Crown chakra is located at the top of the head. It is the closest chakra to pure consciousness. It is the seat of spiritual awakening. The word that represents it best is “connection”. Connection to all living things, ourselves, and to the universal life force energy. When open and in balance, we may feel gratitude, ecstasy, and a sense of purpose in life. Here we present specific yoga poses, mantras, mudras, meditation, food, oils, and crystals to help you open and balance your crown chakra.
Table of Contents
1.0 What is the Crown Chakra?
2.0 The Chakra System History and Overview
3.0 The Science Behind Chakras
4.0 Chakra Science, the Endocrine System, and The Parasympathetic Nervous System
5.0 How to Know if Your Crown Chakra is Blocked
6.0 Create a Foundation BEFORE Opening the Crown Chakra
7.0 10 Ways To Open the Crown Chakra
7.1 Yoga – Poses that Stimulate Crown Chakra
7.2 AUM Chanting
7.3 Affirmations
7.4 Crown Chakra Meditations
7.5 Crown Chakra Mudras
7.6 Diet
7.7 Oils
7.8 Crystals
7.9 Reconnect with Nature
7.10 Enjoy the Journey Blissfully
8.0 Conclusion
9.0 Sources
1.0 What is the Crown Chakra?
Located at the very top of the head, the crown chakra is the last of the seven chakras. In Sanskrit, the crown chakra is “Sahaswara”. This translates to “the thousand petal lotus.” The lotus flower opening in general represents spiritual awakening and enlightenment. And the large number of petals refers to the crown as the chakra closest to pure consciousness.
We can best understand and represent the crown chakra by the word “connection”. When activated and unblocked, spiritual energy will flow through and connect us to all living things, ourselves, and to the universal life force energy referred to as Prana by those who study and practice Yoga. It also has a deep connection with feelings of gratitude and ecstasy, fulfillment and a sense of purpose in life. This guide will show you 10 ways to open your crown chakra. Just like the crown chakra, they all connect and it’s best to do them together!
However, before we jump into the crown chakra and how to open it, we must briefly explain the basics of the chakra system. Also, let’s look into the science behind it, and signs of a blocked crown chakra.
2.0 The Chakra System History and Overview
We wrote in greater detail about the chakra system in our guide for beginners.
The chakra system is thousands of years old. This belief system dates back from ancient India between 500 – 1500 B.C.E. in the early traditions of Hinduism. And people still practice it widely throughout the world today. The word chakra means “disc” or “wheel” in ancient Sanskrit. And there are seven major chakras in the body. They are energy points and “spinning energetic wheels” for energy to flow throughout the body.
The name of this energy in Hindu and yoga traditions is prana. However, throughout history and especially in various Eastern cultures, it is representative of the universal life energy or life force. It has many names such as “chi” in China, “ki” in Japan, and “mana” in Polynesia.
3.0 The Science Behind Chakras
The energy known as “prana” is considered a form of “subtle energy”. The chakra system is not an exact science. However, it does fall under a relatively new and emerging science within the branch of Complementary and Alternative Medicine within the National Health Institute known as Energy Medicine.
Some forms of “energy healing” may fall under the category of pseudoscience. But there are also proven treatments in this category, such as biofield therapies. They have helped reduce feelings of fatigue and even showed lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). The research results have significantly exceeded control groups and the placebo effect cannot explain them away.
We wrote more about biofield therapies here. Take a look to understand the science behind it and if it can benefit your healing process.
We have discussed the science behind chakras in detail HERE. So, we will only give a brief summary in this post. We do this to try our best to demystify the chakra system while still honoring the ancient beliefs and traditions of practicing Yogis and the associated religions of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Chakras and the Glands
We are discovering that the ancient Hindus Yogi’s were in fact on to something when we compare the chakra system to human anatomy and biology in modern medicine today. For example, each of the seven chakras is associated with one or more major glands in our endocrine system. And these glands secrete important hormones into our bloodstream. In fact, although not perfect, the glands line up pretty closely to each chakra. (Go here to learn more about how chakra system relates to the endocrine system.)
The root chakra is associated with the adrenal gland.
The sacral chakra – ovaries or testicles.
The solar plexus chakra – pancreas.
The heart chakra – thymus.
The throat chakra – thyroid gland.
The third eye chakra – pineal and/or pituitary gland.
