The Third Eye - Ajna

INDIGO – a healing colour and the colour of spirituality

 Ajna is located in the midbrain near the pituitary gland.  It is sometimes called the third eye as it is said to be the source of inner vision.  Science now tells us that where the yogis located Ajna happens to be the point where the right and left optic nerves cross in the brain so it literally is a third eye of sorts.  Ajna is the meeting point at the space between the eyebrows and the temples.

If your head is tilted too far upward then Ajna will become too open and you will be spaced out and prone to accidents (although very insightful spiritually).  If the head is too far forward (because of stress and tension) Ajna will stay closed.

 Essentially this Chakra is associated with the brain, and when this Chakra is in balance, you can exhibit extraordinary clarity of thought, combining logical reasoning with intuition, knowingness and inspiration.  The third eye Chakra strives for completeness in terms of the self – inner harmony between body, mind and spirit – and in terms of the Divine, the creator or the whole of creation itself.

As with any spiritual development opening the third eye Chakra requires a level of intense honesty with both yourself and others.  Unflinching honesty can make your life – and other’s lives – quite uncomfortable at times.  When the third eye Chakra is open and balanced, it accepts no excuses.  So, however difficult a choice may be if the third eye Chakra knows it is the right one, you are compelled to follow that path.  Absolving yourself from responsibility by blaming your past on other people or things, simply will not work. 

Because the third eye Chakra can make our lives so uncomfortable, most people find it easier to close it down.  By doing so you don’t need to worry about the path you are taking in life or about the effects of your words and actions on others – an opposite state to mindfulness, in which you examine the motivation behind every thought, deed, word and action.

However when you close down the third eye a series of muddles and poor choices can arise; you can lose your sense of purpose and become so self-absorbed that your relationships become dysfunctional.

The spark of inspiration that is ignited by opening the third eye Chakra exists in all of us.  When the third eye Chakra’s energy is very strong, inspiration takes many positive forms: from flashes of intuition to sudden insights about how to solve a problem, from a sense of the Divine in all things to moments of pure clairvoyance.

Ajna is not thought of as being balanced or imbalanced the way the other Chakras are.  Rather, Ajna is either open or closed.  When the mind is still and the lower Chakras are in balance, then Ajna Chakra opens to communicate with the higher intelligence of the crown Chakra and brings you to that place of inspiration, clarity of thought and healing.  When the lower Chakras are out of balance, it remains closed and you lose your ability to connect to the Divine.

So in a sense there does need to be balance, a mix between the internal and the external.  The start of actually beginning to see what has always been there, though you never noticed it before – reading the energy, seeing the aura, sensing the person, place, thing etc.  The best way to do this is to be quiet and simply observe, see the colours, movements, shadows, mannerisms, spaces, time, grass grow, hear the noise, the silences, whispers on the wind, emotion on the breath, your inner voice...

But remember that you are a spiritual being already, fully enlightened and already Divine so don’t spend all your time in meditation trying to become what you already are...get out and enjoy life physically, it is after all why you are here.

This Chakra resonates to the colour royal blue and purple, eating raw foods from all the colours of the spectrum are good, preferably with high water content, at least 70%, and raw. Invest in some Amethyst, although even better, invest in seven crystals that accord with the seven Chakras of the body and lie down and place the relevant chakra on each centre to balance each of them at the same time. I'm happy to suggest seven crystals which would work, just pop me an email to emma@beinspiredby.co.uk.

It is worth mentioning that on a hormonal level, the Ajna Chakra is associated with the pituitary gland, which is often called the master gland, as it secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands and regulate various biological processes.  Ajna is therefore also thought of as the command centre of the glands that relate to each of the Chakras. So if hormonal imbalance is your thing, try and work on all your Chakras to help to balance them.

In terms of yoga, I'd be inclined to practice a standing forward bend such as Uttanasana (standing forward fold) and encourage blood down towards your brain.  You could also try balasana (pose of a child) for a restorative option, making sure to rest your third eye centre on your fists, block, blankets or a bolster, so this can soften onto something.  And then bring your awareness to rest on the space between the eyebrows. Salamba Sirsasana (headstand) can help too, although please make sure you practice this with a qualified teacher if this is not already part of your regular practice.

Alternate nostril breathing is ideal for working with this Chakra.  Establish a comfortable seat with the spine extended and the chest clear.  Rest the left hand onto the left leg, while folding the index finger and middle finger of the right hand into the palm of the right hand and extending the other fingers.  Place the thumb on the right nostril, just below the bony cartilage bit and the ring finger onto the left nostril.

