As a Level 2 Reiki practitioner and crystal healer, I’ve seen again and again how working with the Solar Plexus Chakra (also known by its Sanskrit name Manipura) can help people of all ages—from teens to adults—build real confidence and reclaim their sense of self-worth. In this chakra guide, I’ll walk you (and your family) through what the Manipura chakra is, how a blocked or overactive solar plexus chakra can affect self-esteem, and practical tips (including affirmations, meditation, crystals and yoga) to boost confidence and personal power.
What is the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) and why does it matter for confidence?
The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra in the body’s energy system, often referred to as the third chakra or “navel centre”.
In Sanskrit, “Manipura” means “lustrous gem” or “city of jewels” (mani = jewel, pura = city – 7 Chakras
It is located in the upper abdomen (just above the navel) and is associated with the colour yellow, the element of fire and our inner fire or willpower.
This energy centre governs our sense of personal power, our ability to make decisions, our self-esteem, and our energy for action.
When this chakra is open and balanced (an open and balanced solar plexus chakra), you feel empowered, confident, and connected to purpose and personal power. When it’s blocked or unbalanced, you may experience low self-esteem, self-doubt, feelings of insecurity, fear of rejection, or difficulty asserting yourself.
As a parent or practitioner supporting family members (teens or children), you can use this chakra work to help boost their confidence and self-worth, particularly in a world where self-esteem can be so fragile.
Common Signs of an Unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra
When the solar plexus chakra is out of balance, there are both emotional/psychological and physical clues to watch for (especially helpful when you’re working with your children or loved ones).
Emotional and psychological signs
- Low self-esteem and difficulty accepting praise or compliments.
- Lack of self-acceptance, self-doubt, fear of rejection or failure.
- Difficulty making decisions, procrastination, feeling powerless.
- Over-controller behaviour or aggression (if over-active) or passivity (if under-active).
- Feeling stuck, lacking direction or sense of purpose (i.e., the sense of personal power isn’t active).
Physical and bodily signs
- Digestive issues, poor metabolism (because the Manipura chakra is connected with the digestive system).
- Fatigue, lack of vitality (the inner fire is weak).
- Stomach or upper-abdominal discomfort (the solar plexus area is physically connected).
- Feeling energetically “flat” or lacking drive.
Recognising these signs is the first step in helping someone build confidence and personal power through chakra healing.
Why Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra Builds Confidence
When we balance the solar plexus chakra, we align with our inner power, clarity of self, and sense of purpose. This supports confidence and self-esteem, enabling action, authenticity and a strong sense of self-belief.
Because the solar plexus chakra is the centre of personal power, when you stimulate and nurture it, you empower your ability to say “I can”, “I am worthy”, and “I honour my inner voice”. That directly cultivates confidence and personal power.
Furthermore, utilising the solar plexus chakra in family healing (for teens and family members) means you’re helping to create a foundation for self-worth and confidence—not just for one person, but for the entire household.
Practical Tips to Stimulate and Heal the Manipura Chakra
Here are my favourite practices (as a Reiki practitioner and crystal healer) to boost confidence through the solar plexus chakra. These are suitable for you, your children (teens) and family members.
1. Meditation & visualisation
- Sit comfortably, place your hands on your upper abdomen (solar plexus area). Take a few deep breaths and visualise a bright yellow sun or flame at the centre. With each inhale, feel the flame grow; with each exhale, release any heaviness or self-doubt.
- Use the mantra “RAM” (pronounced “rahm”). This is the seed mantra for the solar plexus chakra.
- Affirm silently: “I stand in my power. I am worthy. I am confident.” Repeat this with each breath for 5–10 minutes.
Meditation is a powerful tool to build confidence and self-esteem through chakra healing.
2. Solar plexus chakra affirmations
Affirmations directly engage the energy of the Manipura chakra and help reprogramme limiting beliefs. Here are some you can use (you might like to put these on sticky notes for your children or family):
- “I honour my inner fire and personal power.”
- “I trust my decisions and take action with clarity.”
- “I am worthy of success, respect and love.”
- “My self-worth is not dependent on others’ approval.”
