3 Yoga Poses to Expand Awareness and Wisdom - Crown Chakra

What is the CROWN CHAKRA TEMPLE?:

Sahasrara is the only ‘main’ chakra temple located outside the body, located just above the crown of the head. It is referred to as the bridge to the cosmos and connects us to our highest self (Supreme self). This chakra governs the communication and interaction with the Universe and our deeper understanding. This energy center oversees matters of detachment, unity, transcendence, and all that allows us to realize our place within the universe. It leads us to discover our purpose and responsibility for a spiritual life. Sahasrara encourages balance, deep clarity and true awakening through the balance of the Crown Chakra brings balance of our Shiva and Shakti (masculine and feminine sides). Bringing balance to the Crown energy center brings connection with pure wisdom that connects us beyond the physical into the spiritual.

Awareness and Wisdom:

The crown chakra is our gateway to the spiritual realm. When this energy center is open and flowing, we are able to connect with our higher selves and the energy that flows through all living things. Enlightened wisdom and spiritual awareness helps us connect to inner truths and better understand the physical and spiritual world. This connection can encourage inner peace, faith, and cultivate trust that everything is working out for our highest good. “Life is happening for you, not to you. Sahasrara is represented by a thousand petal lotus. The Sanskrit word Sahasrara means 'thousand' or 'infinite'. Balanced and flowing this Energy Center is activated, it brings a positive outlook on life. There are feelings and visible changes in our habits and attitude towards life.  For example embodying the peace in the chaos and finding the light in any situation .The Self is no longer ruled by the ego, yet open to the flow of life. Abundance in emotions such as gratitude, compassion, and true acceptance of self and life. Guiding us to step into our light, power, and become our true Self. 

Yoga’s Aware Wisdom:

Yoga’s wisdom guides your awareness to connect to yourself in profound ways. Not only your higher-self is accessed through the Crown Chakra with help of a Yoga-Meditation practice, your energetic body, and your consciousness is available to connect to as well. Practicing yoga for your crown chakra can help you stay grounded in your own energy. Through this grounding in your own energy you're able to protect and guide your energy to work for your highest good on and off the mat.

1. Savasana - Corpse Pose:

Savasana is a great pose to practice detachment, to fully let go of the ego that entangles with  judgements, expectations, comparison. In this place of wholeness you can connect with who you truly are and  be at one with yourself. While this pose is easy on the body, and seems easy enough stillness is sometimes can be  difficult in the body and the  mind. Yet with practice and your guiding breath stillness can be achieved to activate the Crown Chakra Temple.

Guidance to Explore Savasana - Corpse Pose:

• Start by coming down to lie down unto your mat

• Guide the legs and arms open- wide as the mat, or whatever feels good to your body.

• Invite the feet fall open

• Invite the hands facing down to ground or facing up to the sky to receive

• Allow the face to relax and release the jaw

• Bring your awareness to your breath as you take a moment to invite ease to the body

• Scan the body from the toes to the crown of the head, if any tension,  tightness, or contracted muscles..Breathe into these spaces to give them permission to release into ease of the support of the mat. Consciously release and relax any areas that you find. If you need to bring small movements to wiggle or rock parts of your body from side to side to encourage further release do so before coming into stillness.

• Release control of the breath and breathe into your natural rhythm and flow of Inhales and Exhales.

• Breath into this stillness for as long as you’d like (10 mins minimum to help activate your crown) 

• To come out of this pose slowly deepen the breath inhale allowing the body to expand, maybe inviting an open mouth Exhale. Bring small movements back into the body by… wiggling the fingers and toes, reach the arms over your head and stretch the whole body, exhale, bend the knees into the chest and roll over to one side coming into a fetal position (the pose of new beginnings). 

• When you are ready, slowly inhale up to a seated position. Here when you are ready gently allow the eyes to open.

Affirmation: I am open to receiving guidance from the Universe and trust Divine guidance. 

