Your Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus charka, or third chakra, is also called Manipura, or dashapatra. This point can be found beneath the sternum at the center of the torso. The traditional Vedic symbol for Manipura can be seen to the right.

Associated Color: Yellow

Associated Element: Fire

Associated Spinal Region: 7th and 8th thoracic vertebrae

The solar plexus chakra is believed by modern students to be a center of great potential power. It relates to digestion, personal power, and growth or expansion in the emotional and spiritual realms.

An imbalance in this chakra can manifest as a "stressed out" feeling, fatigue, or even anger.

A great way to bring this chakra into balance is with physical activity such as Tai Chi or Yoga. Clearly these two methods are great for your entire subtle energy system but any form of good exercise can go a long way toward stimulating the solar plexus chakra.

Linear Movements - Traditional calisthenics and roadwork such as walking or jogging can be effective for stimulating this chakra. Assertive, linear (straight line) motion seems to have a focusing effect on the energies channeled through this point.

Visualization Any time you are feeling over-stressed or controlled by others, you can take a couple of minutes to visualize this chakra as a glowing sun in the center of your body. Take short, crisp breaths and allow your focus to rest at this chakra whil visualizing yourself "breaking through" whatever barriers are currently working against you.

Color Breathing Exercise For This Chakra

One of the most basic - yet powerful - techniques for opening, balancing, healing, or empowering a chakra is the practice of color breathing. Each chakra relates to its own specific color, making it very easy to apply this breath/visualization exercise in an effective manner.

Before beginning, it is recommended that you use basic meditation to relax your body and focus your mind. Once you have achieved a state of calm, centered being, proceed with the exercise below:

Remember to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.

1. Center your awareness on the solar plexus chakra, a couple of inches below the bottom of your sternum in the middle of your body.
2. Imagine this point as a bright yellow point of warm, glowing light.
3. Pulling and pushing air directly from this center, inhale four times - sharp and fast - then exhale four times - again sharp and fast.
4. These are rapid, short breaths. Four inhalations followed immediately by four exhalations make one repetition, and there is no space between repetitions.
5. Do between 3 and 10 repetitions, being careful not to get dizzy or light-headed.
6. As you breathe, imagine your solar plexus glowing more and more vibrantly and pulsing yellow energy through your entire body.
7. Stretch your spine and keep your weight centered.

You can find more information about chakra and energy treatments on our recommended studies page.