Tag: yoga and chakras

YOLY Challenge #23: Take the Bridge to Clarity

On By Kim LuyckxIn YOLY Challenge of the WeekLeave a comment

Focus on the space between your eyes, this is the seat of your perception center, sometimes referred to as the mind’s eye.

third_eye

The third eye or ajna chakra allows us to see things as they are meant to be seen – it is the connection to the quiet voice of the soul.

I call this challenge “The Bridge to Clarity” because as we make our journey to the higher chakras, we cross over into a new realm.  On the other side is greater access to our dreams, intuition and imagination. When we begin to attend to our third-eye, we find ourselves more lucid, balanced and clear.

Our posture work this week will pave the way to this new state of being.

Fine-tune your mind’s eye with these daily postures:

Tree Pose (with your eyes closed): a wonderful way to get more insight into this pose through balance.

Supported Seated Forward Bend: descend into a comfortable place and support your forehead to increase blood flow to the brain and become more inward.

Child’s Pose:  make this as supportive as you can and cushion the forehead slightly – give attention to the third eye as you restore.

Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall): use an eye bag and detach from your surroundings.

 “The superior person settles her mind as the universe settles the stars in the sky. By connecting her mind with the subtle origin, she calms it. Once calmed, it naturally expands, and ultimately her mind becomes as vast and immeasurable as the night sky.”  -Lao Tzu

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YOLY Challenge #17: Catch the Energy from Your Solar Plexus

On By Kim LuyckxIn YOLY Challenge of the WeekLeave a comment

Our chakra journey continues today with the third level, the Manipura chakra.  It is anatomically connected with the solar plexus. This is a region that covers the mid-body and can be associated with the stomach or gut yet is literally a ganglia of nerves located behind the abdominal region at the level of the first lumbar vertebra.

The third chakra is related to our power, our intention and desires. The balanced movement of prana through this area gives us self-confidence, motivation and direction.

It’s an auspicious time to catch a solar wave as we move toward the Autumnal Equinox – the phase when our days in the sun become diminished as longer nights trump longer days.

So, soak up the sun while you can and harness its energy with yoga.

sunrise-1513747__180

 

Try one pose each day this week:

1.) Surya Namaskar – Sun Salutation

2.) Virabhadrasana I – 1st Warrior Pose

3.) Virahbadrasana II – 2nd Warrior Pose

4.) Virabhadrasana III – 3rd Warrior Pose

5.) Supta Hasta Padangusthasana – Reclining Hand to Foot Pose

6.) Trikonsana – Triangle Pose

7.) Vasisthasana – Side Plank

Use your belly brain to discover your hidden power.

“The technique a teacher passes on are petals on the flower, but the stem is inside you. No one can show you what that looks and feels like. They can help you learn and show you what they have found useful but the inner teachings are going on all the time – the little discoveries that can only be made from within as you compare the you that was with the you that is awakening.”