by Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac. ~
Peacefulmind.comÂ
Many thanks to the yogis, practitioners and enthusiasts who liked, tweeted and shared this article over 2,000 times! It has become the gold standard for yoga practices around the world! I am humbled!
Any gemstone can help you connect with your practice! Crystals can “speak” to us in different ways and it is usually due to the fact that we instinctively need something from it. It may be that we are attracted to its shape, color or sheen. It could be its size, weight or properties, but whatever it is that draws us in, there is a reason behind it. When this happens at first glance, I often like to look up it’s metaphysical properties and color meanings. This often explains immediately why I was drawn to it. Below is a list of my favorite stones I use in my yoga practice. I hope you find a stone or two that calls to you!
This ancient petrified resin has electromagnetic properties. It is excellent at detoxification and protection from other people’s energies. Due to its strong connection to nature and the earth, amber is a great stone for grounding our higher energies. Amber can add stability to your life and your yoga practice. Helpful in clearing up depression and therefore, bringing about a positive mental state in your practice.
The stone of transformation and spirituality. It is used for contentment and meditation. Provides common sense and flexibility in decisions. Strengthens and enhances psychic abilities, imagery and mind quieting. This soothing stone is in tune with your Third Eye and Crown Chakra. Amethyst takes you on this transition from the magic time of dusk to a conscious shift into a different place. Crossing this threshold is the lesson of humility, which Amethyst can teach us to flow with peace.The perfect yoga tool.
Coral is a rich blend of calcium and calcite. It resonates with our body and beneficial in your yoga practice as it is used to quiet our emotions and brings peace to our inner self and offer the lesson of diplomacy and concurrence. Coral facilitates intuition, imagination, visualization and expedites and accelerates the transfer of knowledge from teacher to student. This “sea stone” strengthens both circulatory and bone structure in the body therefore, it is good for us on and off the mat. Coral can be used alone or in combination with other stones. Coral has a true link with the past and can pass knowledge along.
 Emerald:
Emerald is a symbol of love and good fortune. This stone is used for abundance, growth, peace, harmony, patience, love, fidelity and honesty. What better benefits to give to a yogic practice. Most effective on the Heart Chakra perhaps because it access desires held deep within. Emerald provides inspiration and helps those in need of balance, healing, and infinite patience. Helps the wearer gain physical, emotional and mental equilibrium. Valuable in meditative work, as well as healing.
This crystal is the most recommended stone for grounding and is associated with the Root Chakra, by encourages ones survival instincts and is centering. Hematite condenses scattered feelings and turns fuzziness into mental clarity. It enhances concentration, memory and practicality. Considered the symbol of life energy, hematite allows for more confidence, will power and boldness. Helps us adjust to being physical. A protective stone hematite is known to deflect negativity. It restores equilibrium, stability and brings our awareness back to the body. It helps one maintain their sense of self on and off the yoga mat!
These clear crystals closely resemble diamonds but are really quartz. Considered a “Dream stone”, they are used in for yoga meditation or under your pillow to enhance visualization, astral travel and dream recall. Most effective on the Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra, this stone shifts the brain powerfully into alpha/deep stillness. Amplifies and stores thoughts, energy; and can be used as a bridge to stimulate energy flow (kundalini) up through the Chakra centers, opening the Brow and Crown Chakra for a strong, clear channel for psychic awareness, intuitive insight and yogic practice.
Pure Himalayan Pink Salt is hand-mined in the Himalayan Mountains. This salt is known for its unique healing properties. According to the Global Healing Center, “this salt’s unique cellular structure allows it to store vibration energy. Its minerals exist in a colloidal form, meaning that they are tiny enough for our cells to easily absorb them.” Himalayan pink salt naturally generate beautiful ions, which improve air quality and health. Place a few chunks in a bowl and place the bowl in your yoga room, meditation space or studio. Heat magnifies the natural healing properties of the salt, which makes them a must for any Hot Yoga practice. Click here to learn all about the healing remedies with sea salt.
This stone is a methodical and meticulous worker of practical, down to earth solutions. It has the ability to foster and nurture and its energy is used for grounding and protection. This makes it an exceptional stone for your yoga practice. Each color of jasper has additional, specific qualities when used alone. Jasper is very effective when use on the Root Chakra. Jasper is a general tissue regeneration; mineral assimilation; and general healing.
 MoonstoneÂ
This is the stone for Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar) and evening rituals. Invites the moon, yin, female energy and a time to unwind and let go. it honors all aspect of the moon and the sacred feminine as well as helps to bring awareness to the emotional aspects of our lives by bringing greater balance and stability.
