Chakra Anatomy Series - Solar Plexus

3rd Chakra - Solar Plexus

Western Anatomy:

By definition, the solar plexus is: a complex of ganglia and radiating nerves of the sympathetic system at the pit of the stomach. It is located in the abdomen, where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta. It is in back of the stomach and in front of the diaphragm, level with the first lumbar vertebra, L1.

One might go through life without paying any notice to their solar plexus, that is until receiving an unexpected blow to the stomach. This is the sensation commonly known as "getting the wind knocked out of you." In most cases, it isn't the solar plexus itself that is impacted, but the effects on the surrounding area which causes this to happen.

Medically speaking, a hard blow to the stomach area causes the diaphragm to spasm, which makes it difficult to breathe and results in the "wind knocked out of you" sensation. With that said, an accurate and powerful blow to this area could also affect the solar plexus directly, disrupting the function of the viscera and causing debilitating pain.

Eastern Energetics:

This Chakra is situated just below the sternum where your ribs attach in front. It is associated with the digestive and metabolic processes of the human body and corresponds with the feelings of fear, anxiety, introversion, personal power, opinion formation, and spiritual growth. In martial arts, this is known as the Dantain, the "sea of qi", "elixir field" or "energy point".

The Solar Plexus represents the core of our personality, the perception of who we are (the "ego") and the center of willpower. The gift of this chakra is sensing your personal power, being confident, responsible and reliable. The third chakra is the center of your self-esteem, self-discipline and the ability to transform inertia into action and movement. It allows you to meet challenges and move forward in your life. The main challenge for the third chakra is to use your personal power in a healthy and balanced way. 

East meets West: 

It's fascinating that "having the wind knocked out of you" is as debilitating energetically as it is emotionally, a lot like the idiom "having the wind knocked out of my sails". The reference to the word "wind" is not isolated to the breath alone, but also to Prana or Qi, which are ancient understandings of Life Force. To deflate someone energetically, to tear down their confidence and self-esteem, is to defeat them physically.