Chakra 3 of 7 · Manipura
Solar plexus chakra
Your inner sunshine. Confidence, willpower and main character energy.
- Sanskrit
- Manipura
- Where
- Upper belly, between the navel and the bottom of the ribs
- Colour
- Yellow
- Element
- Fire
- Mantra
- RAM
Signs it’s a little off
- ✧ You say yes when you mean no
- ✧ You doubt every decision, even tiny ones
- ✧ You feel tired and low on drive
- ✧ Or the opposite: you need to control everything
What the solar plexus chakra is
The solar plexus chakra is chakra number three, in your upper belly, right where you feel butterflies. In Sanskrit it's Manipura, the "city of jewels", which is literally the most glamorous chakra name.
Its element is fire. It's about confidence, willpower, boundaries and getting things done. The traditional lotus has ten petals. In the modern colour system it's sunny yellow.
This is the chakra of main character energy. Not loud, not bossy, just clear about who you are and what you want.
Signs your solar plexus chakra is out of balance
When it's a little dim, people often notice:
- people-pleasing, and saying yes when you really mean no
- second-guessing decisions, even what to order for lunch
- low motivation, like your inner fire is on pilot light
- or the flip side: needing control, getting snappy, burning out
Balanced, it feels warm and steady. You make a decision and move on. You can say "no thank you" without writing a three-paragraph apology.
A confidence practice for the solar plexus
In kundalini yoga, the navel point is a big deal, so this one works from the belly.
- Sit tall, cross-legged or on a chair. Place one hand on your upper belly.
- Take a slow breath in and let your belly expand into your hand.
- Exhale and gently draw your navel in towards your spine.
- Keep that rhythm for a minute. Then chant RAM (like "rum") on each exhale, feeling it buzz under your hand.
- Finish by sitting with your shoulders back and your chin level. Hold the pose of someone who knows. Because you do.
Belly breath, then RAM
3 minutes, with a soft chime at the end.
Practice
Say no to one thing
Turn down one thing you'd usually say yes to out of guilt. Kindly, briefly, no three-paragraph apology. 'Thanks so much, but I can't this time' is a full sentence.
Practice
Three minutes of sat kriya
Sit on your heels (or a chair), arms straight overhead, fingers laced with the index fingers pointing up. Chant SAT as you pull your navel in, NAM as you release, about once a second. Three minutes, then rest lying down for three.
Solar plexus affirmations
- I trust my own choices.
- I can say no kindly and mean it.
- I have the energy to do what matters to me.
Other little ways to warm up your solar plexus
- Finish one small task you've been avoiding. Instant fire.
- Sit in the sun for ten minutes, sunscreen on, obviously ☀️
- Make one decision today without asking anyone else's opinion.
- Wear yellow. It's giving sunshine.
FAQ
What colour is the solar plexus chakra?
Yellow, in the modern colour system. Older texts describe Manipura with a red triangle, the symbol for fire.
What is the solar plexus chakra mantra?
RAM, its bija (seed) mantra. Chant it on the exhale with your hand on your upper belly.
Where is the solar plexus chakra?
In the upper abdomen, between the navel and the bottom of the breastbone.
What happens when the solar plexus chakra is blocked?
People describe low confidence, people-pleasing, indecision and low energy, or sometimes the opposite, needing to control everything.