Cultivate Clarity and Hear Your Soul's Whispers with These 5 Yoga Asanas
"Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is an adequate perception of the world." – Hans Margolius
The Third Eye Chakra – Ajna in sanskrit – can be translated as “authority”, “command”, or “perceive.” Given this name as the Third Eye Chakra is the center of intuition, intellect, and consciousness.
Take a few moments to tap into this intuitive center.
Ajna Awareness
Begin seated or lying down and allow your eyes to gently close.
Take a moment to allow all of the muscles within your body to release and relax.
Then bring your attention to the space between your eyebrows.
First noticing if your eyebrows are scrunched or tense… and relaxing this space.
Then maybe noticing the softness that is here as you feel those muscles relax and the wrinkles smooth out.
Bringing your attention a little deeper inwards, and visualize an orb of indigo light.
Watch as this indigo light swirls.
Notice the hue and vibracy of the indigo color.
As you do, watch as this light begins to project outward, like a movie projector, extending out of this space between your eyebrows.
As if this light was a projector, and with your eyes still closed, what is this projecting light illuminating for you?
Sit with that question for a few breaths.
Without trying to force an image or an idea or a phrase that seems “right.”
Maybe instead, there is a sensation that arises, or an emotion.
Allow yourself some stillness to simply allow whatever it is to come up.
And release the notion that it needs to be defined.
Bring your awareness back to your environment whenever you’re ready.
Ajna: Clarity, Connection, and Consciousness
The Third Eye Chakra is most commonly known as the center of intuition and clear sight – said to guide you on your unique journey in this life, allowing you to connect with the spiritual world and bring that guidance down into the physical world.
Sometimes referred to as, “the seat of the soul,” or, “the gateway to higher consciousness.
The Third Eye Chakra reminds you to balance action with introspection, asking you to take time inward for clarity before deciding the best coure of action for your destined path.
Whether we recognize it or not on a conscious level, our Third Eye is continuously guiding us throughout each day of our lives – multiple times a day. But rather than being unconscious to this guidance, you can easily tap in and increase your awareness of where you’re being guided… and why.
If this piques your interest, keep reading to discover how you can become more intentional and self-aware of this innate internal guidance system.
Balance vs. Imbalance in the Third Eye
Since the Third Eye Chakra is located in the space between your eyebrows and in the center of the brain, you’ll notice symptoms of balance and imbalance will more strongly show up mentally and emotionally, in addition to the physical symptoms.
Check out the list of potential symptoms below. Can you now, or have you in your life noticed these symptoms arise? Take a moment to reflect back on what was happening for you during that time of life. Is the connection with your Third Eye apparent?
Physical Symptoms
When balanced, physical symptoms that reflect this balance in the third eye can be seen in hormone levels and production. Because the Third Eye is connected with the pituitary gland, a balanced Third Eye means the hormones within this gland are produced and released effectively.
When imbalanced, physical symptoms look like:
Headaches
Vision Problems
Ear-Related Issues
Sinus Issues
Sleep Disturbances
Increased blood pressure
Emotional Symptoms
When the Third Eye is blocked, you may experience:
Increased anxiety
Increased depression
Difficulty with focus
Disconnection with your intuition, or you intuition appearing silent
Difficulty expressing creativity or imagination
Skepticism
Narrow-mindedness
Opening the Window to the Soul
As with everything within our amazingly complex bodies, healing is always possible. If you become aware of imbalances within the Third Eye, or, you’d simply like to strengthen this energy center, there are so many creative ways to do so!
Explore the various ways below to tap into your Third Eye and activate healing and balance. And, even more importantly, pay attention to the inner guidance you receive on your own! With an intention to heal the Third Eye, it will surely be talking to you, helping you to navigate this journey … I mean, it’s quite literally it’s job to do so.
Affirmations for the Third Eye Chakra
As you go through the affirmations, it’s encouraged to repeat these affirmations while seated with your eyes closed. As you repeat them, keep your attention on the space between your eyebrows and simple notice if any visuals or sensations arise as you do.
I trust my intuition and follow my inner guidance.
I am open to receiving spiritual insights and wisdom.
