Embodying the chakras part 6 - Concentration and your higher self

With our chakra journey, we now get the apex of the matter… the crown (7th chakra). From here, we get to zoom out, see the bigger picture of life and explore our focused, connected and higher self.

In yoga and other disciplines too, you might hear the term ‘the higher self’. But, if we have a higher self, surely we have a lower self and I’m sure we’ve all had moments in life where we acted/responded in a way that demonstrated this.

Times when you could have handled situations better or simply been a better listener when somebody needed it. This happens, but you can let go of the past, make amends if needed and focus on the higher self from now on.

Roots to grow - wings to fly

This is a nice tagline and resonates well with Dojiva. On one level, I want to see you develop a great capacity for the physical with ample strength, groundedness and good alignment. Yet, to also have the ability to sense (listen), enjoy mental clarity, have a heightened presence and in moments of stress, can elevate and deal with a situation well.

Yet, the physical and subtle are not separate and when ground and crown connect and your breath and body align, the doorway to nature flings wide open.

And nature is the cyclical state where grace, flow and connection are in abundance 

And in terms of movement and alignment, the natural way helps:

• To be efficient with your exercise classes, but also with life’s chores
• To be more alert/effective in the work space
• With accuracy and stamina in sports
• With comfort in gait
• Stay focused and present on the task at hand…

But, how is your ability to concentrate?

Are you good at staying focused on your work, a project or even keeping on track with a long term health goal? Or do you tend to get easily distracted by thoughts of future or past, other things on the ‘to do’ list or something that gives you information from a screen!

And this includes the device you are using right now! How about a mini seven step mindfulness moment to help elevate your posture, flow and grace? Right now, you could:

1. Soften your gaze (close your eyes for five seconds, blink a few times then carry on reading)
2. Relax your brow 
3. Lift and lower your shoulders, then leave them down yet rested
4. Feel the ground (notice what is touching something (feet/sit bones/seat back) and be active there
5. Close your eyes again, this time for about 15 seconds or long enough to take two long slow breaths (do this gently in and out through your nose)
6. Then, open your eyes and notice if you are siting a little taller 
7. Finally, if needed, adjust your screen up slightly (most people look too far down)

Hopefully, with these little adjustments and a touch of awareness, you are perceiving from a more relaxed presence, have a greater integrity of posture and have better attention to absorb the information.

But, when unbalanced at the crown…

not only do you lose connection to the ground and presence but you are more likely to feel separate from existence, find it hare to concentrate, may lack abundance and not be able to tap into the richness and grace of flow state.

Leave your ego at the door (along with your shoes)

There are many times in the day, when ego (with opinion, beliefs, judgements, etc) can get in the way and stifle your resourcefulness and the feeling of being connected. Being more relaxed and open (at the crown) can help restore these qualities. 

That’s what I like about the philosophy and practice of martial arts… throughout the class, there is a continuous act of bowing… bowing to and respect for others, the teachers, the space and ultimately your higher self.

You are lowering your ego to the heart, the ground, the moment… to nature.

Outside of the dojo, this simple means that you:

• Act from a from a place of integrity
• Become a good listener
• Keep an open mind
• Pause before making a judgement about something or somebody
• Spend some quiet time out in nature 
• Look out for abundance
• Practice humility
• Take moments each day to be still and feel presence rise like 

Ok, there we have it for this week be sure to join in with as many classes as possible and how about some suggestions for a daily mantra?

“I think before I act”

”Today, I am relaxed, present and open to newness”

“The quieter my ego becomes, the more my higher self shines”

”I find it easy to concentrate and am productive at work” 

* * * *

Thanks for reading.

Take care

Danny

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Here are this weeks recommended cluster of Dojiva classes:

Sunday 2nd Nov 2025 - Mindfulness 28 - With the right mind-set, you can turn any situation around to the positive. The phrase we ponder in this guided practice is, “I have to” verses “I get to”.

Monday 3rd -  Mini fitness 100 - In today’s ‘hybrid’ class, we have lots of familiar intervals, but with a twist! As fatigue sets in, just before you are about ready to stop, we hold the toughest part of the move in a static position. It’s a game of chess with your mind!

Tuesday 4th - Mobility 111 - Today we have a journey of spinal exercises that range from gentle pelvic rocking to stand up aikido rolls!

Wednesday 5th - Meditation 59 - Journey to your higher self with this guided meditation.

Thursday 6th - Workout 119 - In todays class, you could use looped bands, dumb-bells or a mix of the two. We do six exercises on one side, before sensing then changing over. Then to finish, we have three intervals!

Friday 7th - Mobility 76 - You might like to play this class later in the evening as it involves gentle whole body stretches that you can do in bed (to help relax and sleep).

Saturday 8th - Mini fitness 27 - What better way to finish this week than eight rounds of interval training that includes hopping squats? If you haven’t done these lately, go light!