The sixth of the seven chakras, the third eye, is the located between your two physical eyes. It is called ajna chakra in Sanskrit. Ajna means to perceive. Balancing the third eye chakra helps you tune inward and cultivate intuition. The third eye is the center of consciousness.
Those with a strong third eye chakra are perceptive and able to trust their inner voice. Self-knowledge, intuition, and understanding are also characteristics of a strong third eye chakra. People with strong third eye energy are inspirational, wise, and good at interpreting dreams.
If the third eye chakra is overactive, a person may live in a sort of fantasy world, disconnected from reality. A sluggish third eye can result in rigid thinking. People with an underactive sixth chakra may over-rely on authority figures, friends, or family members to tell them what to do or how to think.
Physical symptoms of an imbalance in the sixth chakra include problems with vision, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, or anxiety. Nervous system disorders may also occur when energy is unable to flow through the sixth chakra.
Yoga Poses for Balancing the Third Eye Chakra
One of the primary yoga poses for balancing the third eye chakra is child’s pose, which grounds the third eye to the earth and helps cultivate inner-seeing. Other yoga poses for the third eye include eagle pose, warrior three, and sun salutes with your physical eyes closed.
Yogic meditation—specifically one-pointed gazing—is also an ideal practice for balancing the third eye chakra. In general, any practice that cultivates focus and concentration can help open the sixth chakra.
Other Tools for Balancing the Third Eye Chakra
As discussed in previous posts in this series on the chakras, each of the seven energy centers has a corresponding color and sound. The color for the third eye chakra is indigo. Fittingly, it’s seed sound is om, the universal vibration. Chanting the sound of om connects us with the universal consciousness that governs our inner wisdom and intuition.
Aromatherapy can also help awaken inner wisdom. Aromas that are typically used for meditation are very effective for balancing the third eye chakra. These include scents like frankincense, neroli, sandalwood, jasmine, and rose.
Physical issues associated with sixth chakra imbalances may also respond to aromatherapy. Headaches may respond to peppermint or lavender. Eucalyptus, sandalwood, or peppermint can ease sinus problems.
Benefits of Balancing the Third Eye Chakra
The third eye is our connection to something beyond the obvious. It’s a powerful energy that can help us envision and manifest purpose, connection, and knowing. Balancing the third eye chakra can help us expand beyond basics so we can experience awe and wonder. There is one more level—the seventh or crown chakra—that connects us to all that is. Before we get there, we need to open the path, and that is the purpose of the third eye. Looking within helps us look beyond the finite. Balancing the third eye chakra gives us our first glimpse of infinite reality.
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