In tune with emotions, water, and women, especially pregnant women, pearls are a symbol of pure heart and mind; innocence and faith. Because it is from the sea, it has watery and lunar elements, therefore it is used for balancing emotions, especially for water signs. Wonderful for pregnant mommies who do yoga. Pearl is the result of layer upon layer of substance produced to combat irritation, which in turn, makes it cooling, soothing and very nurturing.
This angelic crystal is considered a powerful, loving, healing, spiritual stone. It is believed to be one of the highest vibrational crystals yet discovered. The clearer the stone, the more intensely it opens the Third Eye, Crown Chakra and Transpersonal Chakra as a white light channel. Hence, its aura clearing abilities are phenomenal! This stone ignites clairvoyance/spiritual communication, meditation, astral travel, as well as life journeys. Energizes meridians and the healing of other stones. It helps one to go further in a trance state and gives a deeper awareness of one’s inner structures. Phenacite can be used to amplify the energies of other stones used for healing and to balance energy within one. The perfect stone for a yoga practice.
Quartz is the Master Healer and the “stone of power”! The natural tendency for quartz is for harmony. Quartz can both draw and send energy therefore it is effective for sending/receiving guidance within your yoga practice. Quartz is used for transformation in healing and in all levels of change (mentally/emotionally, physically and spiritually). Quartz stimulates the natural crystal in body tissues and fluids to resonate at the highest healing frequency. Quartz works with All Chakra and is the perfect stone for complete Aura balancing.
This is thought to amplify both body energy and thoughts. It can assist in the creation of power, clarity of thinking, meditation, cleansing, clearing the aura, spiritual development and healing. Pure white light passes through it easily, leaving all the colors of the spectrum unaltered and giving substance to the argument that clear quartz crystals can help balance all the elements needed to make us whole and fulfilled. Amplify whatever influences are present in an individual or location. Acts as a purifier and tunes into the frequency of each individual. Will unblock specific areas or organs blocked from transmitting or receiving the flow of energy throughout the body. Helpful in guiding our search for the meaning and importance of existence. A must have for any yogi!
Rose Quartz represents love, beauty, peacefulness, forgiving, loving, self-love and emotional balance! There is no better crystal to help nourish your yoga practice. It helps us with issues of self-love and self-nurturing. As humans and as life students of yoga, it’s soothing influence helps diffuse negative stimuli and uncomfortable memories. Helps us discover the ability to love ourselves and makes us more open to others. It is of particular value in helping us to forgive ourselves, hastening self-acceptance. Helps us realize that all change is important, even difficult change. One of the best stones to bring honor and compassion into your practice!
Lingham is the sacred Sanskrit word for phallus. In Tantra, the shape embodies the masculine energy; dynamic expression and knowledge. The markings or Yoni depicts female energy; wisdom and intuition. The Tantric Shiva Lingham unifies the dualistic female/male world into harmonious balance. This Sacred Stone relates to the Heart Chakra, and represents the harmony and balance of the soul that is maintained within the hearts of all of us. Shiva Lingham stones are used for spiritual detox, allowing us to see the higher knowledge within ourselves. The stone gives us the capacity for hanging on to the beliefs which work the best for us and letting go of those beliefs which no longer serve us. When used during meditation, lingham shows us how to connect with our physical and spiritual energies and therefore, our higher selves. The goal of any yoga practice.
Smoky Quartz is a grounding stone. It is used most often to overcome depression, nightmares and stress. Quartz stimulates the natural crystal in body tissues and fluids to resonate at the highest healing frequency. Attune to the Root Chakra, it is good for inducing Alpha/deep meditation. It benefits also include channeling higher guidance, deep connection and helping with unconditional love. Heightens your understanding of nature and concerns for the environment. Because it is associated with the Root Chakra, it helps to alleviate fear, anxiety and associated emotional depression. When placed opposite other smokies in a crystal grid these stone vibrate at a high energy level. Wonderful for your yoga space.
 Sunstone
This is the stone for Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) and morning rituals. Invites joy, happiness, masculine energy and light consciousness into your life. Use this stone at the front of your yoga mat for sun salutation or carry it with you for a sunny disposition. This is a great stone to use for connecting, bringing a positive outlook and lifting one’s spirit!
 Additionally ~ Crystal Clusters
I love using crystal clusters in my practice. I have often used a quartz, amethyst or selenite tower in the middle of the yoga studio and have my students circled around facing the stone throughout the practice. Another idea is placing the stone(s) on my yoga mat as I practice, to remind me why I am here on the mat this day. Clusters of crystals bring a “group” energy to it’s surrounding area. They are used to foster protection, cooperation, purification, harmony, friendship, intimacy and to break up negative energy in the environment. Clusters help to keep all life forms energized and clear of heavy or unproductive energy. Find some wonderful crystal clusters here.