The crown chakra – pineal and/or pituitary gland.
4.0 Chakra Science, the Endocrine System, and The Parasympathetic Nervous System
The regulation of hormones is crucial for our health. And our endocrine system is intricately linked to our nervous system, and specifically our parasympathetic nervous system, which largely deals with rest and digestion.
Once again, many of the bundles of nerves within the parasympathetic nervous system, known as plexuses, also line up fairly accurately to both the associated endocrine glands and chakras!
From a scientific standpoint, we can compare the “opening” of a chakra to stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to help better promote the main function of this system – resting and digesting.
Through Yoga, you can strengthen and increase flexibility to your core, abdominal muscles and stomach area. This helps DIGESTION. And meditations and breathing exercises serve to slow the breath down and create mindfulness which will help with REST.
Similar to Yoga, the practices, habits and techniques we have outlined in this post will stimulate the resting and digesting function of the parasympathetic nervous system. And also help open your crown chakra at the same time!
5.0 How to Know if Your Crown Chakra is Blocked
Like all chakras, the signs of a blocked crown chakra will be both physical and emotional. We use the word “open” when we are referring to the crown or any chakra. But we are most concerned with balancing the chakra in harmony with the entire system. Chakras can be either under active. In that case there is not enough energy flowing through it. Or they can be overactive, which means there is too much energy. There are significant differences between an overactive and under active chakra, and we will separate them for further clarification.
Signs of overactive crown chakra may include:
- Feeling disassociated from body
- Obsession or addiction to spirituality
- Overly intellectual or intelligent thoughts, words and actions
- Criticism and judgment of the spirituality of others
- Overly trusting of the universe
Signs of under active crown chakra may include:
- Lacking belief in a higher power
- Lacking trust in the universe
- Feeling isolated, separated, or disconnected in general
- Having trouble connecting with a higher self or higher levels of consciousness
- Having experiences with learning or forgetfulness
6.0 Create a Foundation BEFORE Opening the Crown Chakra
Before we can open the crown chakra, we must understand that the chakra system works as a network. So, there must be balance throughout the entire system. If one chakra is blocked, for example, another chakra may become overactive in order to compensate. One could argue that since it is the last and highest chakra, the crown chakra may be the most important in keeping all others open and connected. However, it is still a two way street. We must create as much balance as possible in all lower six chakras first.
Since the crown chakra is the 7th chakra and represents spiritual communication and connection, it is logical that for best balance, we must special attention on the 1st chakra/root chakra. After all, the root chakra governs our connection to the physical world and grounds us.
Check our other guide here for tips, practices, and techniques for unblocking all chakras HERE.
10 Ways To Open the Crown Chakra
There are several techniques, practices, exercises, and habits to successful open the crown chakra such as specific yoga poses, meditations, chants, affirmations, mudras changes in diet, associated oils and crystals, spending time in nature, and other positive lifestyle change habits. You should note that some of these techniques and exercises are useful for opening all chakras and are not crown chakra specific, while others such as crown chakra specific yoga poses, changes in diet, and uses of specific oils and crystals are directly related to balancing, activating and opening the crown chakra.
Yoga – Poses that Stimulate Crown Chakra
There are multiple Yoga poses that will help open and activate your crown chakra. In many cases, the poses that work best are either those which increase blow flood to the head, focus on physically touching the head with hands, and/or focus on mindful and still poses which forces you to be present and get you out of your head from overthinking.
Check this article to learn how yoga and meditation affect your brain waves and the science behind them that explains how they help you calm down.
Sirasana/Headstand
The headstand is amongst the best poses for increasing blood flood to the head and opening up the crown chakra. This pose is difficult for beginners, and requires strong core muscles and balance to execute properly. The goal is to breathe as normally as possible, with slow deep breaths, to slow down breathing with increasing blood flood downwards to the head and brain which will decrease stress, strengthen the shoulders, arms, and neck, and improve circulation.
Rabbit Pose
The Rabbit pose has many of the same benefits as the headstand but without full inversion or necessary core muscles and balance. Simply grab your heels with your hands while on your knees and pull your forehead towards your knees while lifting your hips up towards the ceiling. Next, roll on to the crown of the head so that your forehead is close to your knees. This posture will also increase blood flood to the top of the head and improve circulation, and the direct physical contact along with a mindful and calm practice will help open the crown chakra.
