Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionPhysical SymptomsManaging and Treating PainSolar Plexus and Emotional HealthYoga Poses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Physical Symptoms
Managing and Treating Pain
Solar Plexus and Emotional Health
Yoga Poses
Your solarplexusis a cluster of intertwining nerves that cross paths in a central location just below thesternum(breastbone) and above thediaphragmin theupper abdominal(stomach) area.
“Solar plexus” and “celiac plexus” refer to the same thing and can be used interchangeably. In theAyurvedahealing system and yoga practices, the solar plexus chakra is calledManipura,or the third chakra. The Manipura chakra is associated with fire, personal power, and the sun’s yellow energy.
This article explains what you need to know about solar plexus anatomy, how it performs different bodily functions, what causes solar plexus pain, and how to “unblock” your solar plexus using yoga poses or breathing techniques that promote emotional health.
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Solar Plexus Anatomy
The solar plexus is located in the center of the torso along the body’s midline at the T12/L2 vertebral level of thethoracic spine.It sits in the upper abdomen near thepancreasand wraps around the roots of theabdominal aorta.
The solar plexus is part of theautonomic nervous system, meaning it is involved in automatic bodily functions like breathing and regulating blood pressure. The solar plexus is a nerve center hub that sends signals between the gut and brain.
Nerves from the solar plexus are connected with abdominal organs and glands, such as the:
Solar Plexus Function and Spiritual Interpretation
The solar plexus’s ability to communicate between the gut and brain is key to survival. Nerve signals from the solar plexus controlperistalsis(wave-like contractions that push digestive material through the intestines), which affects how the gastrointestinal (GI) tract digests food. Many digestion-related issues likeirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) andacid refluxhave links to the solar plexus.
When the body’s stress response kicks into fight-or-flight mode, sympathetic branches of the solar plexus inhibit peristalsis and redirect blood flow to skeletal muscles, which disrupts digestion in preparation for running or confronting something threatening. Conversely, the solar plexus’s parasympathetic nerves activate when the body feels safe and calm. These “rest and digest” nerve fibers promote peristalsis and healthy digestion.
Solar Plexus Chakra in the Ayurveda Belief System
In Ayurvedic medicine, the solar plexus chakra is the third chakra in the body’s seven-chakra system. It’s located below the fourth (heart) chakra. In Sanskrit, the third chakra is calledManipura, which means “city of jewels” or “lustrous gem” because it’s associated with the element of fire and the sun’s sparkly yellow hue.
What Is Ayurveda?Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural medicine that started in India many millennia ago. In Sanskrit,ayurmeans “life,” andvedameans “knowledge.” Hence, the direct translation of Ayurveda is “life knowledge” or “science of life.”
What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural medicine that started in India many millennia ago. In Sanskrit,ayurmeans “life,” andvedameans “knowledge.” Hence, the direct translation of Ayurveda is “life knowledge” or “science of life.”
Prana is a broad term used to describe life-force energy and vital strength that circulates throughout the body. Optimizing prana is key to Ayurveda. All of the chakras are conduits for prana energy. The third chakra is the center of another vital energy calledSamana vaya, which facilitates digestion and metabolism.
Solar Plexus Physical Pain Symptoms
In Ayurvedic medicine and yogic practices, “unblocking the solar plexus” or third chakra is a good thing. In this context, removing a solar plexus “block” opens up the body’s central energy channel calledSushumna nadi, which allows life-force energy to flow freely through all seven chakras from the spine’s base to the head’s crown.
According to the Ayurveda belief system, physical pain symptoms of a solar plexus chakra “blockage” can include:
Accurately using the words “block” or “unblock” in reference to the solar plexus and pain symptoms varies depending on the context. In Western medicine, a “celiac plexus block” is a medical procedure that deadens nerves in the solar plexus that send pain signals up to the brain from the stomach area and is used to manage chronic upper abdominal pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Sometimes, “Blocking” the Solar Plexus Is GoodA celiac plexus block (CPB) can provide pain relief and offset the use of opioids for pain management in people withpancreatic cancer,pancreatitis,gastrointestinal cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, andCrohn’s disease.
Sometimes, “Blocking” the Solar Plexus Is Good
A celiac plexus block (CPB) can provide pain relief and offset the use of opioids for pain management in people withpancreatic cancer,pancreatitis,gastrointestinal cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, andCrohn’s disease.
