Yoga is perhaps one of the world’s longest-observed practices, with roots dating back thousands of years. Even today, yoga remains incredibly relevant and has perhaps become even more popular than ever before.
More and more people are turning to the benefits of yoga to help improve their physical and mental health every day, and the practice is certainly showing no signs of slowing.
Yoga can help your body to become more flexible, while also helping you to clear your mind, to focus on the things that really matter, and bring a sense of internal peace.
As well as this, when observed alongside the principles of the body’s chakras, yoga can also be used to help the spirit. Numerous poses can help to open up and align your seven chakras, which helps you to attain a much greater sense of control over your spirituality.
But how do you implement chakras into your yoga regimen? What are some of the best poses to observe for the benefit of your chakras? Join us down below to find out now!
1. Revolved Triangle Pose – Sacral Chakra
The revolved triangle pose is one that involves a little more flexibility, so be sure to take it very slowly when taking up the pose, and slowly work towards it.
If you cannot reach your hand all the way to the ground, don’t worry, as you can easily use a prop instead to elevate your position just above the ground.
The revolved triangle pose is great for realigning the Sacral Chakra, which is found near the pelvis. This is the chakra that encourages creativity, emotionality, and pleasure. When this chakra is ignored for long periods, it can lead to feelings of sexual frustration and emotional repression!
In order to take on this pose, you will want to start by taking up a pyramid pose, and place your right foot forward. Take your left hand and place it on the floor beside your right foot, or on the small prop you placed beside your right foot.
Move your free hand and twist your torso to the right, while trying to keep your hips aligned. Feel free to lift your free hand to the sky, for a much cleaner pose. Make sure to keep control over your breath in this pose, so that your spine does not become strained while you twist.
Hold the pose for a few breaths, imagining your chakra healing, before returning to the pyramid pose, and then performing the pose on the other side.
2. Mountain Pose – Root Chakra
The Root chakra is perhaps one of the most important of the seven chakras, which makes this a totally essential pose to implement in your yoga practice.
The Root chakra is found towards the base of the spine, and as its name suggests, it is most responsible for grounding the spirit in the physical world, by absorbing energy from the Earth, which helps our bodies to feel more connected to nature.
This helps us to feel more secure, and like we belong in the world around us.
This pose roots us firmly on the ground, as you start by taking to your feet, with both feet slightly separated. When you are standing firmly, focus on the Root chakra, relax your shoulders, and straighten your back and neck.
Focus on slowing your breath, and take note of the sensation of your feet touching the ground. Allow yourself to feel the energy from the earth, while also feeling the connection your head has with the sky above. Make sure to visualize your root chakra opening up.
This pose can be heightened even more by observing it in your backyard if you have the space!
3. Boat Pose – The Solar Plexus Chakra
This particular chakra is special because it helps us to draw upon the energy of the sun to fire up our spirits and provide us with plenty of energy to get through each day.
The chakra is found towards the navel and is one of the most essential chakra. Neglecting this chakra can lead to low self-esteem and significantly heightened stress.
The boat pose helps to place the focus on the naval, which helps it to recharge and regain its energy. To take the pose, you will want to lay down a comfortable yoga mat, and then sit down on it, with your knees bent, and your feet flat.
From there, place your hands just behind your hips, and then lift your chest and straighten the spine. This should lift your feet up, and have you placing much of your weight on your bottom.
Visualize your core, and visualize the yellow light shining out from your chakra. We recommend holding the pose for around 15 to 30 seconds, focusing on your breath as you go, but take it slow to start with if you need it!
4. Chanting Pose – Throat Chakra
In order to engage this chakra, you will want to use your voice as you hold your pose. The throat chakra allows us to be confident and to speak the truth at all times.
When our throat chakras are neglected, we can often experience problems with the ears and throat, and find our authentic selves compromised.
To realign your throat chakra, sit on the floor with your legs crossed, and your hands relaxed in the Gyan Mudra position. Once seated, inhale, and straighten your spine. Allow your shoulders to drop and relax as you exhale.
Crane your neck so that your chin lightly touches your chest, which allows your throat to be stimulated. Once in position, chat “Humee Hum Brahm Hum”, a mantra that helps to clear your throat chakra. Visualize your chakra filling with blue light as you go.
Try to keep chanting for around 3 to 11 minutes. Don’t worry about being embarrassed by the chant, as the benefits of the chant can be felt right away!
5. Dolphin Pose – Third Eye Chakra
The Third eye chakra is one of the highest chakras in the body, and allows us to have a great sense of internal intuition. When the chakra is not working correctly, we can actually become very susceptible to headaches and migraines!
The dolphin pose helps to promote blood flow to the face, which in turn helps to stimulate this chakra. To take on this pose, lay down on your mat, and take up the downward-facing-dog pose, with your forearms resting on the ground.
Touch your palms together, while keeping your elbows in place, and then rock forward until your chin sits just short of your thumbs.
You should be able to visualize energy flowing from your third eye to your thumbs as the blood flows to the face!
6. Low Lunge – Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is responsible for feelings of compassion and generosity, and allows us to feel loved and connected to others. When the heart chakra is misaligned, we can feel unconnected from others, and find it difficult to let others into our lives.
The low lunge is a pose that leaves the heart vulnerable, helping to open the heart chakra up.
Start in the downward-facing-dog position, and then step forward with your right foot, between your hands. Keep the left knee towards the ground. Keep your hips square, and then carefully place more weight on the right foot, so that you can stretch your hip forward and lean your spine back.
Reach for the sky with your right hand, and stretch out your back, which should make inhaling and exhaling much easier. Visualize the heart chakra filling with green light.
7. Balancing Butterfly – Crown Chakra
The very highest chakra is the crown chakra, and this is the chakra that is responsible for trust and inspiration. It is what allows energy to enter into our bodies, and allows us to feel better connected to the world around us.
Of course, when the chakra is misaligned, we may find ourselves feeling disconnected from the world, which can have mental health drawbacks!
To take on the balancing butterfly pose, which focuses on the crown, kneel on your mat, and tuck your toes behind you. Slowly lift your knees up, so that you are perched on the balls of your feet while keeping your heels together.
Open up your knees as much as you can, and once you have a good sense of balance, bring your hands toward your heart.
This pose may tire you out quickly, so make sure to control your breathing as you go, and pace yourself. As you hold the pose, be sure to visualize the chakra opening up, and filling with golden-white light!
To Wrap Up
There you have it! If you are finding any of your seven chakras being misaligned over the course of your hectic day-to-day life, then why not try out one of these excellent poses?
Some of them are a little easier than others, so be sure to take it slowly and pace yourself, so you don’t become totally overwhelmed.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
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