is associated with different parts of the body, primarily the upper abdomen region. The main correspondences are:
- Digestive system – stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder
- Digestive functions – digestion, metabolism
- Nervous system – celiac plexus
- Endocrine system – adrenal glands
- Lymphatic system – thymus gland
- Muscles – abdominal and back muscles
- Skin – upper abdomen
Imbalances in the solar plexus chakra can manifest as digestive issues, eating disorders, diabetes, ulcers, adrenal fatigue, or nervous system issues.
On a mental-emotional level, the manipura chakra is our center of personal power. It governs self-confidence, self-worth, decisiveness, and our warrior/fighter instincts.
Function and Significance
As noted above, the solar plexus chakra serves many important functions, both physically and spiritually. Here is an overview:
- Seat of our personal power – Self-confidence, self-esteem, decision-making, and willpower originate here.
- Emotional center – Processes emotions, gut instincts and gut feelings.
- Warrior energy – Houses our inner warrior, fighter and survivor instincts.
- Ego and self-identity – Sense of self, personal identity and ego are associated with this chakra.
- Transformation – Solar plexus is a transformative chakra that digests emotions, people, places and experiences.
- Action and balance – Manipura motivates us towards goal-directed action and drives us to balance the lower and higher chakras.
When the solar plexus chakra is opened and balanced, we feel self-assured, ready to stand up for ourselves, decisive, motivated, strong-willed and energized. We know who we are and feel comfortable expressing our identity and needs.
However, blocks or imbalances in this chakra can manifest as poor self-image, difficulty making decisions, low motivation, chronic fear or anxiety, anger issues, digestive problems, lack of energy, and more.
Overall, keeping the manipura chakra healthy ensures our personal power, self-esteem and action-orientation remain strong. It allows us to transform challenging experiences into growth and fuel for achieving our highest potential.
Signs of an Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra
When the solar plexus chakra is out of balance, we may experience a variety of physical, emotional or energetic issues. Here are some common signs:
Physical issues:
- Digestive problems – bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea
- Stomach ulcers, acid reflux
- Low appetite or overeating
- Nausea, abdominal pain
- Blood sugar problems, diabetes
- Adrenal exhaustion
- Weak immune system
Emotional/mental issues:
- Low self-esteem
- Poor body image
- Lack of self-confidence
- Indecisiveness
- Difficulty overcoming fears
- Feelings of victimhood
- Anger, bitterness, resentment
Energetic/spiritual issues:
- Feeling disconnected from personal power
- Lack of motivation and drive
- Difficulty facing challenges
- Feeling disempowered
- Avoiding conflict
- Feeling unsatisfied with life
If you identify with several of these signs, it may indicate your solar plexus chakra needs some healing and balancing.
How to Balance the Solar Plexus Chakra
There are many effective ways to balance, heal and strengthen the manipura chakra. Here are some methods to try:
- Reflect on your self-limiting beliefs. Low self-worth often stems from subconscious limiting beliefs. Reflect on any negative beliefs about yourself and consciously replace them with positive, empowering beliefs.
- Practice solar plexus meditations. Sit quietly and focus your attention on your solar plexus. Visualize yellow light filling and radiating outward from this area.
- Wear yellow. Add yellow clothing, gemstones or decor to your space to energize this chakra.
- Get active. Physical activity and core-strengthening exercises energize the solar plexus.
- Improve your diet. Eat yellow foods like lemons, pineapple, yellow peppers and solar plexus-strengthening ginger.
- Take up martial arts. Activities like karate boost power, confidence and warrior spirit.
- Practice breathing exercises. Deep belly breathing directly stimulates this chakra.
- Release anger and fear. Process any repressed anger or anxiety through counseling, energy healing or emotional release techniques.
- Establish boundaries. Stand up for your needs to build self-worth and personal power.
- Aromatherapy. Solar plexus oils like lemon and rosemary improve mood, self-assurance and energy.
Consistency is key when healing any chakra. Take time each day to focus on solar plexus opening through meditation, visualization, yoga poses, chanting and other chakra-balancing activities.
The Solar Plexus and Spiritual Wellbeing
While the lower three chakras represent our basic needs and desires, the solar plexus is a bridge to the upper spiritual chakras. Manipura integrates the forces of the lower and higher chakras.
When open and balanced, the solar plexus chakra allows prana or life force energy to flow smoothly up to the heart, throat, third eye and crown. This empowers the higher chakras and facilitates spiritual growth.
Specifically, the solar plexus fuels the:
- Heart chakra – When we feel good about ourselves, we can more easily open our heart center to give and receive love.
- Throat chakra – Self-confidence gives us the voice to speak and live our truth.
- Third eye – Personal power allows us to visualize our path forward and manifest goals.
- Crown chakra – With a strong sense of self, we can surrender the ego to connect with higher guidance and consciousness.
Additionally, the fire element associated with the solar plexus fuels the inner purification needed for spiritual advancement. It provides the courage and willpower to overcome inner demons, limiting beliefs and negative patterns as we walk the path.
In short, opening and healing your solar plexus chakra is essential for realizing your fullest spiritual potential. A weak or closed manipura leads to stagnation on the spiritual path.
