Yogic Practices for Sahasrara Activation

Deemed a chakra by some and not by others, sahasrara, or seventh chakra, is the final point where the kundalini energy can manifest. Kundalini’s culmination here is the beginning of yogic enlightenment.

As Swami Satyananda Saraswati put it, “the power of the chakras does not reside in the chakras themselves, but in sahasrara. The chakras are only switches. All the potential lies is sahasrara.”

About sahasrara

Sahasrara is located at the top and center of the head and corresponds to the pituitary gland. Physical dysfunctions can manifest in the form of muscular, skeletal, or nervous system issues.

When kundalini reaches sahasrara, the yogi begins on the path of enlightenment. This is beyond what the logical mind can comprehend.

But for the sake of trying to understand sahasrara, it can be said that this point relates to spirituality, intuition, and a connection to the divine. When fully activated by kundalini, individual awareness fades away and the seer, seeing, and seen merge into one.

Try these yogic practices to activate sahasrara!

Activating asana

Supported Headstand pose

Sanskrit: Salamba Sirsasana

Step by step:

1. Begin kneeling with your legs folded underneath, toes curled under.
2. Clasp your upper arms just above your elbows, and then place your forearms on the floor in front of you. Keep your elbows exactly where they are but release your hands. Interlace your fingers.
3. Place the top of your head on the floor so that your hands are cradling the back of your head. Lift your hips and then walk your feet toward your head. Once your hips are over your shoulders, bring your knees into your chest, one at a time.
4. Slowly straighten your legs. Keep your feet together and relaxed.
5. Fix your gaze on the floor about a foot away. Stay here for 10 to 20 seconds, and then lower carefully, one leg at a time.
6. Rest in Child’s pose (Balasana).

Lotus pose

Sanskrit: Padmasana

Step by step:

1. Sit with your legs straight. Use your hands to carefully place your right foot on top of your left thigh; sole of the foot next to the pubic bone and facing the sky.
2. Bend your left leg and place your left foot on top of your right thigh; sole of the foot also next to the pubic bone and facing the sky.
3. Rest your hands on your knees in Jnana mudra, or psychic gesture of knowledge, palms down and thumbs and index fingers touching. Stay here for as long as it is comfortable.

Radiating pranayama

Shining Skull

Sanskrit: Kapalabhati pranayama

Step by step:

1. Get comfortable in a meditation posture, eyes closed. Take a couple of natural breaths.
2. Quickly and forcefully exhale through your nose by drawing your belly toward your spine. Keep your shoulders and upper body still, then allow your inhalation to happen effortlessly. Air will naturally flow back in through your nostrils.
3. Repeat this breath for 20 rounds.
4. Take a few natural breaths, then complete two more cycles of 20.

Internalizing mudra

Folded psychic attitude

Sanskrit: Pashinee mudra

Step by step:

1. Begin in Plow pose (Halasana).
2. Separate your feet about 12 inches apart.
3. Bend your knees and use them to gently squeeze your ears.
4. Wrap your arms around your legs and clasp your hands or forearms. Breathe slowly and deeply.
5. Stay here for as long as possible, then return to Plow pose. Follow with a backbend.

References:

• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 2008.
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Kundalini Tantra. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 1984.