We’ve all wished we could see into the future at times. Who hasn’t longed to know what was ahead, be it before a big job interview, a move to a new city, or a first date? But since getting your hands on a crystal ball isn’t actually possible, why not take control of your destiny by giving psychic yoga a try instead?
Shannon Yrizarry is the clairvoyant and certified yoga teacher who created psychic yoga. She says that your intuition is already there in your body, but through this practice you’ll start paying more attention to it, and in return, your intuition will get louder. Practicing psychic yoga enhances your ability to understand what other people are thinking and feeling. Maybe you won’t be able to see into the future, but you will be way more perceptive and observant about yourself and others.
The expert, who leads in-person workshops in California and recently penned a book called Psychic Yoga, tells DailyOM, “Psychic yoga is [also] a great way to separate our feelings and find where they are coming from, how they are affecting us, and what we can do to alleviate them.”
Jenna Bowers, an intuitive guide who offers personal energy healing sessions and tarot card readings in Portland, Oregon, says yoga and meditation have definitely increased her otherworldly powers. “Connecting with our bodies can be deeply spiritual,” she shares with DailyOM. “I use movement and other somatic practices in conjunction with meditation to deepen and expand my psychic powers. Listening to our bodies is one of the best ways to receive and trust our psychic impressions.”
Want to learn more? If you’ve never heard of psychic yoga and aren’t sure what to expect — or, frankly, if this is even the real deal — here’s what you need to know before you ever set foot on your yoga mat. No crystal ball necessary!
What Is Psychic Yoga?
Yrizarry says that she thought being a psychic was something “you were born with,” but as she began to practice yoga, she noticed that it got easier to get information from people. “I started seeing that connection,” she says. Yrizarry realized that intuition could be developed with practice, and psychic yoga was born.
She integrates breathwork, meditation, yoga poses, and chakra work to heighten her psychic abilities and says you can do the same by incorporating psychic yoga into your regular wellness routine.
Psychic yoga takes you through one yoga pose at a time to learn which chakras it activates and how you can start to gain intuition based on this new type of body energy awareness you are guided to develop.
Not only will daily check-ins with your chakras in Downward-Facing Dog help you feel more balanced and in tune with your intuition, but Yrizarry says chakra work will also increase your ability to find clarity in your body and in the world around you.
Interested in learning more? Check out Awaken Your Chakra Energy
The Benefits of Psychic Yoga
According to scientific research, yoga is an effective method of reducing and managing stress, anxiety, depression, and mood-related disorders. It’s also been shown to increase feelings of relaxation, improve self-confidence and body image, enhance interpersonal relationships, boost attentiveness, and encourage an optimistic outlook on life.
Like regular yoga, psychic yoga does all of these things and more. Yrizarry says understanding our energy centers will help us find clarity — and clairvoyance. “Psychic yoga takes you through one yoga pose at a time to learn which chakras it activates. You start to gain intuition based on this new type of body energy awareness you are guided to develop,” she explains. “By working on each chakra and noticing the energy and emotions, you’re able to sense your own energy. This is foundational work for somebody who wants to do clairvoyant healing, but can also be for personal healing alone.”
Rather than focusing on building strength, psychic yoga focuses on building your intuition. “As you go through the process of doing each pose with energetic awareness, you’re going to understand the emotions linked to each chakra so that you can make more intuitive decisions for the best outcomes,” Yrizarry says. For the final step, after your yoga session is over, journal your reflections to really lock in your learning.
Regardless of whether you believe psychics are real, everyone — even the biggest skeptics — can reap big rewards from psychic yoga. Not only will you increase your flexibility, but you’ll also help calm your nervous system and tap into what Yrizarry calls your inner superpower. “Everyone is curious about psychic abilities, and experiencing your own is really fun!” she says.
What Do You Need for Your Psychic Yoga Practice?
All you really need to practice psychic yoga is a mat and a quiet space. However, Yrizarry does recommend a few props to help set the mood. “Bring in anything you like that makes you feel peaceful,” she says. “Play music if you want or light candles.” Or try essential oils — Yrizarry is a fan of vanilla and amber, which she believes can be particularly calming for the nervous system. “If you use the same smell every time you practice, it will bring you into that deep state of relaxation and intuition much faster. It’s the same thing with music and candles. Use the same ones and you’ll be able to relax deeper and faster.”
4 At-Home Psychic Yoga Poses
Here, Yrizarry shares a psychic-yoga–inspired, four-pose yoga sequence you can do in the privacy of your own home. Cycle through the entire sequence one time in a quiet space to tap into your intuition and psychic powers. Repeat daily — or as often as possible — for maximum benefits.
