The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra. It is located above the naval near the diaphragm and is associated with the element of fire and the color yellow, like the sun. The Sanskrit name for the solar plexus chakra is “Manipura,” meaning “city of jewels.” This chakra is associated with the expression of will, personal power, and mental abilities or intelligence. Your solar plexus chakra is open and balanced when you feel self-confident, have a strong sense of purpose, and are self-motivated. Imbalance may result in the lack of direction and feelings of helplessness if your chakra is underactive, or excessive anger or the desire to exert control over others if your chakra is overactive.

The solar plexus chakra is associated with fire. This is inner fire as it relates to taking action and this is also the digestive fire associated with metabolism. 

When you have clear goals, desires, and intentions, you are able to move forward and achieve them. Each step you take toward these goals and intentions strengthens your solar plexus chakra, thus making it easier to take the next step. If you find you are stuck with a decision or aren’t sure which way to go, look to your solar plexus, your “gut,” for direction. Focus on the area of your solar plexus, think about your problem. Notice how you feel in this area as you think about the choices. A sinking or nauseating feeling may be an indication that the decision your thinking about is wrong. A lightening feeling, or a feeling of breathing easier, may be an indication it is the right decision.

The digestive fire, called Agni, is present in the solar plexus chakra. An open and aligned solar plexus chakra will improve your metabolism.

Physiological: The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel, near the diaphragm, in the solar plexus area. It is associated with digestion and metabolism. Its main function is to help transform food into energy to fuel your body. It’s commonly associated with the pancreas.

Imbalance: When the solar plexus chakra is out of balance, it may affect self-esteem, your social life, and your metabolism. This is where our sense of self originates so it can cause many issues.

The solar plexus chakra gives us the ability to relate to excerpt our will to get results and to have harmonious relationships with others and our surroundings. An underactive or blocked solar plexus chakra may make us feel we exist at the whim of others; feel a lack of direction; inability to make plans; or having a lot of ideas without finding efficient ways to realize them. An overactive solar plexus chakra may express itself in wanting excessive control over others and your environment.

Physical symptoms will manifest in the digestive system and near the “gut.” Issues may include ulcers, nausea, diabetes, respiratory issues, arthritis, organ issues (especially liver and kidneys), nerve pain and fibromyalgia, and difficulty with weight.

Non-physical disorders may include low self-esteem, inability to set or maintain boundaries, co-dependency, addiction, depression, and anxiety. 

Restoring Balance: The following practices may be helpful in restoring balance to the solar plexus chakra. 

• Meditate (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Focus on a golden healing flame near your navel. Feel the fire dissolving any hurt or pain you are storing near your solar plexus chakra. 
• Implement sound therapy (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Chanting or toning sounds can help bring you back to balance. Sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in synchronistic harmony. The mantra sound that corresponds to the solar plexus chakra is “RAM.”
• Practice yoga. Poses associated with aligning the solar plexus chakra include boat pose, seated spinal twist, and warrior. 
• Practice forced breathing. After starting with a few deep breaths in and out of your nose, with your lips closed, forcefully inhale through your nose while inflating the lower abdomen and forcefully exhale through the nose while pressing the lower abdomen toward your spine. Do this at a rapid pace. Try for 10 repetitions, working your way to 15 or 20. It will feel like you’re doing abdominal exercises. When you are done, you’ll feel a tingling or glowing near your navel.
• Drink beverages at room temperature or slightly warmed. Avoid adding ice. Eat no more than two cupped handfuls of food at each meal to avoid overeating. Take small sips of water while eating. Let your stomach rest between meals.
• Use stones to help you focus on your solar plexus chakra. Stones associated with this chakra include citrine, tiger’s eye, yellow tourmaline, and topaz.
• Use essential oils to connect with your solar plexus chakra. Essential oils associated with this chakra include juniper, frankincense, sandalwood, fennel, vetiver, cedarwood, lavender, helichrysum, myrrh, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, black pepper, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and peppermint.

The more in tune you become with your emotions and physical body, the easier it will be for you to sense when your chakra is out of balance. Becoming aware when you are experiencing imbalance will make it easier for you to intentionally apply tools to help you regain your balance. 

When the solar plexus chakra is balanced, you feel in control of your life. You are able to express your will in a healthy way without feeling the need to either submit to or dominate others.