Yoga Medicine for the Third Eye Chakra

Take a moment to gaze through your mind’s eye and note what you see. Without judgment, ask yourself, are you living your daily life in alignment with this vision?

To clearly intuit and practice following this intuition, we must turn to this practice of looking inward again and again. To develop a clear channel for manifesting your inner wisdom, promote spinal alignment and balance your third eye.

The third eye, or Ajna in Sanskrit, is the 6th chakra located in the center of your forehead between your eyebrows. Spiritually, your Ajna is believed to be associated with the soul’s connection to the Divine and the ability to be attuned to the intangible. Foresight and spiritual visions are connected to your Ajna.

Or, we can understand the manifestations of a balanced third eye as emotional intelligence - the ability to discern truth, practice honest self-reflection, see beyond the surface, and tap into intuition. Moments of inspiration and creative brilliance is the overflow of an open third eye.

The practice of balancing your third eye chakra can overlap with finding  Drishti - the yogic gaze of concentration. This gaze can either refer to physically honing attention during your asana practice or for focusing your consciousness for intentional living. To clearly see with our mind’s eye, to have a clear perception of reality, and to align our actions with our inner wisdom takes a steadfast drishti.

Asanas for Third Eye Chakra Balance

To balance my Ajna, I draw upon postures that foster a healthy aligned spine, incorporating poses that rely on activating my core and balancing poses where I can practice drishti. Many use Kundalini Yoga for awakening the third eye.

Incorporate the following asanas into your Third Eye Chakra practice,   leading with an open heart space, envisioning a deep indigo light where your third eye chakra is. Use a drishti concentrated gaze to practice balance.

• Flow in Sun Salutation B, igniting your inner fire in core strengthening poses for a healthy spine.
• Warrior 3 or Halfmoon Pose
• Wide-Legged Fold or Dolphin Pose
• Eagle or Tree Pose
• Child’s Pose or Extended Puppy Pose. Rock your forehead on the ground for physical stimulation of your third eye.

Breathing and Meditation for Third Eye Balance

• For meditative reflection, you may choose to sit cross-legged or relax into Savasana. If you have a hard time pinpointing your third eye, close your eyes and send your gaze to the center of your forehead.
• For breathing exercises, I like alternate nostril breathing or Lion’s Breath.
• Try integrating mantras with breathwork with the Sa Ta Na Ma Four-Part breathing.
• Helpful affirmations: I see... I trust my truth… I honor my inner wisdom… I act upon my intuition…

Journaling Reflection to Practice Leaning into Your Intuition

I find that journaling is especially powerful for manifesting your third eye's wisdom.

Journaling Prompt: What deep rooted beliefs do you have of yourself and your reality? What old habits or beliefs can you let go of? Take a note of your old belief and reframe. What is the opposite positive action of that old habit or belief? Commit to taking a positive action step.

Namaste.

By Hannah Parks; All Rights Reserved @2020

By Hannah Parks; All Rights Reserved @2020