Managing and Treating Solar Plexus Pain
More serious medical conditions that cause solar plexus pain, such as pancreatic cancer, are often treated with a celiac plexus block andneurolysis, which help manage and treat upper abdominal pain associated with the solar plexus.
According to Ayurveda belief systems, there’s a connection between the solar plexus and emotional health. Anxiety and stress—as well as low self-esteem and feeling powerless—can create solar plexus chakra imbalances that perpetuate these emotions if the third chakra stays blocked.
Breathing exercises are a simple way to balance and heal the solar plexus chakra while also hacking the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system in this plexus.
When solar plexus nerves are overactive, and you feel stressed out, take slower breaths with a deep inhale and a longer exhale. Diaphragmatic “belly breathing” activates parasympathetic nerves and calms the nervous system, which triggers the relaxation response and promotes emotional health.
Yoga Poses for a Blocked Solar Plexus
Reverse Plank Pose (Purvottanasana)
Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana 2)
Stand with feet wide apart and bend one leg until the bent leg’s knee is above its ankle. Twist your torso and extend both arms outwards while looking forward, keeping the other leg straight. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths. Repeat on the other side.
Boat Pose (Navasana)
Lay flat facing upwards, then lift your legs and chest simultaneously to form a “V” shape. Extend both arms forward, keeping them parallel to the ground. Feel the muscles in your core and abdominal area contract. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Dolphin Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
From a plank position with knees/shins and elbows/forearms touching the matt, bring the hips up towards the ceiling while straightening the legs to form an “A” shape. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Sun Mudra (Surya Mudra)
Sit cross-legged with your torso erect, elbows on your knees, and palms facing upwards. Fold your ring finger towards your palms and hold it in place with your thumbs while breathing deeply. This mudra pose awakens kundalini energy and the solar plexus’s “inner fire.”
Summary
The solar plexus is a bundle of nerve fibers in the upper stomach area that shoot out from a central hub like sun rays. These nerves send signals back and forth between the brain and the gut. The solar plexus is called the third chakra in spiritual and yoga practices. When this chakra is blocked, it makes people feel less confident and lose their self-esteem. Yoga poses that activate the solar plexus can unblock this chakra and boost feelings of personal power. Quick, shallow “fire breathing” also unblocks this chakra and awakens vital life-force energy.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yoga Journal.Everything you need to know about the solar plexus (navel) chakra.Pereira GAM, Lopes PTC, Santos AMPV dos, et al.Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography.Radiol Bras. 2014;47(5):283-287. doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2013.1881John RS, Dixon B, Hendrix JM, Shienbaum R.Celiac plexus block. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing;2024.Nutritionist Resource.How to balance your chakra for digestion.Hansen AB, Moralez G, Romero SA, et al.Mechanisms of sympathetic restraint in human skeletal muscle during exercise: role of α-adrenergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2020;319(1):H192-H202. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2020Magnon V, Dutheil F, Vallet GT.Benefits from one session of deep and slow breathing on vagal tone and anxiety in young and older adults.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19267. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-98736-9Russo MA, Santarelli DM, O’Rourke D.The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human.Breathe. 2017;13(4):298-309. doi:10.1183/20734735.009817Arhanta Yoa.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of manipura chakra.Surya World.Prana from ayurvedic point of view.Sahaja Yoga Science.The central channel-sushumna nadi.Arhanta Yoga.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of the manipura chakra.Urits I, Jones MR, Orhurhu V, et al.A comprehensive review of the celiac plexus block for the management of chronic abdominal pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):42. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00878-4Sachdev AH, Gress FG.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis.Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. 2018;28(4):579-586. doi:10.1016/j.giec.2018.06.004Cornman-Homonoff J, Holzwanger D, Lee K, Madoff D, Li D.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis in the management of chronic upper abdominal pain.Semin intervent Radiol. 2017;34(04):376-386. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1608861Goodnet.5 yoga poses to open the solar plexus chakra.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yoga Journal.Everything you need to know about the solar plexus (navel) chakra.Pereira GAM, Lopes PTC, Santos AMPV dos, et al.Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography.Radiol Bras. 2014;47(5):283-287. doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2013.1881John RS, Dixon B, Hendrix JM, Shienbaum R.Celiac plexus block. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing;2024.Nutritionist Resource.How to balance your chakra for digestion.Hansen AB, Moralez G, Romero SA, et al.Mechanisms of sympathetic restraint in human skeletal muscle during exercise: role of α-adrenergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2020;319(1):H192-H202. