Spring has finally arrived. The sun shines happily and the trees are blossoming. Ducklings are building their nests, just like the birds. There is movement in life, in the world. Preparations to sprout in full glory during spring and summer.
People are more cheerful, happy colors show up in clothing. Flowers are popping up and the grass is greener than ever. The world is alive and there are more smiles on faces. What is it that makes people smile more when the sun is out? What are the positive effects of sunlight? And what does this have to do with our endocrine system and Yoga?
The Pineal Gland is sensitive to Light
The endocrine system of our body consists of glands that produce and secrete hormones. It regulates the growth of the body, metabolism and more. The pineal gland is located at the back surface of the middle brain. It is one of the major glands of our endocrine system that secretes the hormone melatonin. The melatonin hormone is responsible for synchronizing our daily and seasonal changes. It is a gland that is sensitive to light. Notice that when it gets darker you have the tendency to feel sleepy. Like during the dark winter days it sometimes seems you do not wake up totally, whilst you have a full sunny day you are out and about until the sun starts setting. Sunlight that we receive already starting the early morning will decrease the amount of melatonin. This will make us function in a normal way throughout the whole day. That’s why people tend to get more depressed and sleepy during the dark winter days and they might use light therapy to ‘trick’ the pineal gland.
Sahastrara Chakra
The Sahastrara chakra is the most upper chakra out of the seven major chakras and is associated with the Pineal gland. A chakra (wheel) is a non-physical energy center in the body, which turns. The speed in which it turns shows the health of the chakra. A too fast spinning chakra can use too much energy as a too slow turning chakra can be under stimulated. Balance is the key here. When this chakra isn’t turning properly you are more receptive for depression, mental illnesses, confusion and skin problems. The area that this chakra is associated with is the top part of the head. If this chakra is working properly you will feel joy, bliss and are more conscious and aware of the world around you as well as your inner world. Some would not even refer to it as a chakra in the body. It ‘floats’ just above the head.
Sunny Days, Joyful People
Go outside and enjoy the sun. By now you might understand that sunlight helps to normalize our melatonin levels. Receive some sunlight also on the unprotected skin (not too long, as it is not good for sunburns etcetera). Sunscreens are good against burns, but also prevent the sun to penetrate the skin to be able to produce vitamin D. A lack of Vitamin D can result in depression, tiredness and lower muscle tone. So make sure you go outside every day and have at least 30 minutes of unprotected sun on you (if you are very perceptive to sunburn, take very well care of your skin!). The sunny days stimulate the Sahastrara chakra and the pineal gland that is perceptive to sunlight. Resulting in more smiles on faces.
Hatha Yoga and the Sahastrara Chakra (Pineal Gland)
Do you have the idea your pineal gland isn’t working properly? Or you would like to stimulate it? Then execute the headstand! The King of asanas (headstand) is the best to stimulate the pineal and other glands in the body. If you can, do the full expression of the pose, but if you are not able, start out with half headstand by only using one leg at the time. If you can, build up the time you stand on your head from one minute up to 5 minutes a day (even longer if you prefer). Do a child pose after the headstand to give the neck a rest and/or a camel pose as a counter pose.
Meditate
In meditation you can vibrate on the sound of the Sahastrara Chakra which is AUM. Visualize how the sound comes from your Muladhara (root chakra, located at the base of the spine) up to the top of the head and can expand from there. The sound AUM will help you with it. Lengthen the sound. It is almost like a vomiting sound and sensation, coming from bottom to top.
Decalcify the Pineal Gland
Fluoride products like tap water and toothpaste can harden your pineal gland, which is not good for the functioning of the gland. What you can do to decalcify this gland is:
- drink bottled water without fluoride
- use toothpaste without fluoride
- drink diluted organic apple cider vinegar
- eat more alkaline foods. For a list of these foods, click here.
The balancing Chakra
The Sahastrara chakra is the chakra where the ida and pingala nadi (moon and sun) come together. It is where Kundalini Shakti (mother goddess) and Shiva (God) meet up. Where immortality is reached when Kundalini is raised as the illusion of the ego is dissolved. It is said that when we enter the body we enter through this point and when we die we leave from this point as well. It is a point of balance between Yin and Yang, birth and death, light and dark.
Darkness and Light
Kids are often afraid of the dark. This will disappear around their 3rd year if they were able to develop their own identity. The darkness is the part of themselves that they do not understand yet and are afraid to disappear in. Darkness can amplify our own fears and shadows, even at a later stage in life.
That’s as well why I have the idea that sunny days radiate the light that is already inside of us. Sun mirrors your own light and brings joy. As where the dark days of winter will amplify dark spots and shadows. Bringing a whole different feel than sunny days.
We need both in life, dark and light. Balance is again the key.
I hope this has inspired you to keep reading. If you don’t want to miss out on anything, please subscribe to the facebook page or the Newsletter below.
You might be interested in the following posts as well:
10 Secrets to a Healthy and Joyful Morning Routine
Fundamentals I: The Yogic Lifestyle
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