Solar Plexus Chakra Healing

The third of the major chakras is the solar plexus or navel chakra. As with all the articles in this series, as you read on you will learn about this energy centre’s characteristics, how it affects us, signs of a balanced / unbalanced chakra and some simple steps you can take to assist with solar plexus chakra healing.

The amount of healing you need and for how long will vary from person to person, and you will find some of the techniques “more you” than others. For deep-rooted problems or if you have medical issues, always seek professional guidance.

What is the Solar Plexus Chakra

The Sanskrit name for the third chakra is Manipura, which translates roughly as “lustrous gem” – it can be interpreted that the beauty of this chakra attracts the life force energy into our very selves like a magnet. It’s located mid-torso, about 15cm above the navel. This chakra is represented by a 10-petal lotus and the colour associated with it is yellow or gold. The representative sense is sight and the element is fire.

The life stage corresponding to this chakra is 4-5 years. At this point in our young lives, our emotions develop considerably and we become more aware of the power we have over certain situations or people. The boundaries get pushed even further and we may learn to manipulate others to get what we want.

As we begin to understand the possibilities of this power we hold, it can be exciting and scary. In a safe, consistent and encouraging environment, a child can flourish and grow in confidence. On the flip-side, a dysfunctional environment can result in a child feeling shame, that they are naughty, no good, not worthy etc. This affects many aspects of development and can have a serious effect on the decisions we make and the actions we take as we grow. These factors have a bearing on the health of the chakra.

Other factors include being bullied or any other form of abuse. This energy centre represents how we feel about ourself, our confidence and our personal power. If our personal power is challenged or taken away, the chakra can become damaged or blocked.

Understanding the Solar Plexus Chakra

On a physical level, the third chakra is closely linked to the digestive system and the pancreas. If the energy is not flowing as it should, it can cause a number of health issues. These include I.B.S., diabetes, stomach pain / stomach ulcers, excessive gas, irregular bowel movements, high blood pressure and high levels of fat in the stomach area. Also, food allergies and eating disorders.

On a psychological level, someone with an unhealthy solar plexus chakra is likely to have unhealthy relationships which become obsessive / possessive. They may give their power away willingly, then feel they are being victimised, experiencing feelings of self-pity and powerlessness. This can affect confidence, self-esteem, energy levels and even memory.

Add to the mix a tendency to over-indulge – in sex, food, drugs, alcohol etc, and an addictive personality, and this can be a tough cycle to break depending on how damaged the chakra is. Whether or not professional assistance is required, the steps below will certainly help with the healing process.

How to Heal the Solar Plexus Chakra

Yellow foods are good for healing – these include fruits and vegetables such as bananas, pineapple, lemons, sweetcorn, yellow peppers. Also choose foods that are good for the digestion such as wholegrains, yoghurt, beetroot, broccoli, spinach and other leafy veg. Add lentils and legumes to your diet as well, and flavour your food with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cumin.

Wear yellow and surround yourself with this colour as much as possible. Crystals associated with solar plexus chakra healing include amber, topaz, citrine and yellow calcite. If you can, wear them as jewellery or place on the solar plexus chakra as you receive a reiki treatment.

You can meditate and visualise the yellow healing energy flowing and spinning freely in this area. Listen to a guided meditation for solar plexus healing which includes the associated mantra RAM – either chant along or listen to the mantra as it resonates with the third chakra on a vibrational level.

Indulge in essential oil therapy, or aromatherapy as it’s better known. There are a number of ways you can use essential oils (See Methods and Benefits of Aromatherapy), but treat them with respect and known the safety do’s and dont’s first. The essential oils that are most beneficial to this energy centre include black pepper, cinnamon, rosemary, clove and sandalwood.

Increase your vitamin D levels by spending time outside on a sunny day (don’t forget the sunblock!). If you can do so safely, light a bonfire at night or an open fire indoors if you have one – appreciate the element of fire and the golden-yellow flames.

Examples of affirmations to help balance the solar plexus chakra –

• I am confident in the choices I make
• I have a clear focus and life purpose
• I am powerful and positive
• I use my strength to do good deeds for those in need

As far as possible, stay away from negative people – easier said than done I know! If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated, find a safe release for these feelings – punch a pillow, scream and shout (go somewhere remote on your own so as not to upset the neighbours or passers-by), take part in high-energy sports, go for a long run and so on.

If you find you’ve allowed your personal power to be diminished, start taking that power back. Make decisions for yourself again, take responsibility for your own actions, be responsible for your life. But don’t be too hard on yourself; take it a step at a time, and remember that each moment is a new beginning.

After Solar Plexus Chakra Healing

People with a healthy solar plexus chakra have high levels of energy, vitality and self-esteem. They are driven, motivated and ambitious, having a clear idea of their identity and life purpose. By thinking and seeing clearly, they have the confidence to make the right decisions and follow them through.

When this chakra is balanced, we know we are powerful individuals. As well as using this power to achieve the things we want in life, we enjoy doing good deeds to help others. We look up to our role models with respect and admiration, seeking ways to emulate their behaviour in order to improve ourselves further.

As with the sacral chakra, a healthy solar plexus chakra allows us to discover (or rediscover) that it’s within us to create our own future and destiny. We can make life what we want it to be and this can be a very liberating feeling.

Conclusion

So that’s the end of the third part of this series. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the solar plexus chakra, and have a good understanding of its characteristics and how a healthy / unhealthy chakra can affect us. As always, seek professional advice if you have any health concerns or issues.

If you try some or all of these healing methods, let me known how you found them and what worked best for you. Is there anything you would like to add? If so, drop me a line. I would love to hear your feedback, and if you have any questions I’ll be happy to get back to you.

Check out the next article in this series – Anahata – The Heart Chakra.