Savasana
Savasana, also known as the corpse pose, may seem easy to learn, but it is difficult to truly master the art of a still and calm mind! The pose is physically simple in that all it requires is to rest your body on the floor and extend both your arms and legs as evenly and symmetrically as possible. However, the pose is difficult to master as it requires you to focus on relaxing and releasing each body part and muscle, one by one, and to be both present and mindful.
Additionally, you will notice your breath as you focus on each muscle. By calming the mind and being as still as possible, you will practice the skill of letting go of your anxieties, stresses, judgments, expectations, or desires. This is one of the most mental and meditative poses in yoga. And the art of being truly relaxed and present is especially relevant for those “stuck in their head”.
7.2 AUM Chanting
The AUM (or pronounced “om”) chant is also helpful and effective technique for opening your crown chakra. This chant or mantra is said to be the natural sound of the universe, and that the three syllables of A, U, and M represent the beginning, middle, and end. While seated comfortably, break down the Om syllable by syllable—a-ā-u-ū-m-(ng) followed by a brief silent pause.
You must speak and listen clearly, attentively, and intentionally. When done correctly, you will hear and feel the vibrations reverberate through your entire spine from your root chakra to the crown and it is an excellent way to begin and end a yoga session or meditation. It is said to represent all four stages of consciousness including deep sleep, dreaming, wakefulness, and bliss. Although helpful for the opening all chakras, the sound of AUM chant is representative of the universe, the totality of time, and also represents spiritual connectivity and accessing a higher consciousness that are all specific to the crown chakra.
7.3 Affirmations
Affirmations are essentially positive phrases that we speak out loud to change the way we speak to ourselves and will rewire our brains over time and increase our self-image, mood, and behavior. While effective for opening all chakras, there are specific affirmations we can use for the crown chakra. As mentioned earlier in signs of a blocked crown chakra, there is generally a spiritual imbalance, where in many cases you are overthinking and “can’t get out of your head” and lack connection to higher consciousness, higher self awareness, and your spiritual side.
Here are some positive affirmations to help open your crown chakra. I:
- am grateful for everything I have and have been given, especially my loved ones
- am open and worthy of receiving divine knowledge and energy
- trust my intuition
- am one with the universe
- love myself and accept myself as I am
- am selfless
- live in the present moment
7.4 Crown Chakra Meditations
There are multiple meditations to open the crown chakra. But the most effective include a combination of visualizations, chanting, and affirmations that include connection to the universe, gratitude, oneness and accessing a higher level of consciousness.
This meditation will take about 15 minutes. By sitting in a comfortable meditative pose with legs crossed, rest your hands in your lap with palms upward. Close your eyes and slow down your breath. Next, visualize the symbol associated with the crown chakra, lotus flower with a thousand petals, at the top of your head. Continue visualizing the lotus and now imagine the petals opening slowly and gently to reveal a divine and intense bright light. Let this light flow through the crown chakra like a wave and flow through the body.
Repeat the affirmations above. Also, you can create one with a similar focus on reconnection to your divine spirituality and higher levels of consciousness throughout this process. As you meditate, continue to deeply visualize and notice a perception of warmth, oneness, and peace as this light spirals down throughout the body and as you feel connected to pure consciousness and communion with the cosmos.
7.5 Crown Chakra Mudras
We use mudras in yoga as symbolic gestures with the hands and fingers to help increase the flow of subtle energy to the body. The word “mudra” means “gesture,” “mark, “or “seal” in ancient Sanskirt. You can think of them as yoga poses for the hands and fingers! And just like full body yoga poses, they can help open up chakras. They are also easy to try for beginners. One of the most effective mudras for opening the crown chakra is the “mudra of a thousand petals.”
Sit comfortably and in silence. Simply form a pyramid shape with your fingers by using both hands and touching together your index fingers and thumbs. Keep your other fingers straight, and place this mudra six inches above the top of your head. Practice this mudra for up to five minutes at a time to help open up your crown chakra.
