California Mid-State Fair Series PART II: Yoga Movement for the Fair - THIRD EYE & CROWN CHAKRA

Part II of  THIRD EYE AND CROWN CHAKRA: Asana

Today is a day to recover from all the fair activity, though we hope you stayed nice and balanced feeling following our blog suggestions over the past couple weeks!

We recommend coming in for some PALO SANTO sticks or incense to help you feel grounded and calm after your fair experience.  PALO SANTO is a great scent for meditation, which is our asana focus today.

There are two asana/postures that are particularly supportive of a meditation practice.

Vajrasana, or "Thunderbolt Pose", and Ardha Padmasana, or "Half Lotus Pose".

Vajrasana - Thunderbolt Pose

Kneel to the floor with the toes and knees touching, gently sitting on your heels. Let the tops of the toes lay flat on the floor, ideally all ten toes are supported and can relax to spread.  Keeping the big toes touching, open the knees apart about as wide as your fist (4 inches). Hands go to the knees with straight arms.  Let the tail bone drop toward the floor as the crown of the head lengthens upward.  Use a cushion underneath your tail if the knees feel too stretched here.

 

Sit cross legged, "Indian style".  Using your hands, bring one foot up to rest on the opposing upper thigh, or wherever it will rest comfortably on your leg.  Like the last posture, let the tail bone drop toward the floor while the crown of the head lengthens upward.  Shoulder blades sink down the back as the heart opens toward the front of the room.  There are different hand positions, or mudras, that can be used in this posture.  Use your own inner compass to decide if you'd like to have your hands palms down on your knees, palms up, or a combination of the two.

The traditional mudra for the third eye chakra looks almost like a heart, with only the middle fingers extending, and the other three knuckles pressed together while the thumb pads press against each other,  like this:

The traditional mudra for the crown chakra looks like this:

There are many great guided mediation resources online if you're not sure where to start.  Let your breath be your guide.

Interested in a mediation group or class here at EarthTones?  Make sure we know!

California Mid-State Fair Series: Chakra Wisdom. DAY 6 - THIRD EYE CHAKRA

(A continuation of our blog series on Chakra Wisdom during the Mid-State Fair, with associated yoga postures -asana- to follow).

Downward dog illuminates the Third Eye and presents a balance among front and back components of the glands within the brain. Practice today Adho Mukha Svasana after a gentle warm up of shoulders, limbs and chest. Plan for your position and place one or two stacked blocks on the floor beneath where your chin would be. As you go into the pose and grow into it attempt to gently tilt your forehead to the block.

DAY 6 - THIRD EYE CHAKRA

- Go Indigo.-

The energy center of our Third Eye is located in the brain, between the eyebrows and maybe up a smidge, depending on how your eyebrows are situated.  As the name suggests, this chakra is associated with sight in both the literal and metaphorical sense.  This is one of the chakras that is most activated during prayer, visioning, or mediation. 

Monday, after the first fair weekend; how'd you do?

Today would be a great day to practice a little mediation or mindfulness before you head to the fair - or, pick a shady spot and practice there!

We'll give more mediation instruction over the next weekend, but until then:

Find a sprig of JASMINE!
Do you have a candle or perfume with jasmine if you can't find a plant nearby?

We will be on the lookout for a jasmine vine located at the fairgrounds to stand under and breathe.

The scent of jasmine is uplifting and gently stimulating, which are great attributes for starting a new week.  The purple stone SUGILITE is a pleasure to the eyes, but is also know for easing physical discomforts and headache.  For those that may have over-indulged at the fairgrounds, this stone might be nice to have in your pocket as you recalibrate.

Fair Activities Today:

Give your eyes a fun treat by checking out the creations at

 SEW FUN starting at noon in the Frontier Pavilion. 

Have kids with you?

At 2pm in the Ponderosa Pavilion there is VEGGIE ART!

Kids turn colorful fruits and veggies into playful objects of art.

At 4pm you can be marveled by SOMETHING RIDICULOUS JUGGLERS

on the Headliner Stage.

- and finally -

Local blues band CODE BLUES is playing at the Mission Square, 7pm.

To bring it back to the INDIGO color associated with the THIRD EYE CHAKRA,

blues music sounds about right.

ENJOY!