Breathe in through both nostrils and then close the right nostril and breathe out the tidal breath through the left nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, closing the left nostril and exhaling the right nostril, inhale through the right nostril, close the right nostril and exhale left.  Continue for 5-10 minutes if you can then sit with the right hand now on the right leg and inner gaze turned towards the third eye centre.

You can also chant "Om".  This is marvellous.  We should all be chanting "Om" every day!!

The Throat Chakra - Visuddha

BLUE – third primary colour and first of spiritual colours

The throat Chakra is in the hollow of the throat.  The throat is between the head and the heart – between heaven and earth - it is the meeting point between the two higher spiritual Chakras and the four lower physical Chakras, it is where we can speak our thoughts, blend the inner and the outer, the above with the below - Heaven with Earth.

A healthy throat Chakra enhances self-expression and openness to the ideas of others. When it is in balance it purifies all of the Chakras and brings harmony into your being.  It is an enormously powerful Chakra and it is important to keep it in balance so that all of the other Chakras are optimised.

The throat Chakra is connected to the idea of vocation or calling.  When this Chakra is brought into balance, many people suddenly discover a fresh outlook on what they want to do in life.  They may change their priorities or they may feel a literal vocation calling them to an entirely new profession or way of life.

When it is balanced, you discover your authentic voice and can be yourself in all situations.  Your communication is clear and untainted, and you communicate to others with compassion and kindness.  You have the space to see yourself clearly and can let the divine wisdom of the Universe guide each moment of your life.

A healthy throat Chakra ensures self-expression in every sense; being able to put forward your ideas, while listening to the perspectives of others in an open and positive way.  When you come to terms with your own unique inner self and its intuitions and instincts, you know this Chakra is working, as it should.  If you are dogmatic, refuse to listen to other’s advice or you get bogged down in minor details rather than addressing the heart of an issue, you need to work on this Chakra.

Giving your word is another way in which the throat Chakra expresses itself.  Those with strong throat Chakras are reliable and mean what they say.  They are able to make commitments to other people, follow a spiritual path, aspire to high ideals, and can sometimes make huge changes in their lives if they instinctively know they should.

The theme of communication is of paramount importance to the throat Chakra.  A closed or poorly functioning throat Chakra can often be heard in a monotonous, droning voice. 

An unbalanced throat Chakra often means you feel defensive about your ideas, and threatened when others have different views.  You may be unwilling to voice your ideas at all, preferring to align yourself to ready made ideologies.  Alternatively you may never stop talking, but without saying anything important.

Further, an unbalanced throat Chakra can leave you anxious and confused, not knowing which direction to take and fearful of taking a new path.  Sometimes you can even cling to a person, an idea or a way of life even though you know it is damaging.  An unhealthy throat Chakra can also manifest itself in illnesses, such as neck and throat ailments, headaches, teeth and gum conditions, ear infections and mouth ulcers.

As this Chakra resonates to the colour blue looking at a clear blue sky will help to energise it, or perhaps wearing a turquoise scarf or necklace around your neck or carrying a blue crystal with you such as sodalite or blue lapiz. You can also journal, just write down how you feel and what is bothering you and see what arises. 

In your yoga practice get chanting. Invest in some Deva Premal and sing along to the mantra. Or try some Bija mantra and focus on the Bija mantra for the throat, "ham", repeat for a few minutes at a time. Or practice some Brahmari breath, the bumble bee breath, and see how that affects the energy you feel around your throat chakra.

In terms of asana, you can work with Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose), Tabletop pose, Ardho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog) and Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulderstand). Pay attention to how you move and place your neck when you come into these poses and remember to create space. Notice how these poses change sensations around the neck and how they make you feel.

Lastly remember that when someone talks, listens to the words and also the silences.  What was not said is important too.  Feel the emotion of what was said, trust your gut feeling - that small voice inside of you - less is definitely more when it comes to talking and expressing yourself; this is true communication.  Say what you mean and mean what you say and speak only when you have something to say.  Don’t forget that words have power – they are thoughts made manifest.

The Heart Chakra - Anahata

GREEN – the colour green is about harmony and nature.

This Chakra is the spiritual centre of the ‘column’ of 7 Chakras, below it the root, sacral and solar plexus Chakras represent the personal and the physical.  Above it, the throat, brow and crown Chakras represent the spiritual and universal.  The heart Chakra provides the vital link for the whole.

Essentially your heart Chakra is associated with love and compassion, not just love for yourself and others, but a love for the Divine (in whatever guise) and all of creation. The hands, in particular, are closely associated with the heart Chakra, and a kind touch is an outward sign of love, compassion and forgiveness that typify this Chakra when it is in an open and balanced state. 