Using solar plexus chakra affirmations regularly helps reinforce a strong sense of self-worth and personal power.
3. Crystals and energy-healing support
As a crystal healer, I often use yellow or golden crystals to support the solar plexus chakra. Some suggestions:
- Citrine, yellow jasper, amber or golden calcite: these resonate with the yellow chakra and its fire element.
- Carry a small crystal in your pocket during stressful times or place one on the upper abdomen while meditating.
- During a Reiki healing session, you can direct energy to the Manipura chakra area, visualising the yellow flame expanding.
4. Yoga poses & breathwork
Yoga and breathwork help release stuck energy and open the solar plexus chakra:
- Poses: Boat pose (Navasana), Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II), Cobra pose (Bhujangasana) — all engage the upper abdomen, build core strength and stimulate the fire centre.
- Breathwork: Practice “lion’s breath” (inhale deeply through the nose, then open the mouth wide and exhale with sound “haaaah”), or the “dragon breath” (forceful exhale through the mouth) to activate the fire and release tension.
- These practices help to balance the solar plexus and turn up the inner flame of confidence.
5. Lifestyle and dietary support
Since the Manipura chakra is connected with digestion and metabolism:
- Eat yellow-coloured foods (e.g., yellow peppers, bananas, corn) to symbolically support the yellow chakra.
- Support digestive health: high-quality whole foods, good hydration, mindful eating.
- Encourage family members (teens especially) to move their bodies, get outside, build stamina and vitality — as physical strength often supports energetic confidence.
6. Routine & family practice
Since you’re a blogger and parent, you could create a family “confidence ritual”: pick one evening per week to gather and do a short solar plexus chakra meditation/affirmation together. This builds not only individual self-esteem but family unity and shared personal power.
FAQ – Your Questions Answered
Can the Manipura chakra help a teen with low self-esteem?
Yes. A blocked solar plexus chakra often manifests as low self-esteem, self-doubt or feelings of powerlessness. Using practices like affirmations, meditations, and supportive crystal work can help a teen reconnect with their sense of personal power and self-worth.
What does it mean when the solar plexus chakra is over-active (rather than blocked)?
An overactive solar plexus chakra might show up as aggression, controlling behaviour, arrogance, or dominating others, because the sense of personal power is present but not balanced. The aim is not just more power, but balanced power and authenticity.
How long will it take to see results in confidence and self-esteem?
As with all energy-healing work and personal development, regular practice matters. If you commit to daily short practices (5-10 minutes of meditation or affirmations) and weekly family rituals, you may begin to sense shifts in a few weeks. Sustained growth and deeper changes often happen over months.
Can I combine solar plexus chakra work with healing for other chakras (like the sacral or heart)?
Absolutely. The chakra system is holistic, and the solar plexus chakra doesn’t exist in isolation. For example, if the sacral chakra (below it) is blocked, that may affect how the Manipura functions. If the heart chakra (above it) is closed, personal power may be misused rather than used with love and empathy. A well-rounded chakra practice includes all.
Are there credible sources or evidence for this chakra work?
Yes — for example, scholars note that the Manipura chakra is associated with personal power, self-esteem and transformation. While energy healing is experiential and cannot be measured in exactly the same way as conventional medicine, my approach as a Reiki practitioner and crystal healer is grounded in lots of client-work, family practice and consistent results.
Bringing It Together – Build Confidence and Purpose with Your Solar Plexus Chakra
In summary:
- The Manipura (solar plexus chakra) is the centre of personal power and self-esteem.
- Balancing it supports confidence and personal power, while imbalances can show up as low self-worth, lack of direction, or over-assertiveness.
- You can work with this chakra via meditation, solar plexus chakra affirmations, crystals, yoga and lifestyle support.
- When you include your family in simple shared practices, you not only support individual growth but foster a family culture of confidence and self-worth.
My invitation to you: choose one solar plexus chakra practice this week (for instance, a 5-minute daily affirmation or a family evening ritual) and commit to it for a month. Observe how your inner flame begins to burn brighter. That “inner fire” of confidence and purpose is truly there—ready to be awakened.