Ajna is the third eye chakra, which translates in Sanskrit to perceive and to command. It is the sixth chakra in our chakra system and is located on the forehead, between the eyebrows at the carotid plexus. It is represented not by a traditional element, but rather by the element of light. The color of Ajna is indigo, a deep royal blue.
Where Is The Third Eye Chakra In My Body?
It is no surprise that the third eye chakra is located at our third eye. Specifically, it is located on the forehead, between the eyebrows at the carotid plexus. The third eye is the inner eye that forms a triangle with the two physical eyes below it. As the summit of the triangle, it represents our peak ability to see, to have deeply clear vision and wisdom.
What Is The Third Eye Chakra All About?
The third eye chakra is our source of intuition and inner wisdom. It is about learning to trust our intuition and how to make decisions and recognize patterns based on what we see. I mean seeing without the eyes, seeing by using our third eye, which has the ability to perceive much more clearly than our eyes. What we see with our eyes is usually fraught with opinions, judgements, fears. What we see with our inner eye is pure wisdom and knowledge. Learning to recognize patterns in what has happened in the past, whether directly or indirectly, leads to insight for better decision making in the present.
“Ascending to the sixth chakra opens us to transcendent realms beyond ordinary awareness. This expansion can radically shift our perspective of daily situations and bring profound insight and vision. It can also elevate our understanding to broader levels, allowing us to embrace a much larger system of being than we have ever encountered. In expansion of consciousness, chakra six takes us to a beautiful world of colors and symbols, dreams and fantasy, archetypes and images. The possibilities expand through imagination, which stimulates creativity. Our new vista gives us increased understanding, as we not only perceive the patterns around us, but also perceive our own place and purpose in them.”
Anodea Judith, Eastern Body, Western Mind
Visualization is also crucial to the health of the third eye chakra, Ajna. If you can think symbolically, and can close your eyes and let your imagination aid you in your journey, then you will only deepen your knowledge of being. Visualization can go awry, of course, and can lead to illusions. However, if done with a healthy dose of perspective, then visualization can strengthen our ability of reflection and contemplation.
“To have a vision is to carry within us a source of inspiration and power. Like a guiding light, it illuminates our path and helps us sort out the many decisions we must make. Vision gives meaning and purpose to our life, shaping and transforming the world around us. Vision creates the strange attractors that shape chaotic energies into definable patterns. For some, vision comes easily, rising unbidden from the depths of consciousness to clarify our purpose or understanding. For most people, however, vision needs to be sought, invited, cultivated, and celebrated.” – Anodea Judith, Eastern Mind, Western Body
A Balanced and Unbalanced Third Eye Chakra
Signs of a balanced third eye chakra can include a strong relationship to one’s inner world, intuition, and imagination. Such a person with a healthy Ajna would be able to trust their instincts and their insights. They would have the ability to visualize things easily, and use their imagination with comfort and ease. Moreover, they would have a great memory and would be perceptive. Also, they would have wonderful recall of their dreams.
“Balanced characteristics include intuitive perceptive abilities that enhance one’s functioning and the ability to be imaginative and creative. A balanced sixth chakra is able to calm the mind and see clearly, without having personal issues or lower identities in the way. It can think symbolically, imagine different outcomes, and find a guiding vision that gives meaning to life.”
Anodea Judith, Eastern Body, Western Mind
There are many signs of a third eye chakra block. Simple signs to look for would be poor dream recall or suffering from nightmares. Having a poor memory or vision problems are also signs of an imbalanced third eye chakra. Also, difficulty visualizing or imagining things is indicative of a blockage, as is denial and delusions. Traumas and abuses that can impact the third eye chakra is when what you see doesn’t pair up with what you’re told, and when your intuition is invalidated by those around you.
How To Heal The Third Eye Chakra?
Both the sixth and the seventh chakra are the chakras that are most impacted by meditation. While meditation is wonderful for healing all of the seven chakras, the sixth and the seventh chakras are the most effected by meditation. Therefore, any type of meditation you can do, even if it is for just 5-10 minutes a day, can help heal the third eye chakra and restore it to balance. Guided visualization meditation is particuarly valuable for healing third eye chakra blocks.
Creating visual art is also beneficial for the third eye chakra, whether it is just coloring in a coloring book, doodling, drawing, painting, or ceramics— any type of visual art creation stimulates while simultaneously relaxing the third eye chakra.
If you’re interested, hypnosis and dreamwork have also been proven to be helpful when trying to heal blocks in the third eye chakra.
In terms of yoga, the best yoga asanas to do for balancing the third eye chakra, Ajna, are balancing asanas. Balancing asanas, from Eagle Pose (Garudasana) to Warrior III Pose (Virabhadrasana III), making stabilizing the mind critical. One must quiet th mind, and have confidence in one’s inner guide to trust that we can stabilize in balancing asanas. It is this certainty, this conviction, that we can stand steady no matter what conditions we are in or what positions our bodies are in. Another wonderful asana for the third eye chakra is Balasana (Child’s Pose). Place the forehead on the ground, and gently roll your forehead from side to side. This provides a gentle massage to the third eye chakra, waking up your center of intuition and inner knowledge.
Third Eye Chakra Overview
Name: Ajna (to perceive and command)
Element: Light
Color: Indigo
Basic Principles: Knowledge of being, Intuition, Insight, Visualization, Symbolic thinking, Dreaming, and Pattern recognition
Location: Forehead, brow, carotid plexus, third eye
Associated Gland: Pituitary gland
Negative Power: Illusion
Basic Rights: To see
Physical Ailments: Headaches and vision problems.
Aromas: Mint and Jasmine
Yoga Poses: Eagle Pose (Garudasana), Warrior III Pose (Virabhadrasana III), and Child’s Pose (Balasana).
Stones:
- Lapis Lazuli: Stone of Universal Truth. An incredible stone for psychic vision, clarity, and developing awareness. It is like the deep blue sky, filled with the stars in the sky at night. Can give you a feeling of security within the cosmos of your soul. If placed ont he third eye, it can give you insight into your dreams.
- Sodalite: The Logic Stone. Sodalite emits a calm energy that clears the mind so that deep thinking can occur. It also is great for deep journeyed inward, as well as for meditation practices. It enhances one’s powers of analysis, observation, and creativity.
- Sapphire: Stone of Wisdom. It is the stone for those who are seekers of spiritual truths. It is the perfect stone for those who wish to strengthen their mental acuity, and work on self-discipline so that they can better accomplish goals.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Wild Yoga Tribe and for learning about the third eye chakra!
Want more? Check out the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast!
https://wildyogatribe.com/podcast/
Tune into the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify! If you feel called, please subscribe and give a review!
Questions? Comments? Let’s get social!
https://www.instagram.com/wildyogatribe/
https://www.facebook.com/wildyogatribe
https://twitter.com/wildyogatribe
Mediate with me: https://insig.ht/6gFTaXHlogb
Flow with me: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildYogaTribe
Book a private yoga or meditation class with me: https://wildyogatribe.com/yogaclasses
Everything you need is just one click away! Check out all the resources here: https://linktr.ee/wildyogatribe
How do you connect with your third-eye chakra? Let me know in the comments below!
