6th Chakra- Breaking Through Illusions

The 6th Chakra is known as “Ajna” in Sanskrit translating as “to perceive and command.” Located between the eyebrows, the 6th Chakra or “third eye” coordinates the functions of the eyes including the gift of sight. Through the physical eyes we take in and perceive images from the outside to create an internal map of the world around us. Our mind’s eye gleans insight from dreams, unconscious images, intuitions and creative visualizations so we may command or create our reality. Seeing fills our brain with the element of light shining the truth of our spirit into our consciousness. The third eye also governs the functions of the pineal gland, a light sensitive organ that monitors our relationship to the sun, to light. We can use light to help us transcend physical limitations or beliefs of the mind. By engaging our intuition with our mind’s eye, we can break through illusions and “see into the windows of the soul”. This chakra challenges us to deeply examine the beliefs we invest our energies in: Can you believe that your life has purpose and meaning beyond what you can see? Can you see the way ahead is clear? Can you close your eyes to see? Can you see auras? Self-doubt often prevents us from seeing what is true--what has always been right there in front of our eyes. Build trust, strength, and compassion for your intuition as you practice opening the 6th Chakra with the following exercises:

Stretching the Eyes
In a seated position close your eyes until you feel relaxed. Once you are ready open eyes and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look up and as you breathe out look down. Return your gaze straight ahead, close your eyes, pause and relax. Open eyes again and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look left and as you breathe out look right. Return gaze straight ahead, close your eyes, pause and relax. Open eyes and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look up and as you breathe out roll eyes toward the right in a clockwise direction reaching the bottom of your out-breath as you’re looking down. Inhale beginning to move towards the left completing the circle at the end of your in-breath by looking up. Repeat three times in both clockwise and then counter-clockwise directions moving with your breath. Return your gaze straight ahead. Clap hands together and rub until warm, place warm hands over eyes, close your eyes, pause and relax as you block all light out with your palms. This exercise stretches the eye muscles, relaxes the optic nerve, and can improve the clarity of your sight.

Color Meditation
Begin in a seated position on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and allow your breathe to be even. Imagine a shining disk of bright white light floating directly above your head, holding color which you can pull from.
When you are ready breathe in and pull down a color from the disk through your crown and down your spine. Start with the first Chakra and the color red. For example:
Breathe in and pull the color red down through the top of your head, along your spine and fill the base of your spine (1st Chakra) with red. Rest and notice how this color feels. Energized? Uncomfortable?
Continue for each chakra until all wheels are spinning with light and color:
1st chakra- Red
2nd chakra- Orange
3rd chakra- Yellow
4th chakra-Green
5th chakra- Blue
6th chakra- Indigo
7th chakra-Violet
Once you are complete check each chakra to see if they are retaining their color. Which is brightest? Strongest? Pale? Or weak? The colors that feel easy to see are most likely places of strength. The colors that are most difficult to see may represent areas of challenge. Work at balancing the colors and seeing your body as a continuous rainbow.

“Change how you see, not how you look”-Unknown

The 5th or Throat Chakra - What you Say Matters

Prana or vital life force flows through the top of the head and down through the chakras, and simultaneously flows upward through the chakras. These ascending and descending currents are inherent to our physical and spiritual growth. As prana passes through us, each center is given the nourishment needed to express, transform and understand our inner landscape and our interconnection with all that is.

“Right thought leads to right speech leads to right action.” -Caroline Myss

Mandala of the 5th Chakra or Throat Soul

Vishuddha or “Purification” is the 5th Chakra found at the throat. This Chakra works to keep the free flow of blood, lymph and prana to the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. It helps balance the energies and functions of the thyroid and parathyroid. This chakra may be balanced or enhanced by wearing the color blue-think bright blue. It expresses itself through the element of sound and works to achieve clarity. This chakra represents the ability to clearly express our truth. Are you speaking your truth? Do you say yes, when you mean no? Do you realize that what you say matters? We are creating the world around us each and every moment with the words we choose to say. The throat soul is a powerful center providing the opening into conscious creation. Let us strengthen our resounding truth by activating the 5th chakra with movement:

Neck Stretch-
Sit or stand comfortably. Take an expansive breath in, and as you exhale gently allow your head to fall forward reaching your chin to your chest. Breathe in and arch your head and chin toward the ceiling. Repeat 3-4 times.
Breathe in; as you exhale gently reach your ear to your shoulder. Breathe in, stretch your ear to the opposite shoulder. Repeat 3-4 times moving from side to side.

Breathe in; as you exhale look to the left bringing your chin to your shoulder. Breathe in and the head returns to center; exhale look to the right. Repeat 3-4 times looking and gently exploring your range of motion from side to side.

Shoulder Stand

Start lying flat on your back legs and arms outstretched. Bring your knees in toward your chest. Lift hips off the floor and allow legs to straighten as you reach them toward the ceiling. Bring hands up to support your lower back. Make sure to keep your head centered as you continue to take full deep breaths. Remain in shoulder stand for up to 10 minutes.

To release the pose first bend the knees in and toward your head. Gently roll the spine back on the floor slowly, one vertebra at a time. Pause laying on the floor to feel the effects of your efforts.

Fish Pose-
Begin by lying down on your back with your legs stretched out along the floor. Bring your hands under your hips with the palms facing down. Strongly press into the elbows lifting your chest up towards the ceiling; allow your head to lift and arch the top of your head to touch the floor. Hold for as long as comfortable taking long deep expansive breathes into your shining heart as the throat is stretched open.