Our Octopus design is made entirely out of affirmations relevant to the symbolism of the octopus. Furthermore, do you see how the octopus is taking the shape of a human brain in profile? Perhaps this ‘brain pose’ posture exists in octopus yoga somewhere on or near the ocean floor.

Each of the eight arms corresponds to a different aspect of the octopus’ symbolism and to the function for that particular region of the brain.

The more you learn about octopuses the more remarkable they become. Octopuses can change colors to produce spectacularly effective camouflage. When in danger, they detach arms to escape predators. Then they can regrow that arm back! Some octopuses take different shapes to trick predators and prey into thinking they are different animals all together. And then of course they are incredibly intelligent. Attempting to contain an octopus? You better plan carefully! If it is at all possible octopuses will figure out how to escape.

Brain Pose is not a real yoga pose. But I like the idea of the octopus doing a special octopus yoga that humans do not have access to. So let me qualify that statement that brain pose is not a real yoga pose in human yoga. Regardless, the physical posture this octopus is taking is the shape of a profile view of a human brain. Not just because of the aesthetics but because of the incredible amount of overlap between the abilities of the human brain and the symbolism of the octopus.

While the octopus in this design is modeled after a giant pacific octopus, the affirmation words creating the art are relevant to the general symbolism of all types of octopuses. You have been all of these attitudes in some way, shape, or form before, even if it was only for a moment, and you can be them all again.

Let’s go through each arm and its corresponding brain lobe:

Arm 1 – Movement – Cerebellum

When you take on the attributes of the octopus related to movement you are tapping into your ability to hold an appropriate posture for whatever situation you are in. For example, you can engage your core and align your spine properly whenever you are sitting. Maybe even right now! The optimal posture for that particular activity.

There are times to tip your pelvic floor forward and times to tip it back. The more I am mindful of my posture, the more I will protect my back. I got your back, back. So if you find your eyes focused on this first arm of the Octopus consider how the words can serve your posture, balance, and life today!

Tying this arm to the ‘brain pose’ theme, this area of the brain is the Cerebellum. The Cerebellum controls balance, posture, coordinating movement, and our ability to learn to move through adjusting during trial and error.

I am fit. You are graceful. We are flowing with the motion of the ocean. I am unfolding. You are moving with ease. We are stretching. You are flexible. We are well positioned. I am gliding. You are strengthening the mind. We are gliding. I am elegant. You are strong. We are dynamic. You are well positioned. We are advancing. I am supple. You are fluid. We are balanced. I am strong. You are elegant. We are moving with ease. I am dynamic. You are holding the pose. We are flexible. I am advancing. You are balanced. We are graceful. I am stretching. I am well positioned. You are stretching. We are supple. You are fit. We are elegant. I am balanced. You are unfolding. You are advancing. We are holding the pose. We are fit. I am deft. You are deft. We are fluid. You are flowing. You are slipping through. We are free. You are dancing

Arm 2 – Being Grounded – Brainstem

Octopuses are bottom feeders. They live on the ocean floor with ease despite the crushing pressures of all the water and atmosphere above them. Arm 2 of the octopus represents concepts round being grounded, connected, and submerged within our beingness. So dive deeper into the second arm on our octopus design and see which affirmations you connect with.

Arm 2 lines up with the brainstem which controls breathing, heart rate, and other automated functions as well as the flow of information between the mind and the body.

When you focus on this section of the design recognize your own connection to both mind and body through the breath. Take a deep, slow one now. Feel your mind quiet, your heart rate slow, and your body relax as you submerge into oneness. Thus allowing us to let go of anxious thoughts about the future and attachments to the past that are shaping our experience in a way we do not like. Learning to properly use our breath and meditate are two important tools in shaping the relationship between our consciousness and our world, the internal and the external, or the physical and the spiritual. Too important to ignore! Breathe deep and look into arm two.

I am ready. You are present. We are concentrating on the present moment. I am awakening. You are patient. I am connected. You are at ease. We are rooted. I am making peace. You are immersed in the present moment. We are experiencing being. You are making peace. We are here now. We are grounded. You are relaxed. We are present. I am mindful. You are centered. We are mindful. You are experiencing being. We are at ease. We are meditative. I am peaceful. We are living in the present moment. You are meditative. We are awakening. I am slowing down. You are connected. I am present. You are exploring the depths.

Arm 3 – sequencing and organization / memory- Temporal Lobe

If you are drawn towards the third arm on our octopus brain pose design you may need to call forth your capacity to find the important information while taking in lots at once. The 8 arms of the octopus represent an ability to multitask and bring focused purpose to the chaos. When we feel overwhelmed we can tap into these aspects of the octopus and find within ourselves an ability to organize, prioritize, and find what is useful within a vast metaphorical sea of life.

Arm three of the octopus design ties into the temporal lobe of the brain. The temporal lobe handles making sense of the chaos. We hear so many sounds. They would all just be noise if it were not for this important part of the brain. We can take those different sounds, find the ones that are important, and turn them into meaningful words or a signal of danger. To pull off this amazing feet our temporal lobes process sensory information and are responsible for a lot of aspects of our complex memory.

I am multitasking. You are multitasking. I am handling it. You are handling it. I am holding on. You are holding on. We are holding on. I am creating solutions. You are creating solutions. You are dedicated. We are dedicated. I am active. We are active. I am solving puzzles of life. We are solving puzzles of life. I am searching for useful patterns. You are searching for useful patterns. I am leading. You are leading. I am united. We are united. I am synchronized. You are synchronized. We are synchronized. I am getting a good grip. You are organizing. You are skillful. We are skillful. I am doing something different. You are reasoning. We are reasoning. We are exploring.