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2020Magnon V, Dutheil F, Vallet GT.Benefits from one session of deep and slow breathing on vagal tone and anxiety in young and older adults.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19267. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-98736-9Russo MA, Santarelli DM, O’Rourke D.The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human.Breathe. 2017;13(4):298-309. doi:10.1183/20734735.009817Arhanta Yoa.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of manipura chakra.Surya World.Prana from ayurvedic point of view.Sahaja Yoga Science.The central channel-sushumna nadi.Arhanta Yoga.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of the manipura chakra.Urits I, Jones MR, Orhurhu V, et al.A comprehensive review of the celiac plexus block for the management of chronic abdominal pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):42. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00878-4Sachdev AH, Gress FG.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis.Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. 2018;28(4):579-586. doi:10.1016/j.giec.2018.06.004Cornman-Homonoff J, Holzwanger D, Lee K, Madoff D, Li D.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis in the management of chronic upper abdominal pain.Semin intervent Radiol. 2017;34(04):376-386. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1608861Goodnet.5 yoga poses to open the solar plexus chakra.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yoga Journal.Everything you need to know about the solar plexus (navel) chakra.Pereira GAM, Lopes PTC, Santos AMPV dos, et al.Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography.Radiol Bras. 2014;47(5):283-287. doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2013.1881John RS, Dixon B, Hendrix JM, Shienbaum R.Celiac plexus block. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing;2024.Nutritionist Resource.How to balance your chakra for digestion.Hansen AB, Moralez G, Romero SA, et al.Mechanisms of sympathetic restraint in human skeletal muscle during exercise: role of α-adrenergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2020;319(1):H192-H202. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2020Magnon V, Dutheil F, Vallet GT.Benefits from one session of deep and slow breathing on vagal tone and anxiety in young and older adults.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19267. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-98736-9Russo MA, Santarelli DM, O’Rourke D.The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human.Breathe. 2017;13(4):298-309. doi:10.1183/20734735.009817Arhanta Yoa.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of manipura chakra.Surya World.Prana from ayurvedic point of view.Sahaja Yoga Science.The central channel-sushumna nadi.Arhanta Yoga.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of the manipura chakra.Urits I, Jones MR, Orhurhu V, et al.A comprehensive review of the celiac plexus block for the management of chronic abdominal pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):42. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00878-4Sachdev AH, Gress FG.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis.Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. 2018;28(4):579-586. doi:10.1016/j.giec.2018.06.004Cornman-Homonoff J, Holzwanger D, Lee K, Madoff D, Li D.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis in the management of chronic upper abdominal pain.Semin intervent Radiol. 2017;34(04):376-386. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1608861Goodnet.5 yoga poses to open the solar plexus chakra.
Yoga Journal.Everything you need to know about the solar plexus (navel) chakra.
Pereira GAM, Lopes PTC, Santos AMPV dos, et al.Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography.Radiol Bras. 2014;47(5):283-287. doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2013.1881
John RS, Dixon B, Hendrix JM, Shienbaum R.Celiac plexus block. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing;2024.
Nutritionist Resource.How to balance your chakra for digestion.
Hansen AB, Moralez G, Romero SA, et al.Mechanisms of sympathetic restraint in human skeletal muscle during exercise: role of α-adrenergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms.American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2020;319(1):H192-H202. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2020
Magnon V, Dutheil F, Vallet GT.Benefits from one session of deep and slow breathing on vagal tone and anxiety in young and older adults.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):19267. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-98736-9
Russo MA, Santarelli DM, O’Rourke D.The physiological effects of slow breathing in the healthy human.Breathe. 2017;13(4):298-309. doi:10.1183/20734735.009817
Arhanta Yoa.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of manipura chakra.
Surya World.Prana from ayurvedic point of view.
Sahaja Yoga Science.The central channel-sushumna nadi.
Arhanta Yoga.Solar plexus chakra: Healing powers of the manipura chakra.
Urits I, Jones MR, Orhurhu V, et al.A comprehensive review of the celiac plexus block for the management of chronic abdominal pain.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):42. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00878-4
Sachdev AH, Gress FG.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis.Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. 2018;28(4):579-586. doi:10.1016/j.giec.2018.06.004
Cornman-Homonoff J, Holzwanger D, Lee K, Madoff D, Li D.Celiac plexus block and neurolysis in the management of chronic upper abdominal pain.Semin intervent Radiol. 2017;34(04):376-386. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1608861
Goodnet.5 yoga poses to open the solar plexus chakra.
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