Sometimes called the brow chakra, as it’s between your eyebrows. This chakra opens up your mind to information beyond the material world and the 5 senses. Think of the physical eyes seeing the past and present and this 3rd eye seeing the future-it’s our centre of intuition and wisdom. Associated with the colour Indigo, our intuition or psychic energy, comes from this energy centre.
Science stuff…There is a small pinecone-shaped gland in your brain that takes in light. This gland, the pineal gland, is responsible for helping you feel awake in the daytime and sleepy at night. Interestingly long before our modern day CT scanners existed ancient cultures were aware of this energy centre and it’s purpose.
When your third eye chakra is balanced, you’ll feel in tune with both the physical world and the material world. You will receive psychic information as frequently as you receive information from your 5 physical senses, but it will not overwhelm you.
In contrast to the other chakras we’ve discussed this week, it is very unlikely your 6th chakra is overactive. Most of us are very in tune with our physical reality and find it difficult to receive information outside of it. That being said, some people do have an overactive third eye, spending lots of time engrossed in psychic activities like tarot card readings, astrology, and paranormal experiences.
It’s more likely that you have an underactive 6th Chakra. We live in a world that often invalidates intuitive development. We close off our Third Eye and ignore our own psychic experiences, talking ourselves out of what we’ve felt or seen.
IN A NUTSHELL: Physical signs of imbalance: headaches or have problems with allergies and your sinuses. Emotional signs of imbalance: Indecisiveness, not being true to your instincts.
Balancing an Overactive Brow Chakra: If you are consumed with psychic information, take some time to remind yourself that you are a creature of the Earth. Go to the beach and feel the sand on your toes. Dig in the dirt in your garden. Connect your body to Earth. Perhaps use affirmations like: “I AM A HUMAN BEING. I AM A HUMAN DOING.”
Energizing your third eye: You’ll need to devote some time to quiet, solitary meditation. At first, get used to the feeling of focusing on signals outside of your physical body. Listen to your spirit and recognize how that feels. As you practice this, you’ll find it easier and easier to connect with the energy from your Third Eye. Perhaps try a digital detox too, cutting out screen time and waking and sleeping with the sun.
Yoga Poses we can do to stimulate: Trataka-is a candle gazing exercise that aims to clear blockages in energy here. We can also do Nadi Shodhana-alternate nostril breathing clearing and balancing this area too. (See vid!) In terms of asana-physical poses poses that bring blood and awareness to the area can be stimulating-think Prasarita Padottanasana-wide legged forward fold and Balasana-childs pose.
Other info on The Brow Chakra:
Calming scents: Rosemary, Bergamot
Energizing scents: Violet, amber
Meridians: Urinary bladder, governor vessel, conception vessel, small intestine.