Arm 4 & Arm 5 – Self Awareness, Emotion, and Intelligence – Frontal Lobe

Octopuses are very well known for their intelligence. Their ability to find solutions to complex puzzles is rivaled only by humans. Finding these solutions requires creativity and a level of understanding that exposes a high level of thinking.

While we may not be able to test for this directly yet, some people believe octopuses are capable of thoughts beyond concepts of pleasure and pain but maybe jealousy and compassion. It makes sense that emotions and thoughts, once believed only humans could have, would be present in creatures that exhibit such intelligence. I mean even my dogs have unique personalities. So advanced thinkers like an octopus could be having a very profound internal experience.

What does it mean to be you? What distinguishes any of us from anyone else? One of the most important parts of answering those questions lies in understanding the frontal lobe. Also known as the “control panel of our personality”, the frontal lobe allows for such things as emotional expression, problem solving, and judgement.

All those important functions give the frontal lobe a good chunk of real estate. So we gave the frontal lobe two arms; both 4 and 5. Jump in and tap into your higher level thinking and own uniqueness!

Here are the words making up arm 4

I am intelligent. I am aware. You are strategic. We are original. I am independent. You are exploring. We are patient. I am powerful. You are consciously participating. I am unique. We are understanding. You are decisive. You are creative. You are tactful. We are planning. We are original. You are conscious. I am clearly perceiving myself. You are watching your thoughts. We are witnessing our internal experiences.

And here are the words making up arm 5:

You are adapting. We are overcoming. I am strong willed. We are versatile. You are capable. I am tenacious. I am learning. I am growing. We are transformed. We are transcending. You are creating. I am incognito. I am strengthening the mind. We are strengthening the mind. I am adaptable. I am clever. You are reflecting. You are bettering your understanding your self. You are aware of your behaviors. You are contemplating. You are clearly perceiving yourself. I am watching my thoughts. We are witnessing our internal experiences. You are smart. We are ingenious

Arm 6 – Sensing – Motor Strip / Sensory Strip

Each arm of the octopus is full of so many nerves and sensors that some people consider each arm to be its own autonomous brain! Arm 6 of our brain pose Octopus design calls forth the aspects of ourselves that tie into Octopus symbolisms surrounding abundance and perceiving the information of our world.

Within the human brain arm 6 overlaps with the sensory-motor strip. It is a part of the Parietal Lobe, which we will get to in more detail in arm 7. The sensory-motor strip registers sensations. If you are looking into arm 6 you are finding aspects of yourself tied to sensing the world around you. Life without sensing the world we live in would be tragic. I am grateful for my perception of the world allowing me to bare witness!

I am sensing. I am abundant. You are abundant. You are expanding. We are expanding. You are wealthy. We are complete. I am generous. You are enough. I am feeling. We are feeling. I am balanced. We are balanced. We are taking it all in. I am acquiring information. You are acquiring information. You are noticing. You are perceiving. We are perceiving. We are adjusting based on new information. You are interpreting signals. I am processing multiple streams of data. You are in control. I am detecting. I am connecting. I am exploring my feelings. We are observing.

Arm 7 – Interprets language, spacial, and visual perceptions – Parietal Lobe

I mentioned earlier how an octopus can release an arm and then grow it back. They perceive, react, and heal. We are capable of this cycle as well when facing challenges. Looking into arm 7 yields affirmations relevant to the symbolism of an octopus about interpreting, understanding, releasing, and healing.

Our own Parietal Lobe, located in the region of arm 7, controls the processing of information allowing us to interpret the world around us. We use the Parietal Lobe in turning things like impulses from the skin into concepts of touch, pain, warmth, and cold.

I am interpreting. You are releasing. We are regenerating. I am renewing. I am healing. I am letting go. We are rejuvenated. We are renewed. You are healed. I am protecting. You are free. You are healthy. We are responding well. You are resilient. We are recognizing attachments. I am understanding where I am. You are expressing. You are comprehending. You are seeing where you want to go. We are well oriented. I am mathematical We are linguistic I am mathematical.

Arm 8 – Vision – Occipital Lobe

When you look into arm 8 of our octopus brain pose design you will see attitudes related to perceiving the world. In the physical sense this literally means seeing things clearly. Metaphorically, you can can apply this idea of vision to tapping into the concepts about leadership and witnessing the infinite internal experience.

Arm 8 is located in the back of the brain where the Occipital Lobe is. All mammal brains have this lobe and use it mostly as the visual cortex.

Feast your eyes on arm 8’s affirmations about your own capacity to see through illusions and find possibilities you want.

You have an eye for details You are recognizing yourself in others. We are exploring the depths of our consciousnesses. I am envisioning the goal. I am witnessing. You are good luck. You are protected. I am talented. You are surprising. I am inspired. You are patiently observing. We are seeing clearly. I am looking for solutions. We are looking for solutions. We are seeking. We are seeing through illusion. I am visualizing success. You are visualizing success. I am searching the possibilities. You are searching the possibilities. I am making good use of the information. I am healthily digesting experiences.

HEAD

Ther head of our octopus design grabs affirmations from all 8 of the arms and mixes them together representing unity and synchronicity.

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