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As we’ve discovered, the human body functions on an energy system, comprising partly of the seven primary chakras. Chakras are the Sanskrit word for wheel, which describes the way in which our energy flows, and also represent major nerve centers along the human spine. Ayurveda stipulates that our energy spins in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Spinning clockwise moves energy out of our body, while spinning counterclockwise pulls in the energy ever present around you.

If you’re interested in all seven chakras, check previous posts for a thorough run down of the first five. Today, we’ll introduce and focus on the third eye chakra, which is also the sixth primary chakra.

Found at your “third eye” directly at the center of your forehead is the third eye chakra, also known as ajna, the seat of intuition. This chakra is our center of wisdom, conscience, and higher consciousness. The third eye chakra is also responsible for clear thought, spiritual contemplation and self-reflection. Our third eye helps us to see things that our eyes can’t. It helps determine one’s reality and beliefs based on what one chooses to see in the world. Ever heard of the ‘sixth sense’? Our third eye chakra being the sixth chakra is responsible for our intuition and is our most perceptive part of the body. Being one of the higher physical chakras, it governs self-awareness, higher wisdom, imagination and thinking from wider perspectives.

Any blocked or out of balance chakra can manifest in a range of both emotional and physical symptoms, often related to the organs and nerve centers in that region. When the third eye chakra is out of balance, you may find yourself suffering from symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, sinus pain, paranoia, brain fog, difficulty focusing and nightmares. Emotional symptoms like moodiness, volatility, and an inability to confront fears can be associated with a blocked third eye chakra. If we’re finding it difficult to learn from others or cooperate with peers, we could also be facing issues with our third eye chakra. A balanced and open third eye chakra allows us to develop our wisdom and deepen understanding of the world around us. An open third eye chakra gives us the ability to self-reflect and to understand our place in the world, but also our interconnectedness. So how can we restore or maintain balance and expand our intuition via the third eye chakra?

Food is one of the most important ways we receive and process energy in our bodies. Its secret that what we eat has an energy and also interacts and affects our own energy. As the third eye chakra resonates with the color indigo, foods in this hue are said to support ajna. Think grapes, purple cabbage, plums, and black raisins. For this chakra, the foods we should avoid are just as, if not more important than the foods we should consume. It’s critical to avoid an excessive intake of stimulants such as coffee and sugar. If you need your morning cup of joe to function it may indicate an unhealthy reliance on caffeine. Caffeine and sugar are known to over stimulate and tax our system, especially the adrenals. Try switching one of your daily cups of coffee with a green – or Rooibos tea and then see if you can eliminate coffee altogether. Sugar not only causes inflammation, insulin resistance and a host of other health issues but it manipulates the pleasure centers of the brain in much the same way cocaine and heroin do. This dopamine effect causes a sugar high and then inevitable crash that diverts your attention away from higher emotions and keeps you in an unproductive brain fog. Keep your sugar levels in check by finding healthier swaps like fruit, nuts and dark chocolate.

Physically moving the body through asana can bring back alignment, helping open those channels of the body and organs responsible for the third eye chakra. Yoga poses like fish pose, shoulder stand, and child’s pose can be conducive to moving energy through this area. Poses that help sharpen your intuition and thus support this chakra are puppy pose, viparita karani (legs up against the wall), and lizard pose. Opening energy in the third eye chakra with gentle inversion like dolphin and downward dog pose helps to move blood and lymph to this energy center. Being mindful of releasing tension in the head, face, and neck, which can block the flow of energy to and from the third eye, start your practice with gentle neck stretches.

The nature of the third eye chakra as our seat of intuition means mediation and affirmations have a very important place in bringing balance to this energy center. Beginners can start by simply sitting in a quiet space and closing the eyes. Focus on the point behind your closed gaze between your eyebrows. Incorporate some affirmations to really hone in on a state of balance and alignment from the third eye. Helpful affirmations to focus on include, “I honor and trust my intuition. I learn from my experiences. I am connected to the universe. I have clarity and peace of mind. I look both inward and outward for wisdom. I am receiving and I am trusting.” Slow down your breathing and gently repeat the affirmations, letting go of expectations and distractions. Enjoy the peaceful silence and give yourself the opportunity to feel and reset. What feelings or ideas come up? Take notice and don’t try to react or problem solve. You will find immediate and cumulative benefits in this practice.

Adding essential oils to your day can also help in balancing the third eye chakra. As this chakra is associated with mental clarity, alertness and focus, lemon essential oil is considered uplifting and awakening. Lemon essential oil is said to help connect the mental body and intuition, improve mental versatility and expand your thoughts. Similarly, sandalwood supports this chakra by inviting wisdom, and inner awareness. As this chakra is associated with the color indigo, stones such as amethyst, purple sapphire and purple tourmaline are all great tools to incorporate in your mediations and even keeping by your bedside table or holding in your hand when making challenging decisions.

Finally, practicing open-mindedness is also important for the third eye because of its connection to perception, wisdom, and guidance. Practice open-mindedness daily by actively challenging your perspective and routines. It can be as simple as trying a new cuisine, reading books by authors from different backgrounds, or listening to a new genre of music, diversity is key here. After all, each of us is just one individual in a world of nearly eight billion people, there is so much learning that we have not yet experienced. Plus, the feelings of growth and connectedness which result from this widening of perspective are inspiring!

Balancing the third eye chakra is an ongoing process, even if you feel a strong sense of intuition, and enjoy laser sharp focus, we can always improve our self-awareness and connection with the world. We already know that we are made-up of energy, along with everything around us. Feeling connection with that energy is the ultimate goal for humans. We want to celebrate our uniqueness and explore how that fits in with the rest of the world.