From Karma Gaia:
Balancing The Third Eye
Your third eye chakra is known by the Sanskrit term Ajna. It is a spot on your brow between your eyes and is connected to intuition, insight, and inspiration. We have a profound grasp of both our inner and outside worlds when ajna is in harmony.
While our physical eyes are associated with the past and the present experience as it unfolds, it’s said that ajna looks to the future. We can envision our next moves with confidence and clarity when we are not distracted by uncertainty and confusion.
Most often, when our ajna is underactive, we lose touch with our own inner wisdom. The good news is that you can do a lot to help ajna grow, thrive, and be in balance.
1. Using a Bija Mantra
The ajna's bija mantra, or seed syllable, is "om" or "aum." The best technique to connect with your insight and intuition is to chant om while closing your eyes and concentrating on the brow point. Setting your purpose can be especially effective in the morning or at the beginning of an ajna-centered yoga practise.
2. Working with Hakini Mudra
The hakini mudra is connected to ajna and is believed to encourage awareness and focus, which improve insight and intuition. When reflecting intently, many people will naturally adopt this mudra; perhaps they sense its value in aiding in the connection with knowledge and insight.
3. Ajna Balancing Asanas
The stance most frequently connected with ajna is Asanas Balasana, also known as the child's pose. There are two basic causes for this. First, the forehead can touch the mat to physically ground and link the brow point to earth.
This area can benefit from additional massage provided by gently swaying the head from side to side. Secondly, child’s pose is a gentle and supported forward fold. Forward folds can aid in fostering self-reflection and research.
Uttanasana (standing forward fold) and prasarita padottanasana (wide-legged standing forward fold) are other front folds that can aid in balancing ajna. A block or bolster positioned beneath the forehead will increase stimulation.
4. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
Nadi shodhana pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing, is already well-known for its balancing properties as a separate practise. This variation can improve its impact on ajna:
To keep your attention on ajna, place your right hand's index and middle fingers on the brow point.
Using your right thumb to cover your right nostril, take a four-count breath through your left nostril.
Exhale for four counts via the right nostril while closing the left nostril with the left ring finger.
For a count of four, inhale through your right nostril while keeping your left nostril shut.
Thumb-shut the right nostril, then open the left and exhale for four counts.
For several minutes, repeat steps 2 through 5, possibly extending the count to 6 or 8 to further relax and centre the mind.
After you've finished the breathing exercise, give yourself a minute to settle back into your regular breathing pattern and focus your awareness on the moment.
From Karma Gaia
Rewire Your Mind: 5 CBT Techniques That Can Transform Your Life in a Week
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is all about training your brain to think and act in ways that support better mental health. By making small, intentional shifts in how you process thoughts and feelings, you can notice big changes—sometimes in just seven days. Below are five tried-and-tested CBT techniques you can start practicing right now.
Thought Records
One of the cornerstones of CBT is learning to catch and challenge negative thoughts. Start by jotting down your unhelpful thoughts (e.g., “I always mess up”). Then, look for evidence for and against these thoughts. Often, you’ll find the negative assumption is exaggerated or untrue, which helps you see situations more clearly.
Cognitive Restructuring
Once you’ve spotted a negative thought pattern, the next step is to replace it with a more balanced perspective. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,” reframe it to: “I have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else, and I can improve by practicing.” This switch may feel awkward at first but gets easier with repetition.
Behavioral Activation
Feeling stuck or unmotivated? Identify small, enjoyable tasks you can add to your day—like taking a 10-minute walk, cooking a favorite meal, or texting a friend. This simple strategy breaks the cycle of low mood and inactivity by reintroducing pleasure and purpose into your routine.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Stress can cause physical tension without you even realizing it. Take a few minutes each day to systematically tense and then relax different muscle groups—from your toes up to your shoulders. This reduces tension and trains your body to respond to stress in a calmer way.
Goal-Focused Planning
Pick a small goal—one that can be achieved in a week—to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. Write down clear, measurable steps to reach it. As you check off each step, you’ll build self-confidence and gather evidence that you can handle challenges more effectively than you might think.
By practicing these five CBT techniques daily, you’ll develop a more resilient mindset. Remember that progress often starts with small but consistent steps. In just a week, you could be looking at life with a healthier, more empowering perspective.