Empowering the Solar Plexus

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The solar plexus chakra, also known as the third chakra, is located behind the navel. It’s Sanskrit name, Manipura, means “illustrious gem” and is symbolized by a yellow 10 petaled circle with an upside-down triangle in its center. The last of the physical chakras, the solar plexus is home to our feelings of personal empowerment, control, and abundance. The “gut feeling” we often refer to, when our intuition communicates through our bodies, stems from this chakra. 

Keeping this chakra in balance is key to feeling a sense of security, self-confidence, and self-assurance. The solar plexus is associated with the fire element and signifies our ability to take action and build momentum in our lives. The phrase “being fired up” is a nod to the sensation of heat in the solar plexus when we feel excitement and enthusiasm. 

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Imbalances in this area can manifest as lack of control and fear of being overpowered. Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overactivity/being busy are often signs of a shrunken solar plexus. Obsession with gaining power, controlling behaviors, and an overinflated ego is associated with an enlarged third chakra. 

Because our chakras operate as a holistic system of energy centers, balancing each one is essential to overall wellbeing. For a refresh on how to balance first and second chakras, check out the blogs on the root and sacral from earlier this year.

As always, there is no single way to maintain balance in our lives, we can utilize a variety of alternative therapies to reach a homeostatic state. 

Trust Your Gut

Based on its location with respect to the body, the stomach and digestive system are associated with this energy center. Issues with weight, gastrointestinal problems, and poor gut health are symptoms of an imbalanced solar plexus. Good nutrition is a tool for optimizing all chakras, especially the third. Foods that enhance the solar plexus are:

  • Citrus fruits (especially lemon)

  • Bananas

  • Pineapple

  • Mango

Choosing fresh, organic foods when possible and avoiding processed foods, refined sugar, alcohol, nicotine, and animal by-products can help clear a blocked solar plexus.

Get Fired Up 

Since the solar plexus is associated with the fire element, building heat in the body through movement increases clarity and balance in this area. Yoga poses, like Boat, Bow, and any Warrior pose, activate this energy center, while restorative poses like Child’s Pose and Corpse, or Savasana, help calm and soothe it. 

Exercises that work the core, like Pilates and Barre, create fire energy in the solar plexus and strengthen more than just our abs--they increase our sense of self and personal mastery. Other heat building workouts, like High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and kickboxing, help build a sense of empowerment and self-confidence with practice and growth over time. 

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Scents of Empowerment

Targeted aromatherapy is a super simple way to bring the solar plexus into balance at home and on the go. Try these essential oils in a diffuser or DIY spray for third chakra healing:

  • Bergamot

  • Rosemary

  • Lemongrass

  • Cedarwood

  • Chamomile 

If you want to clear your space and balance your energy, add the plant equivalents of the above essential oils to a sage bundle for smudging.

If you really want to create a vibe, there’s a bath bomb experience for that! Combine the Crystal Cult Manipura bath bomb with Kush Queen’s Citrus bath bomb in hot water for a heat-inducing, sense-awakening soak. Choose a mantra, like “I Can” to meditate on while playing gentle music targeted toward the solar plexus.

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Crystal Healing

After your Citrus Chakra bath, you’ll have a pink aventurine to add to your crystal collection. Other stones to help balance the third chakra include:

  • Citrine: Associated with fire element; activates self-confidence; increases mental clarity and courage; acceptance of abundance

  • Green Calcite: Fire & water elements; grounds and focuses energy; promotes healthy gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and intestine; helps adjust to change

  • Gold Tiger’s Eye: Fire element; creates a sense of safety and protection; helps with remembering dreams and mental clarity; release jealousy and build self-confidence; invites blessing and good fortune

When choosing crystals for healing, finding stones that speak to you is most important. Above all, crystals are tools to help strengthen your intuition and relationship to self.

Namaslay, Queen!

A healthy solar plexus is your best ally for slaying it at work and in life. I hope this blog helps you discover your power and build a practice that works in favor of your highest good. Namaste, Queens!

Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop and @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and stories.

Want to add some CBD to your Chakra healing work? Shop Kush Queen below!

Megan Farley