The 5th or Throat Chakra - What you Say Matters

Prana or vital life force flows through the top of the head and down through the chakras, and simultaneously flows upward through the chakras. These ascending and descending currents are inherent to our physical and spiritual growth. As prana passes through us, each center is given the nourishment needed to express, transform and understand our inner landscape and our interconnection with all that is.

“Right thought leads to right speech leads to right action.” -Caroline Myss

Mandala of the 5th Chakra or Throat Soul

Vishuddha or “Purification” is the 5th Chakra found at the throat. This Chakra works to keep the free flow of blood, lymph and prana to the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. It helps balance the energies and functions of the thyroid and parathyroid. This chakra may be balanced or enhanced by wearing the color blue-think bright blue. It expresses itself through the element of sound and works to achieve clarity. This chakra represents the ability to clearly express our truth. Are you speaking your truth? Do you say yes, when you mean no? Do you realize that what you say matters? We are creating the world around us each and every moment with the words we choose to say. The throat soul is a powerful center providing the opening into conscious creation. Let us strengthen our resounding truth by activating the 5th chakra with movement:

Neck Stretch-
Sit or stand comfortably. Take an expansive breath in, and as you exhale gently allow your head to fall forward reaching your chin to your chest. Breathe in and arch your head and chin toward the ceiling. Repeat 3-4 times.
Breathe in; as you exhale gently reach your ear to your shoulder. Breathe in, stretch your ear to the opposite shoulder. Repeat 3-4 times moving from side to side.

Breathe in; as you exhale look to the left bringing your chin to your shoulder. Breathe in and the head returns to center; exhale look to the right. Repeat 3-4 times looking and gently exploring your range of motion from side to side.

Shoulder Stand

Start lying flat on your back legs and arms outstretched. Bring your knees in toward your chest. Lift hips off the floor and allow legs to straighten as you reach them toward the ceiling. Bring hands up to support your lower back. Make sure to keep your head centered as you continue to take full deep breaths. Remain in shoulder stand for up to 10 minutes.

To release the pose first bend the knees in and toward your head. Gently roll the spine back on the floor slowly, one vertebra at a time. Pause laying on the floor to feel the effects of your efforts.

Fish Pose-
Begin by lying down on your back with your legs stretched out along the floor. Bring your hands under your hips with the palms facing down. Strongly press into the elbows lifting your chest up towards the ceiling; allow your head to lift and arch the top of your head to touch the floor. Hold for as long as comfortable taking long deep expansive breathes into your shining heart as the throat is stretched open.