Activating the Crown Chakra: How Yoga Can Connect You to Enlightenment
If you are have an interest or practice yoga and/or meditation, there is a high chance you have heard of the body’s seven chakras, and the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of opening them to bolster energy sources in our body.
The term "chakra" comes from Sanskrit and means "wheel" or "circle," referring to the circular shape of the energy centres. In essence, when all the chakras are unblocked or balanced, energy is able to flow through our body without difficulty. However, if they become blocked or imbalanced (due to stress or anxiety) it can hamper our body and mind’s ability to function properly.
There are seven main chakras in the body, each associated with a different colour, symbol, and set of qualities. Our focus this week is on the crown chakra, the seventh in the body’s energy system.
What is the Crown Chakra?
The crown chakra, or Sahasrara in Sanskrit, is the seventh chakra in the body's energy system. Located at the top of the head, it is associated with the colour violet or white, and represents thought, spiritual connection, enlightenment, and higher consciousness. The word Sahasrara, translates to “thousand petals” in English, referencing the thousand-petal lotus flower, and said to be the most subtle chakra in the system.
When the crown chakra is open and balanced, we feel a deep sense of connection to the universe and a greater understanding of our purpose in life. However, when imbalanced, you might feel a lack of spiritual connection, feel disconnected from the world around us as well as a lack of purpose or direction in life - that can often be associated with depression and other mental health concerns. Some even tie it to physical symptoms such as headaches, migraines, and neurological issues.
So, how do you activate and balance the crown chakra?
There are several ways in which you can stimulate your chakras, but yoga tends to be a popular option as it promotes mindfulness and self-awareness, which are important for chakra balance. By practicing yoga with intention, focusing on the qualities associated with each chakra, we can cultivate greater self-awareness and promote chakra balance.
Here are some popular poses that help to specifically target the crown chakra:
Lotus Pose (Padmasana)
Lotus pose is a seated posture that is often used for meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises). Sitting with the spine straight and the crown of the head lifted can help to open the crown chakra and promote a sense of connection to higher consciousness.
How to do it:
Begin by sitting on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place your right foot on top of your left thigh, close to your hip.
Bring your left foot up and place it on top of your right thigh, close to your hip. The soles of your feet should be facing upward.*
Place your hands in a comfortable position, be it on your knees, or together in front of you.
Lengthen your spine, sitting up tall and relaxing your shoulders down away from your ears.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath, holding the pose for several breaths or as long as you feel comfortable.
* You can always modify the pose by crossing your legs in a comfortable seated position. As your flexibility improves, you can work towards practicing the full lotus pose.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Tree pose is a standing balance posture that requires focus and concentration. In this pose, the foot is rooted firmly on the ground, while the arms reach up towards the sky, representing the connection between earth and sky. This can help to activate the crown chakra and promote a sense of spiritual connection.
How to do it:
Start in mountain pose, standing straight, looking forwards and with your hands by your side and feet facing forwards.
Slowly transfer your weight to your right foot, then lift your left foot and bring its sole to rest against your right leg. Depending on your level and balance this can be against your ankle, your calf or your thigh. Feel free to hold onto a chair or a wall for support if needed and stay there.
Continue to stand strong on your right leg and actively press your left foot against it. Only draw the knee back to the extent that you keep your hips squared.
Put your palms together in front of your chest and look forwards. Alternatively, you can lift your arms up on your next inhale and breathe deeply.
Hold the pose for a couple of minutes.
To come out of the pose, bring your foot down slowly down
Repeat on your left leg
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
Corpse pose is a restorative posture that is often used for relaxation and meditation. Lying on the back with the arms and legs extended, the body is completely relaxed, allowing the mind to settle and the crown chakra to open.
How to do it:
Lie down on your back on a yoga mat or a comfortable surface, with your legs extended and your arms by your sides. Your palms should be facing upward, with your fingers slightly curled.
Allow your feet to fall open to the sides, and make any other adjustments to your body to help you feel comfortable and supported.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing any tension in your body.
Close your eyes and allow your body to relax completely. Release any tension in your jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, hips, legs, and feet.
Focus on your breath, allowing it to flow naturally and effortlessly. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Stay in Savasana for several minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable. When you're ready to come out of the pose, bring your attention back to your body, take a few deep breaths, wiggle your fingers and toes, and stretch your arms and legs.
Roll over onto your side, and rest here for a few breaths before slowly coming up to a seated position.
Headstand (Sirsasana)
Headstand is an advanced pose that requires strength, balance, and focus, but it is also a powerful way to activate the crown chakra. In this pose, the head is on the ground, and the body is inverted, which can help to stimulate blood flow to the brain and promote mental clarity.
We are not sharing “how to” headstand as, with any advance position, we prefer you to seek out instructions from a qualified practitioner who can guide you through the pose and the different modifications for it.
In addition to these poses, there are other practices that can help to balance the crown chakra, such as meditation, visualization, and chanting. For example, repeating the mantra "Om" can help to activate the crown chakra and promote a sense of spiritual connection.
It's important to remember that chakra balancing is a holistic practice that involves more than just physical postures. A balanced crown chakra requires a healthy diet, regular exercise, positive relationships, and a sense of purpose. By incorporating yoga and other practices into your daily routine, you can help to activate and balance the crown chakra, promoting spiritual growth and higher consciousness.
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