The Fifth Chakra - Vishuddha
Element: Ether
Colour: Turquoise
Gemstones: sapphire or emerald (to calm) blue topaz and yellow topaz to activate, turquoise, gem silica and chrysocolla to balance.
Emotion: Independence, security, trust and honesty.
Oils: Chamomile, cypress, geranium, peppermint, rosemary and thyme.
Body Sense: Hearing
Mantra: “I express myself freely and easily, I can communicate my thoughts clearly and effectively, I hear and speak the truth.”
Sanskrit seed symbol: make the sound ‘HAM” (pronounced harm) while focusing on your chakra.
It is important to note that the three major chakras below the heart are principally concerned with the physical body and the world we perceive with our senses, whereas those above the heart are of a more spiritual level. [1]
The fifth chakra (or throat chakra) is called Vishuddha, the first of the chakras primarily focused on the spiritual plane. It is located at the throat (neck, jaw and mouth) and is also known by other names such as; kantha, akasha and nirmala-padma, it means ‘to purify’.
The throat chakra is concerned with communication, inspiration, expression, purification and faith. The throat chakra resonates with our inner truth and helps us find a personal way to convey our voice to the outside world. It is the place from where we can speak or sing our love for our partner or our world.
“Conversely, we can use our voice to hurt or slander, speaking bitter words that destroy and turn the energies of this chakra inwards. Vishuddha will not continue to receive sustenance from the sacred ether unless we can speak and sing good words.” [2]
When the throat chakra is under active, you may have a fear of speaking or tend not to speak much and you may feel introverted and shy. Not speaking the truth may block this chakra. Physical symptoms are said to be neck stiffness, shoulder tension, teeth grinding and an under active thyroid.
When the throat chakra is over active you will notice excessive talking, inability to listen, hearing difficulties, stuttering and an over-active thyroid.
“May you hear and speak truth. May your life and your creations express the fullness of who you are. May you know ever deeper levels of truth.” ~ Anon.
To balance the chakras you can practice specific yoga poses to encourage balance, use oils for the 5th Chakra (inhaled or anointed), lay specific gemstones directly on your chakra and/or visualise a wheel of light in the chakra’s colour (turquoise), spinning in a counter clockwise direction to cleanse and in a clockwise direction to strengthen.
“Purification of the body through attention to diet, yoga, meditation and exercise opens us to experience the subtler aspects of the upper chakras.” [3]
Other ways to balance the throat chakra are to practice pranayama (breath work), especially Ujjayi, Jalandhara Bandha, to practice yoga to and/or listen to music that is repetitive like: echoes, Tibetan singing bowls, African drums and ocean waves.
Other activities are: letter writing, reading out loud and being read to, practice being silent (especially when someone else is talking), neck rolls and Lions Roar/Pose.
The most beneficial yoga poses are gentle neck stretches and shoulder openers such as:
- Cat-Cow Poses (Marjaryasana/Bidalasana)
- Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
- Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
- Shoulder-stand (Sarvangasana)
- Plough Pose (Halasana)
- Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
- Upward Plank (Purvottanasana)
- Fish Pose (Matsendrasana)
- Dancers Pose (Natarajasana)
Questions to ask your-self related to the throat chakra:
- How do I express my unique creativity?
- Can I communicate my ideas, needs and wants clearly and compassionately when I need to? If not why?
- What are the qualities of my voice?
- Am I able to sense when I am receiving guidance to act upon?
- What is my definition of being strong-willed?
- Who are the people who have control over my will-power and why?
Notes:
1 & 2. The Chakra Bible by Patricia Mercier.
3. Asanas for the Chakra System by Barbara Kaplan Herring
Next month: The Brow or 6th Chakra/Ajna
Chakras 1 – 4: Find out about any chakra’s you have missed at Spirit Yoga news/blog here.
Chakra Jewellery: http://www.chakra.net.au/