Essential Oil: Myrrh

Stone or Crystal: Clear Quartz

2. Sasangasana - Rabbit Pose:

Rabbit pose is wonderful to connect with your breath and Crown Chakra without a full inversion. Sasangasana benefits your body by flexing the spine, preventing pain and tension in the area. At the same time, it also stabilizes the core and stretches other muscles including the biceps and the triceps. Through this small inversion it stimulates the body to Increase blood flow to the head and brings expansion to the lung with the simulations of the breath.

Guidance to Explore Sasangasana - Rabbit Pose:

• Begin (Hero’s Pose)- kneeling on your mat with your heels under your glutes, palms on the tops of your thighs. 

• Invite your Crown Chakra to the Earth by  lowering your forehead down to your knees, with the crown of your head on the mat.

•  Reach your hands behind you to hold onto the bottom of your feet. Thumbs facing inside the feet Curling up into a small ball. 

• Deep inhale in…Holding onto your feet

• Deep Exhale out and begin to lift your hips up towards the sky, keeping your forehead pressed gently against your knees. Guiding the crown to align with the mat ( little to no pressure here. Should be able to slide a piece of paper)

•  Feel the stretch throughout your shoulders, spine, side core, and back of your legs.

• Come out by gently releasing the grip on the heels and slowing, mindfully coming up vertebrae by vertebrae and breathing for at least 3 breaths.

Affirmation: I am attuned to a higher awareness of truth, love, and oneness with life force energy.

Essential Oil: Frankincense 

Stone or Crystal: Selenite

3. Shirshasana - Headstand Pose:

Sirsasana~Headstand, is one of the best poses to simulate this Energy Center. However, this is an advanced pose that takes a lot of work and practice. Must be honest and also connect to your own unique body intelligence. This takes dedication and  intention to prevent injury (neck being a major risk factor) Core and arm strength will help cultivate steadiness for a buoyant float up to the sky. There are many modifications and inventions that help you work up to a headstand.

Guidance to Explore Shirshasana - Headstand Pose:

• Start on your hands and knees in Table Top Pose to find alignment.

• Begin to place your forearms on the floor in front of you and guide your hands together and interlace your fingers. Make sure your elbows are slightly narrower than shoulder-distance apart.

• Place the crown of your head on the floor with the back of your head against your palms. Press down into your mat with your forearms and elbows. This will allow your Crown to come slightly hover off the mat/ground.

• Inhale, tuck your toes and  lift your knees.

• Exhale straighten your legs in Dolphin Pose. (Continue to press firmly through your arms, keeping weight off your Crown)

•  Draw your shoulder blades away from your ears. 

• When you're ready, begin to walk your feet toward your head until your hips are above your shoulders.

• Bend your knees and use your core to slowly lift one or both your legs off the floor towards the sky. 

• Keep knees bent and close to the chest as your core guides you into alignment.

• Slowly straighten your legs, one at a time or together, until they are directly above your shoulders, reaching your legs toward the sky.

• Find your balance here and keep your ankles stacked over your head.

• Hug your thighs together as you straighten your legs. Lift and lengthen through all sides of your torso as you continue to press the forearms into the mat/ground.

• Stay up as long as you feel comfortable and strong. (At any point you feel increased pressure on your head and or  neck, immediately come out of the pose mindfully!!!) Use your abdominal strength to slowly lower your legs while continuing to press down through your forearms. 

• Take your time as you slowly bring your feet back to the mat from which you came. Dolphin Pose…making your way into Child’s Pose and breathing here for several breaths before slowly coming back up.

Affirmation: Love and light flow through me effortlessly healing my body, mind, and spirit.

Essential Oil: Ravensara

Stone or Crystal: Howlite

Yoga to Embody Awareness and Wisdom:

Yoga is an incredible practice to embody Awareness & Wisdom. Come back to these Sahasrara~Crown Chakra yoga poses to help you tap into your inner wisdom. When open and flowing in balance guide you into alignment with unity and transcendence of your true self~Higher self.. These poses are great supporters to become aware of your inner wisdom and connect with the awareness of life’s abundant flow on the mat.

May you have peace in the mind, strength in the body, and love within your heart…Namaste