The heart Chakra is also a seat of creativity.  A blocked heart Chakra results in creative blocks, while an open one leaves you open to inspiration. However the heart Chakra can be too open.  You can pour out so much heart energy in your desire to help others that you can have none left for yourself.

When your heart Chakra is out of balance, you may lack confidence and be unable to let go of your fears.  When your heart Chakra is balanced, you feel energised and have the strength to fulfil your hopes and dreams, and to give and receive unconditional love. 

The key, as ever, is balance.  The heart, in common with all the Chakras, needs to have its own flexibility, the ability to open and close as necessary.  This is particularly important in the heart, as it is the Chakra of change, giving us the confidence to fulfil our hopes, make a break with the past and embrace the future.

Opening up the heart Chakra can feel scary at times, as if you are wide open to attack – and indeed you can be – for a little while.  But soon you will feel the benefits as you will have all this loving energy that you need to share, care and relate to others, so that you are touching people with your heart, and when you do you’ll notice that people become spontaneously drawn to you – chatting at shops, strangers wanting to talk to you, animals coming over for a stroke.

And while challenges may still present themselves in your life, rather than just reacting, you may now be able to respond by standing back and handling the situation with love so the outcome will be for everyone’s highest good.  You will feel more in tune with the other person’s heart and you will know just what to do...and trust in yourself.

The heart Charka does not occupy the same position as the physical heart, it is more central, in your chest cavity.  Hormonally, the heart Chakra is associated with the thymus gland, which is part of the lymphatic system, which in turn is central to the immune system.  A blocked or poorly functioning heart Chakra can lead to a weakened immune system, stress-related disorders and problems involving the lungs and respiratory system.

To connect more fully with this Chakra, you could practice a heart opening yoga sequence, involving side stretches and backward bending poses.  These could include Trikonasana (Triangle pose), Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended side angle pose), Ustrasana (camel pose), Dhanurasana (bow pose) and Setu Bandasana (Bridge pose).

Make sure that you practice with a place of compassion to the self - there is often a lot of fear in back bending and opening the heart, not least due to concerns about the lower back, but also about literally opening the heart, many people have kept this closed for years and our forward bending sedentary/office/screen time lifestyle does nothing to alleviate this. So be gentle.  Slowly, slowly. It really is amazing to open the heart though!

Other ways to energise this energy centre include going for a walk in nature and seeing all the greens, the grass, the trees, the plants, the hills, really “see” nature.  Of course you can lie on the grass, grow plants and fresh herbs, wear the colour, and eating greens works too as they resonate at just the right frequency. Invest in some beautiful rose quartz or green aventurine.

The Solar Plexus - Manipura Chakra

YELLOW – the colour of mental energy

This Chakra is extremely complex.  It is the Chakra of the mind, ruling rational thought, discernment and individuality.  Yet it is also a very physical Chakra, governing your digestive system, liver and spleen as well as your back.  It is the Chakra from which your moral judgements emerge, and from which you draw the moral courage to stand up for what you believe in.

The Sanskrit name for the solar plexus means, “jewel in the city” and the jewel it refers to is the mind.  When your solar plexus Chakra is in balance, your mind is also in balance.  You are in control of yourself and the challenges and decisions that you face in life.   As well as being warm in nature, people with balanced solar plexus Chakras tend to have a healthy intuition, they can generally rely on their hunches or “gut instincts”, and they can express themselves well.

When your solar plexus Chakra is in balance, you are discerning, disciplined and assertive, and you face life’s challenges with courage and integrity.  Your ego will no longer need continual gratification.  You will discover a moderation in thought and action; you are able to listen to people without being overwhelmed by them.  You instinctively find a comfortable relationship with the world.  Your character becomes gemlike: solid, multifaceted, filed with life.

The fire in this Chakra gives you your “glow”, burnishes your ego, and illuminates your mind; it helps you to see the world around you clearly.  This fire also creates the necessary heat for the metabolism of food, cellular transactions and thought.

An overly dominant solar plexus leads to bullying, egotistical and aggressive behaviour.  These people believe they are always right and get angry easily, and seek to control others through their anger.

A weak solar plexus Chakra results in depression, guilt and lack of confidence; it becomes hard for you to see your life clearly, leading to feelings of heightened vulnerability.

Ailments resulting from an unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra include ulcers, irritable bowl syndrome, liver and digestive problems.