1. Mountain Pose
Benefit: Trains your brain to become extremely present in your body
Begin by standing with your feet together. Roll your shoulders up and back and let your shoulder blades rest down your back. Feel the back of your neck lengthen as you grow taller through the top of your head. Pull your front ribs in, your lower belly in, and tuck the tailbone slightly. Breathe slowly and deeply as you make these subtle adjustments.
Add a slight bend to the knees and rotate the thigh bones toward the center line of your body as if your hips were going to look at each other. Pick up your toes, spread them, and then allow them back on the ground, but keep them active.
Shift your weight forward and then backward. Find the middle ground where your weight is equal on the balls of the feet and the heels. Reach your fingertips toward the floor while you stand and lift the chest slightly. Notice how many subtle things you are aware of in this pose.
Begin by holding the pose for three to five rounds of breath. Work toward three to five minutes when your focus on the subtleties of the pose has increased.
Transition out: Now let it all go and shake it out. Relax.
2. Headstand
Benefit: Increases your intuition
Come to your hands and knees and then sit on your heels, if possible. Place your hands on the floor with your fingers spread wide to improve stability. You’ll make a triangle between your hands and your head on the floor.
Come to your toes on the ground as you set up the base for your headstand. Your hands can be slightly wider than your shoulders or in line with your shoulders, depending on what feels comfortable for you.
On the shelf created by the back of your arms with your forearms resting on the floor, place one knee and then the other knee. This may be enough for you. You do not need to straighten your legs until you’re comfortable. When you’re ready — after you’ve taken a few deep breaths in the position with your legs resting on your arms — engage your core. While keeping your leg muscles and glutes engaged, slowly bring your hips over your shoulders and then, while breathing, slowly straighten your legs.
You can modify this pose by placing your legs against the wall if you need to, but avoid doing this if you have any neck problems. You will still get all of the same benefits because you’re still strengthening the rest of your body to hold the head there. Most people tend to hold their breath when they’re doing inversions because they’re nervous, so remind yourself to breathe! Once you’ve done the pose daily, you’ll be able to focus on engaging certain muscles so you can stabilize in the pose.
Transition out: When you’re ready to come down, bend your knees and slowly lower them in a tuck back to your arms. Before lifting your head back above your heart when you come out of the headstand, rest your forehead on the ground in child’s pose for 30 seconds, breathing slowly, so that the blood can slowly return to the rest of your body. This will help keep you from getting light-headed.
3. Breath of Fire
Benefit: Recharges your energy, confidence, creativity, and mental clarity
To begin, sit with a straight spine in a chair, or on the floor in a cross-legged position, facing forward and sitting up tall. Place your fingertips on your belly button and breathe in through your nose. Forcefully exhale through your nose as you quickly pull your belly button in and press in with your fingers.
Let the inhale happen naturally and the stomach will expand again. Create a rhythm focusing on the exhale. Breath of Fire (which can improve your reaction time) is really best done at a slower pace so the time of the inhale and exhale are equal and the entire process is like one unending breath. You can begin slowly and, eventually, after a few weeks or months, speed your breath up. You may get a side cramp while you’re building up your endurance, but this is normal.
Start with one minute each day for a week. If you find this easy, try working up to seven minutes of Breath of Fire. When you finish, take a deep breath in and hold for 15 seconds. Let your air out and notice how you feel. Eventually, try to build up to 11 minutes daily. For extra support if you’ve had a difficult life experience, you may want to build up to 30 minutes daily instead.
Anyone with asthma, heart, or lung conditions needs to consult with their doctor prior to practicing Breath of Fire.
4. Corpse Pose
Benefit: Helps you learn to relax deeply and connect with your spiritual side
Lie on your back and let your feet fall away from each other. Keep your arms alongside your body or slightly away from your body with your palms facing up. Tuck your chin slightly to release the back of your neck.
Scan your body from head to toe for any tension and tell that part of your body to relax. Relax your face. Relax all of the major parts of your body with your intention. Feel the ground holding the weight of your body as your body becomes heavy. Clear your mind. Do nothing and think nothing. Just be.
Stay in the pose for 7 to 10 minutes.
Transition out: To come out of the pose, bring yourself slowly back by wiggling your fingers and toes, rolling your wrists and ankles, and taking some deep breaths. Stretch your arms above your head and then hug your knees to your chest. Rock forward and back on your spine, then slowly come up to a cross-legged position.
Once you’ve finished this entire sequence, gently come back to your body and seal in your practice with one last inhale and exhale. Slowly open your eyes and notice how much more aware you feel of your body, as well as your surroundings.
