Yoga for Ajna chakra - the third eye

Ways of seeing

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift”.

Albert Einstein

The sixth chakra is known as Ajna - the chakra we find at our third eye.

Ajna means to perceive, or to command and is connected to our pineal gland where melatonin is produced which regulates sleep. This chakra relates to seeing the bigger picture and is all about accessing our sense of intuition - our instinctive responses which guide us to where we want to go and how to get there. Arguably, with the rise of technology, it is way more difficult to access our intuition now as we are constantly having our focus stolen from us through the constant pings and distractions from emails and apps causing our mind to become scattered.

Our third eye is about those hunches we don’t really have proof for but “know” to be true. On our spiritual journey we may consult healers astrologers teachers and gurus to answer life’s questions but when we learn how to connect to our third eye we can begin to trust our self and see clearly without the limitations of the mind.

We access our third eye chakra by quietening the busy mind through slowing down and meditation so we can access our deeper knowing.

Healing our third eye involves releasing old fears and distorted perceptions that have clouded our ability to see through spiritual eyes.

The colour we associate with this energy centre is indigo.

To support our sixth chakra the essential oils to work with are lavender, lime and frankincense as these help awaken the third eye and open to our intuition and inner truths.

If you like to work with crystals then emerald and sapphire are said to calm ajna whereas lapis lazuli are said to help bring balance.

If your mind wanders during your yoga practices or meditation repeating an affirmation can help you regain focus.

Affirmations are a way to anchor our awareness but they also can offer us deeper insights. If we find we have a strong resistance to an affirmation it might be an indication of our shadow - an unhealed wound and maybe could be explored through journalling or with the support of a therapist.

Here are some suggestions:

I trust my intuition

I see clearly

All the answers lie within me

I know

If you wish to consider healing this area in more depth, perhaps consider journalling. Journalling offers space to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and intentions. With journalling, we get around the filter of censorship and jot down the first thing that crops up this is a tool for reflecting on all that happens and creating space to vision.

We hold so many unconscious stories and journalling gives us space to reflect and possibly reframe experiences and see the joy. This is how we take our power back.

After meditation try journalling around the following prompts:

What practices or rituals do I have in place that help me access my intuition?

How do I mentally switch off?

Am I easily confused when it comes to making big decisions?

Do I over rule my intuition ? Why?

What am I ignoring at the moment? Why?