The third eye is the sixth chakra, or energy zone in yoga philosophy. It is located in the center of the forehead, just above the brows, and represents originality, intuition, telepathy, dreaming and visualization, explains yoga instructor Barbara Kaplan Herring for Yoga Journal. People with a strong third eye are often said to be visionary; if your third eye is out of balance or overstimulated you may suffer headaches, memory problems, eye problems, hallucinations, nightmares and difficulty concentrating. Honing this chakra through specific exercise can enhance your artistic vision, improve your ability to connect to others and help you break through a creative blockage.
Forward Bends
Seated poses that involve leaning forward and placing your forehead on the ground or a bolster or blanket can stimulate the third eye. Try yoga poses like single-leg seated forward fold, wide angle seated forward fold, seated forward fold and child's pose. Press your head toward the floor firmly in the poses to bring awareness to the third eye.
Visualizations
While in a relaxing posture--such as seated lotus pose or savasana--creating positive images with your mind improves the health of the third eye. Barbara Kaplan Herring notes that these affirmations can come to life if you focus on them enough--acting as "natural magnets" for positive experiences to truly occur. For example, if you have an upcoming interview for an important job--visualize the interview going well. The affirmation can help it come to life.
Meditation
Meditating with an emphasis on the third eye is an effective way of balancing its energy, explains the Anmol Mehta website. Sit on your shins or in a cross-legged position and extend your arms out to at a 60-degree angle. Focus all your attention on the center of your forehead. Breathe in short bursts of air for 16 counts and then exhale in short brief bursts for 16 counts. Visualize a tiny hammer tapping the center of your forehead as you perform each of the short breaths. This mediation can be performed from one to 31 minutes; work your way up over time.
