Golden Light Meditation. A simple check-in with each chakra beginning with the Root and ending at the Crown. Giving thanks to ourselves for the work we've done so far.
This week, I chose soft poses that encourage surrender.
1. Child's pose. It is really difficult not to still the mind in child's pose. When you practice child's pose this week, gently remind yourself to let go, give in to grace.
2. Savasana. Yes! I am instructing you to lay around! This is a pose of total relaxation, letting gravity connect you to the earth, allowing tension to fall away.
3. Lotus. Aside from physical benefits, lotus calms the mind and increases awareness. You can also do half lotus.
4. Standing Foward Bend. Another great one for letting go!
Breathing: The Breath of Union, (Alternate Nostril Breathing). This breathing technique integrates the energy of the left and right brain, and activates the pineal gland. It's both stimulating and relaxing, and helps prime the mind/body for meditation.
*The ego is a sneaky bugger. It is always looking for new ways to crop up. And it feeds on insecurity. To help dissipate the ego, work on self-acceptance. The more we fully own who we are...the more we accept ourselves as is, flaws and all...we create conditions in which the ego can not thrive. As we build a resilient, positive relationship with ourselves, we gain freedom from the incessant games of the ego!
Divinity. We can all agree that regardless of religious beliefs, there is an energy source beyond us that feeds us. The Crown Chakra is our portal to this infinite prana (life-force energy). What is Divinity to you? Do you feel connected to a higher consciousness? If so, how do you nurture that connection? If not, do you wish you felt more connected? What do you think holds you back?
Altruism is essential to the vitality of the crown chakra. Extending kindness just to be kind helps us feel connected to the whole. By practicing Seva, the spiritual practice of selfless service, the separateness we often & easily slip into alleviates. We step out of our monkey-minds and into compassion, grace, and generosity. This week, find a way to uplift, help, or support someone else, without giving any thought to what you might receive in return. If you'd like to, journal about this experience. If you already do this regularly, how has the practice of giving selflessly impacted you?
Self Care: Meditate! More than any other chakra, the crown thrives with regular meditation. Connect to nature. Fasting and detoxing are beneficial to this chakra, but I am not a dietitian, so instead I suggest supplementing your regular diet with purifying foods...you can eat lighter for a day, and sip on healing broths, herbal tea, juices. As always, drink plenty of hydrating liquids, and give yourself permission to rest.