7.6 Diet
Unlike all other chakras, the crown chakra is unique. While the opening of other chakras usually includes a specific diet and often contain color specific fruits and vegetables, the crown chakra actually works best while fasting. After 48 hours of fasting, the body begins the process of autophagy which will allows the body to clean itself at a CELLULAR level. When in a fasted state, it will begin an accelerated process of detoxifying the body while at the same time increasing mental clarity and awareness. However, there are some helpful incense herbs that are associated with the crown chakra such as frankincense, myrrh, sage, and copal that can compliment your fast and help open your crown chakra.
7.7 Oils
Essential oils that are associated with each chakra help them open and the crown chakra also has specific oils that are best complimented with many other practices and techniques, such as diet, oils and yoga poses. Diffuse the room with oils that promote relaxation, restful sleep, calm, peace, and spiritual connection. Examples of essential oils to help open and balance the crown chakra are spicy sweet lavandin to unblock chakra, neroli or vanilla to calm overactive, and frankincense to maintain healthy functioning.
7.8 Crystals
Healing crystals can be worn throughout the day or while meditating to help open chakras and are often connected to chakras by matching colors. The crown chakra is associated with the divine and the universe itself, and the colors associated with it are usually white, clear or purple. Look for crystals such as clear quartz, diamond, amethyst, moonstone, and selenite. To help open the crown chakra, place a small crystal on the top of your head while lying down and meditating.
7.9 Reconnect with Nature
An open crown chakra is associated with higher consciousness, enlightenment, and above all, a spiritual connection with all living things around you, including yourself. One of the best ways to increase this connection with living things is to explore and engage with nature and be outside on a regular basis.
Rediscover activities in nature you previously enjoyed or try something new like rock climbing, canoeing/kayaking, swimming, hiking or just a simple walk in the forest or nature trail nearby. As discussed, one of the main reasons the crown chakra becomes blocked are from feeling constant stress and anxiety, a lack of purpose, and disconnection from the body and spirit. In many cases, this disconnect is due to overthinking in our logical and rational minds, as well as negative self-talk associated with those thoughts. Similar to many of the other techniques and practices listed here, reconnecting with nature slows down the mind and is backed by science.
Harvard Men’s Health Watch Explains, “Research in a growing scientific field called ecotherapy has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
It’s not clear exactly why outdoor excursions have such a positive mental effect. Yet, in a 2015 study, researchers compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes in either a natural setting or an urban one.
They found that those who did a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination — defined as repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions.”
7.10 Enjoy the Journey Blissfully
Another characteristic found in an opened crown chakra is the feeling of bliss or ecstasy that is associated with pure consciousness and feeling highly connected and a sense of “oneness” with nature and all living beings. A big part of “oneness” is being able to let go of your ego and go beyond it to see, and more importantly, feel, that divine connection. We must look at the opening of all chakras, and especially the crown chakra, as a spiritual journey and process that is meant to be enjoyed. All techniques on this list must be practiced with a positive mindset and from a place of trust, faith, and love. Do what inspires you. Do what energizes you. And above all, do what sets your soul on fire.
8.0 Conclusion
The crown chakra is said to be the chakra that connects directly to the divine light of pure consciousness. It is the very source of spiritual connection and allows us to see past the ego and connect with our highest self as well as all living things. Our hectic busy schedules and modern lifestyles have caused so many of us to suffer from endless stress, anxiety, and overthinking which can contribute greatly to a blocked crown chakra and make us feel a without purpose, joy, and disconnected.
However, despite these cultural and environmental challenges, our list can help you open your crown chakra and provides helpful techniques and practices that can help us access higher consciousness, enlightenment, bliss, and a spiritual connection to all things.
9.0 Sources
https://blog.mindvalley.com/crown-chakra/
https://yogisurprise.com/simple-ways-to-open-your-crown-chakra/
https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/mastering-om/
https://www.verywellfit.com/the-meaning-of-om-3566806
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/meditating-with-the-crown-chakra
https://www.lovingessentialoils.com/blogs/essential-oil-tips/crown-chakra-essential-oils
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/meditating-with-the-crown-chakra
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/the-real-science-behind-chakras
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/how-to-unblock-each-chakra
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/yoga-science-thinking-feelingly
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/the-human-biofield-science-measurement-and-therapies
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/10-ways-to-open-your-third-eye-chakra
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/chakyra-science-the-endocrine-system
https://laquilaactive.com/blogs/news/yoga-lord-shiva-and-the-ego
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
Learn more about Shanti by reading her bio below.
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