Chakra Six: Tuning In to Your Practice

Chakra Six:  Tuning In

Chakra Six, Ajna, or “Third Eye,” can even further hone the mind-body connection of our practices.  The purpose and use of Chakra Six is to help us enhance our ability to “see” internally, and also help us to visualize the chakras during poses. 

Ajna, which means to perceive, is located on our forehead, between our eyebrows.  It is believed that this chakra improves our intuition, and on a more practical level, strengthens our ability to transition into a deeper meditative state.  The colors associated with Ajna are indigo blue and white, and the seed sound is “om.”

The most soothing and effective pose (I think) that can be used to open up this chakra is the Bridge Pose.  Appropriately named, too, as it helps us build a bridge between the mind and the body.  Simple neck stretches can also be effective and quite relaxing.

Here’s how the Bridge Pose works:

-Lie on the floor, and place a thickly folded blanket or towel under your shoulders to protect your neck. Bend your knees and set your feet on the floor, heels as close to your buttocks as possible

-Exhale as you press the insides of your feet and arms into the floor. Push your tailbone upward toward the pubis, firming the buttocks, and lift the buttocks off the floor. Keep your thighs and inner feet parallel. Clasp the hands below your pelvis and extend your arms to help you stay balanced on the tops of your shoulders

-Lift your buttocks until your thighs are about parallel to the floor.  Hold your knees directly over the heels, but push them forward, away from the hips, and arch and lengthen the tailbone toward the backs of the knees. Lift the pubis toward the navel

-Lift your chin slightly away from your sternum and, pressing the shoulder blades against your back, press the top of the sternum toward the chin. Flexs your outer arms, broaden your shoulder blades, and try to lift the space between them at the base of the neck (where it’s resting on the towel) up into the torso

-Stay in the pose anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Release slowly as you exhale, rolling the spine slowly back down onto the floor

So take a moment to look inside and open up your chakras.  It will help you improve your meditation practice as well, and open greater channels for you to project the energy created in your mind, and get more closely in touch with your own intuitive powers.  And that’s never a bad thing:-)

Until nex time, Peace.