The Color Yellow
Yellow is the color associated with the solar plexus chakra. This sunny hue energizes the body, uplifts the spirit and builds confidence, optimism and enthusiasm.
In the chakra system, yellow has the following symbolic meanings:
- Warmth – Yellow is warm, energizing and uplifting like sunshine.
- Vitality – It infuses us with joy, optimism and vigor.
- Clarity – Yellow lightens and illuminates, bringing clarity and insight.
- Power – The boldness of yellow empowers the solar plexus.
- Logic – This academic color stimulates the intellect and analytical mind.
- Courage – Bright yellow inspires bravery and confidence.
To balance your solar plexus chakra, surround yourself with yellow in these ways:
- Wear yellow clothing, jewelry or accessories.
- Eat yellow foods like lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, apricots, squash and saffron.
- Place yellow flowers like daisies, sunflowers, marigolds or daffodils in your environment.
- Drink yellow herbal teas like chamomile or lemon balm.
- Use yellow candles, lamps, bedding or artwork.
- Practice solar plexus visualizations in yellow hues.
Let the warmth of yellow infuse your being and energize your personal power center.
Solar Plexus Yoga Poses
Certain yoga postures help open, strengthen and balance the solar plexus chakra. Here are some excellent solar plexus poses:
Boat Pose (Navasana) – Sitting on the floor, balance on the sit bones and raise the legs up and arms parallel to the floor. Engages the core.
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) – Lying on the stomach, reach back and grab the ankles then lift the thighs and chest off the floor. Opens the front of the body.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) – Lying on the back, push through the feet to raise the hips toward the ceiling. Strengthens the back body.
Camel Pose (Ustrasana) – Kneel on the floor and arch back to grab the heels. A backbend that compresses the abdomen.
Half Boat Pose (Ardha Navasana) – Sitting up tall, raise the feet a few inches off the floor and extend the arms forward parallel to the ground. Builds core strength.
Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana) – In a lunge, twist the torso over the front thigh. Twists massage the internal organs.
Reverse Plank (Purvottanasana) – In a plank pose, turn hands behind you and lift the torso up and arched back. Opens the front of the body.
Over time, a balanced solar plexus yoga practice boosts confidence, vitality and power.
Solar Plexus Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements we repeat to transform limiting beliefs and direct our subconscious towards empowering change. Here are helpful solar plexus affirmations:
- I radiate confidence and self-worth.
- My inner power drives me towards success.
- I courageously speak my truth.
- My warrior spirit overcomes all obstacles.
- My self-esteem grows stronger each day.
- I am the master of my emotions and instincts.
- I boldly pursue my dreams.
- I calmly make wise decisions.
- Strength and courage fill my being.
Repeat these affirmations out loud or silently to yourself throughout the day. Harness their power to boost self-confidence and personal empowerment.
Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Stones
Certain crystals and gemstones resonate with the solar plexus chakra’s energies. Wearing or carrying these solar plexus stones can stabilize, strengthen and heal this center. Here are some top manipura crystals:
Yellow Topaz – Yellow topaz is the primary solar plexus crystal. It enhances personal power, manifestation abilities and discipline.
Citrine – This sunny stone promotes optimism, confidence, creativity and motivation. It’s excellent for depression.
Tiger’s Eye – Tiger’s eye enhances courage, inner strength, manifestation and insight. It helps us realize our potential.
Pyrite – Pyrite is nicknamed “fool’s gold” but boosts intellect, focus, logic and male energies.
Yellow Calcite – This absorptive stone flushes out old energies and brings in vitality and stamina.
Golden Healer Quartz – The solar qualities of citrine and pyrite infuse this crystal with healing solar plexus energies.
Yellow Jasper – Jasper provides a sense of empowerment and helps turn ideas into action.
Carnelian – Carnelian boosts creativity, courage, productivity and motivation – all solar plexus traits.
Place any of these solar plexus stones over your manipura chakra during meditation. Carry them throughout the day or sleep with them under your pillow. Their solar energies will balance, heal and empower your third chakra.
Aromatherapy for the Solar Plexus Chakra
Essential oils that correspond to the solar plexus chakra provide healing through aromatherapy. Diffusing these yellow scents or applying topically can rebalance this chakra. Here are some excellent solar plexus oils:
- Grapefruit Oil – Restores confidence and optimism. Energizes the nervous system.
- Lemon Oil – Improves concentration, uplifts mood and aids digestion.
- Lemongrass Oil – Decreases anxiety and depression. Boosts energy.
- Peppermint Oil – Stimulates the mind, boosts energy and aids digestion.
- Juniper Oil – Calms emotions, reduces anxiety and boosts inner strength.
- Fennel Oil – Reduces anger, improves focus and mental clarity.
- Rosemary Oil – Enhances mental focus and performance. Energizes the body.
Experiment with different solar plexus oil blends to find what works best for you. Inhale their invigorating scents or massage into the solar plexus area.
The Solar Plexus and Trauma
Past trauma, especially emotional or physical trauma to the stomach or digestive system, can severely impact the solar plexus chakra. PTSD,