Because the solar plexus is the centre of the intellect and decision-making, it is important for the health and development of this Chakra that you make your own choices, rather than have them made for you.  The development of the solar plexus is hindered if you have a feeling of powerlessness in life.

You can have, be and do anything you choose in your life...anything, you just have to choose wisely and believe in yourself.  So don’t settle for second best and please don't give your power away. Chakra is a powerful receiver and transmitter of energy, as you give, so you receive, so balance is essential here. 

If you are giving out feelings of being a failure then this will be reflected straight back at you, if you give out feelings of being a success then this will be reflected straight back at you.  Give to yourself first and foremost otherwise you won’t have anything to give to others.

This Chakra can be energised with colour like wearing bright yellow or eating yellow foods such as yellow peppers, lemons, bananas and sweetcorn.  Plus enjoying the sunshine. Crystals for this chakra include citrine and yellow jasper.

In your yoga practice, work with core strengthening poses such as Navasana (boat pose) and Santolanasana (plank pose), or with twisting poses such as Ardha Matsyenasana (half fish pose) and Jathara Parvartanasana (revolved supine twist - also a core strengthener).

You can also work with Uddiyana Bandha, which is the abdominal lock and is mentioned in the ancient scriptures as being the most powerful way to positively influence and affect the solar plexus.  Please ensure you only practice this under the guidance of an experienced teacher and never if you have abdominal issues or are pregnant. 

Notice where you give your power away in life.  Notice also your posture, especially on your mat, do you engage your core muscles or allow your stomach to stick out and thereby giving your power away? Draw in and up, energise and retain your power (healthy power) within. 

The Sacral Chakra - Svadhishthana

ORANGE – balances the red of the physical energy with the yellow of the mental energy.

The second Chakra, Svadhishthana, is linked to taste in the broadest sense - your likes and dislikes.  It is the seat of creativity, pleasure, attraction and, in particular, sexuality.  The sacral Chakra is also the seat of our emotions.

This Chakra is the most feminine of the 7 Chakras.  It is profoundly connected with fertility and is ruled by the moon, which pulls not only the seas and oceans, but also the waters within our own bodies. 

A balanced sacral Chakra is characterised by physical fluidity and grace. People with a balanced sacral Chakra tend to be friendly, open and trusting, in touch with their feelings and able to express them, willing to see the positive rather than the negative, and able to turn problems into challenges.

When this Chakra is out of balance nothing and no one is ever enough.  Life has no constancy.  You feel fragmented and volatile.  Your desires dominate and oblige you to seek satisfaction through the senses – sex, food, material possessions, status.  An out-of-balance sacral Chakra brings about guilt, self-pity, manipulative behaviour and envy.

If the Chakra is too open you may forget your own needs and occupy so much with the needs of others that you end up feeling like a martyr.  Lack of balance can also give rise to sexual problems, jealousy and obsession.

In essence, it is sexual expression – the most powerful and fundamental of your creative energies - that characterises the sacral Chakra.  It guides our sexual identity, our ability to bond with a partner and to take pleasure in our sexuality. 

When in balance it gives us profound sexual and emotional happiness.  It is worth reflecting that the word “sacral” comes from the same root as “sacred”.  Sex is not meant to be a casual, meaningless event, but nor is it meant to induce guilt.  Rather with openness and empathy, it is something that brings great joy and pleasure.

This Chakra is situated in the bowl of the pelvis, directly over the ovaries and testes.  It governs the spleen, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder and all the bodily fluids.  In order to find lightness and balance in this Chakra we must seek to balance the pelvis. 

If you are not using this energy internally then you need to be expressing your sacral energy externally through writing, drawing, painting, singing, anything that encourages your creativity and encourages the energy to flow strongly and smoothly. 

To enhance tour ability to feel this chakra in alignment then work with the following yoga poses to seek a balance through this centre:

• Virabhadrasana II (warrior 2) - this pose strengthens your legs and brings greater awareness of how your legs interact and stabilise your pelvis. 
• Upavista Konasana (seated wide angle pose) - this pose helps you to find the balance in this Chakra, because you can feel how the position of your pelvis influences your ability to find a neutral spine.
• Bhujangasana (cobra pose) - in this pose you do not want to feel any pressure in your lumbar spine.  Internally rotating the legs widens the lower back and creates space so that you can then lengthen  your tailbone down toward your heels. This action balances the Chakra and supports the back bend in your thoracic spine.

Furthermore to energise and encourage greater balance to the sacral Chakra, try wearing orange, investing in some carnelian gemstones and keeping them close to your sacral area of the body, connecting with the moon and keeping a journal to write and express your emotions.