I am connected to the universal consciousness and divine intelligence.
My mind is clear, focused, and sharp.
I trust my ability to make decisions with confidence and clarity.
I am open to new ideas and perspectives.
I trust in my inner vision and follow my path with purpose and meaning.
My intuition is a powerful tool that helps me throughout my life.
I am aligned with my higher self.
Breathwork for Third Eye Activation
In activating the Third Eye through the breath, you’ll want to keep your attention on the space between your eyebrows. Since this chakra is heavily focused on going inward, finding stillness, and listening to that subtle and quiet inner voice, even focusing on simple deep breathing will help to activate this chakra.
If you’d like to deepen this practice a little more, try a mantra meditation using the seed sound of the Third Eye: Om.
You’ll begin by finding a comfortable position, whether seated or lying down. First bring your awareness to this chakra as you settle and deepen into your natural breath – each inhale becoming a little fuller, each exhale a little longer.
Once you feel your breath has deepened at a steady rate, begin the mantra…
Take a deep inhale, and as you exhale, draw out the sound “OM,” only stopping or cutting off the sound when you run out of breath on the exhale. Then repeat as many times as you’d like – though we recommend at least 8-10 continuous rounds.
5 Yoga Asanas for Third Eye Activation
Yoga asanas for the Third Eye can focus directly on the space between your eyebrows, or they can include any pose that encourages you to go inward… which may look differently for everyone.
Again, flex that intuitive muscles and always follow your own inner guidance.
And, here’s a few we love to activate this chakra:
Child’s Pose
Beginning in tabletop, create lots of space between your knees, moving them toward the outer edges of your mat. As you exhale, sink your hips back toward your heels, keeping your arms extending overhead, reaching for the top of your mat. Allow your forehead to rest on the mat, block, pillow, or bolster. Focus on deep, elongated breaths and hold here as long as you’d like.
Dolphin Pose
Dolphin pose can begin in downward facing dog, or plank pose.
From downward facing dog, one by one bring each forearm down to the mat. Then, continue to reach your hips up and back as your gaze turns behind you.
Wide-Legged Forward Fold
Begin standing with your feet greater than shoulder-distance apart. Bring your hands to your hips and as you inhale, lengthen through the spine. As you exhale, hinge forward from your hips, working to keep your back flat. Bring your hands down to the mat or blocks and allow your head to drop down toward the mat as you gaze behind you. Notice if you can create more distance between your feet and try to challenge yourself to deepen a little more into the fold.
Headstand
Begin in tabletop with your forearms on the mat, shoulder-width apart. Clasp your hands and bring the crown of your head to rest on the mat, with the back of your head cupped in your hands. From here, lift the knees and straighten your legs. Engage your core and keep it engaged as you continue. Begin to walk your feet as close to your face as you can, making sure to lift out of the shoulders rather than allowing to crunch into them.
This may be enough of a challenge for you. If so, stay here. To challenge yourself a litter further, play with bringing one knee toward your chest, that same foot lifting off the mat. Alternate sides to feel into the balance.
Or, reach both legs up into the air, engaging your core as you come into a headstand.
Note: You can also use a wall to lift up and rest your feet and legs on, while also receiving support from the wall.
Humble Warrior
Begin standing with your right foot forward and your left foot behind you with your toes slightly angled toward the edge of your mat. Bring your hands behind your back, either clasped, in prayer pose, or simply holding each forearm. As you inhale, lengthen your spine. As you exhale, fold forward, keeping your back flat. Only lower your chest as low as you can while maintaining a flat back. From here, clasp your hands behind you and extend them up overhead as your forehead comes down toward your front leg. Switch sides whenever you’re ready.
Connect with Clarity
Your Third Eye is a beautiful internal guidance system. With the constant chaos and bombardment of stimulation in our everyday life, it can become challenging to hear that gentle inner voice. Taking the time to find stillness, to sit with your own energy, can be so beneficial in making that voice a little clear, and a little louder.
We’d love to support you in this journey within. Explore our breathwork class, Attune, which is specifically designed to help you find alignment within your chakras. Additionally, our yoga classes can help support you as you move this energy through your body.