Concentration and Sleep

​As we continue our exploration of the endocrine system (hormones) through the chakras, we reach the third eye chakra, called Ajña Chakra in Sanskrit. It is located between and slightly above the eyebrows, and it physically lines up with the pineal gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain. Now this is interesting: the pineal gland secretes melatonin which helps regulate sleep cycles and one of the spiritual functions of the third eye chakra is to help us wake up from our mental sleep. It’s fun to consider how they work together!

People can really get stuck in third eye energy. Sometimes there is too much energy here which can result in being too much in the head, too intellectual and even impractical. For others, there is not enough energy here which makes it hard to see the big picture, hard to concentrate and lacking imagination of what is possible.

Fortunately, there are some powerful yoga practices that can help us balance this energy so that we benefit from healthy concentration and intuition as well as regulated sleep cycles.

• Alternate nostril breathing is effective because two powerful energy lines meet at the third eye. By breathing in through one nostril and breathing out through the other, alternating side-to-side, you encourage these two energy lines to work together to clear the mind and calm the body. It’s easy to do: 
-Sit with a lengthened spine, either on the floor or in a chair with feet on the floor. 
-In both hands, fold in the ring and pinky fingers and hold them down with the thumbs. 
-Use the extended index and middle fingers to gently close the nostrils one at a time. 
-To begin, inhale through both nostrils, close the right nostril with the right fingers, breathe out through the left nostril. Breathe in through the left nostril. 
-Change the hands so that now you are closing the left nostril with the left fingers to breathe out through the right nostril. Breathe in through the right nostril. 
-Continue to breathe this way for 5-10 minutes. As you become more adept at the practice, you can turn your eyes slightly upward to gaze at your third eye.

• Poses that place your forehead on or near the floor or a block, such as child pose or resting crocodile pose.

• Keeping the hands near the level of the forehead in standing poses like Tree, Eagle, Warrior 1, Warrior 2 and Triangle.

• Meditation on the third eye, either by visualizing the OM symbol at the forehead or imagining you could breathe in through the top of the head and breathe out through the third eye.

• Chant the mantra OM for 10 minutes. Sit in the silence and feel its vibration for another few minutes.