Open solar plexus chakra confidence

Open Your Solar Plexus Chakra For More Confidence

Your body holds seven energy centers within it. These have their own properties and significance, from the root chakra at the base of your spine, to the crown chakra at the top of your head. They also act as gateways of energy -- when one of them becomes blocked or unbalanced, it can keep your natural energetic flow from moving where it should. This can result in several physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms.

Your solar plexus chakra, Manipura, is the seat of your confidence and willpower. It is the ultimate energy center for manifesting the life you want. It sits a few inches above the navel, its element is fire, and its symbol is a yellow, ten-petaled lotus.

How can I tell if my solar plexus chakra is closed?

When this energy center suffers from a blockage, it most commonly manifests as shame, or a lack of confidence and willpower. You might even feel fatigued, or have digestive trouble. When this chakra is unbalanced, it can lead to excess energies in that area. This often shows up as arrogance and pushiness -- a "my way or the highway" attitude.

Sometimes, it is hard to tell if you are suffering from a blockage in a chakra, or different issue entirely. If you do not have an experienced energy healer to tell you where energy blockages exist in your body, you may not have enough perspective to self-diagnose a blocked chakra based on your symptoms alone. Fortunately, there are other ways:

  • Use a pendulum. While laying down, hold a pendulum (or have a friend do so) over your solar plexus area. See how it swings. Is it fast, slow, or completely still? Is it erratic? A clear, open chakra should produce a pendulum swing that is smooth and of medium speed.
  • Meditate. Close your eyes, and picture your chakras. Without intentionally influencing their movement or appearance, what do they look like? Are their colors dull, or vibrant? Are they spinning? How fast? This can tell you which chakras need attention.

Healing, balancing, and unblocking the solar plexus chakra

If you determine that Manipura is suffering from a blockage or imbalance, there are ways to take matters into your own hands. You can use one or many of these healing methods to help restore this chakra's function, bringing you back to full, vibrant health:

Crystals

Wearing, carrying, or surrounding yourself with crystals of an appropriate color and vibration can be a huge help. For best results, wear them near the solar plexus area. The best crystals for this are citrine, tiger eye, pyrite, and yellow calcite.

Colors

This chakra is stimulated by the color yellow. Wear yellow clothing, surround yourself with yellow flowers and décor, keep a basket or bowl of lemons in your kitchen, and light yellow candles.

Aromatherapy

Manipura is stimulated by certain scents, including saffron, sandalwood, and musk. Oils associated with personal power can also help, especially if you are suffering from a blockage rather than an excess. Diffuse these scents in your home, burn them as incense, or anoint your solar plexus area with appropriate perfume or cologne.

If you have pets or small children, use diffusers with caution. Some fragrances are unsafe for tiny bodies.

Affirmations

Affirmations are declarative statements you make to the universe. They can be particularly helpful for a blocked solar plexus chakra, since they force you to assert yourself and exert your will on reality. Some affirmations for the solar plexus chakra include:

I am confident.
I am authentic.
I stand up for myself, my loved ones, and the things I believe in.
I am powerful.
I choose healthy relationships.
I am free to make the choices I need to thrive.
I am confident.

Dress a yellow candle with a few drops of sandalwood oil, or light some sandalwood incense. Sit or lay comfortably, place your dominant hand over your solar plexus area, and repeat these affirmations each day.

Exercise

Few things can make you feel more confident and powerful than growing stronger. Exercises that stimulate the solar plexus chakra, like abdominal workouts and belly-strengthening yoga poses, can help open and heal it.

Take a Spiritual Bath

Bathing has been a ritualistic practice for ages, for good reason. Fill a tub or basin with fresh, clean water, and add sea salt and a few drops of sandalwood oil to it. Step in and either fully immerse yourself, or (if you do not have a bath tub) pour water from the basin over your entire body. Picture the vibrant cleansing energy of the water and sea salt clearing your chakra, as the sandalwood heals and balances it.

A Good Diet

As the chakra associated with personal power, Manipura thrives on good, healthy food. Eat lots of yellow fruits and vegetables -- bell peppers, lemons, mango, saffron rice, turmeric, and so forth. This chakra loves cinnamon and ginger, so treat yourself to regular cups of spice tea. High-fiber foods that benefit the digestive tract can also help.

A healthy solar plexus chakra makes it easy to move through life with power and confidence. If your chakra is blocked or unhealthy, you can correct it with any combination of these methods.