Rituals to balance the solar plexus chakra (manipura)
It’s time to meet your solar plexus chakra…
The solar plexus chakra, also known as manipura, is located above your belly button and below your sternum. It’s a buzzing hive of energy, activity and transformation both energetically & physically.
Not surprisingly the physical area of this chakra is central to so much activity - think of all the incredible biochemical reactions taking place in your digestive system - along with your core muscles, a source of powerful energy and fire for physically activity.
The element of fire is linked to the sacral chakra. The Sanskrit name, manipura, translates to ‘lustrous gem’, a sensational description of this bright & shiny chakra! A healthy energetic balance in this chakra strengthens our personal power, will, confidence and intellect.
What’s it’s purpose?
Energetically, the purpose of the sacral chakra is to transform, energise & empower. It’s firey essence raises the vibration up the chakra system and provides us with energy to process physically, mentally and spiritually.
This transformative energy helps us understand and bring meaning to our lives, it gives us the tools to rise above our primal nature. The colour yellow is linked to this chakra. Think bright, shiny and glistening energy to learn, think, combine ideas, form beliefs and share our thoughts.
How will I know if my solar plexus chakra is out of balance?
When in balance we feel like we have unlimited energy available to us, we are engaged in life, we are enthusiastic about learning new things and have pride in our knowledge and intellect. We’re movin’ & shakin’, we’re motivated to take on new challenges but we have the intellectual wisdom to balance this with rest.
If our solar plexus chakra is over active, we might feel:
Power hungry. Like we need to be in charge & distrust others to take our place.
Self centred. We’ve forgotten the old saying… “There’s no ‘I’ in T E A M!”
Like we can’t help but push our beliefs on to others.
Forceful if we don’t get what we want.
Overworked & unable to make time to rest & recharge.
If our solar plexus chakra is under active, we might feel:
Tired, so tired. All the time.
Like we have no drive, motivation or get up & go.
Like we can’t finish what we’ve started.
In a funk, a plateau in life with little desire to progress.
Hurry up and get to the good stuff! What can I do to balance my solar plexus chakra?
The answer: So many wonderful things!
Try our Feel & Flow Flower Elixir Vital Vibes. This fusion of flower essences & reiki energy balances solar plexus chakra energy.
Stoke that internal fire! An under active solar plexus chakra needs a regular practice which builds internal heat. Ideas include…
Yoga: The asanas, or physical practice of yoga, build heat. Have you felt the inner fire it creates? That’s often one of the things that motivates us to include yoga as part of our daily rituals. That feeling of invigoration & energy. If you start yoga feeling blah, flat, tired I promise your low energy & stagnant feelings will be transformed! Similarly, for me, when I’m feeling charged, adrenaline pumping, like I need to push on (typical of an over active solar plexus chakra), yoga will always bring me back into balance.
Pranayama (breath work): different pranayama techniques can also build internal heat. Try Kapalabhati or Ujjayi breathing.
Learn something new: It’s possible you may even be doing that right now! The solar plexus is stimulated by intellectual work so when learning new things lights you up, inspires and excites you, it sparks this chakra’s energy.
Work with crystals. Wear them, carry them, meditate with them. Basically make friends with crystals! Find an energetic boost & stay balanced, or set some fireworks alight and shake up those old ways of thinking. You might try:
Yellow Jasper for balanced power
Citrine for fire, energy & transformation
Sunstone to inspire independence for new journeys
Tiger’s Eye for strength & logic
Healing Herbs. As there is a connection between the energetic and physical body it’s possible if you identify your solar plexus is under or over active you may also realise your gut needs a little love too. Ginger & turmeric are two of my favourite digestive herbs and they are super delicious in cooking or you could try a ginger/turmeric golden latte. Being a naturopath, I love to take them as herbal extracts too.
Mantras can also be a wonderful way to focus on stoking that solar plexus fire. You might like to try: “I have the power to transform my life.” “I am confident & courageous.” “I will accomplish my goals.”