Vishuddha: Bringing Balance to the Fifth Chakra
Vishuddha is overall the fifth, but first spiritual chakra and can be found in the throat area including the mouth, tongue, jaw, larynx, neck, thyroid, and parathyroid. The Sanskrit word stands for “especially pure,” calling for the significance of this wheel of energy; as in order to reach one’s level of total purification or consciousness this first spiritual chakra must be unblocked. Being the bridge of the heart and mind, this chakra has the function of merging their wisdom together. With “pure,” it also means that one must pay attention to all meditation practice, yoga practice, and diet; which is the holistic way of cleansing all and connecting the body, mind, soul, and spirit.
When this disk of energy is in balance we feel like we are able to listen, speak and express ourselves in a wise, truthful and mindful way. We are able to have faith and understanding, while our words express the positive that has resulted from aligning prior matter chakras while still being established deeply in our hearts. When this chakra is out of balance however, we repetitively tend to feel like situations around us do not seem to turn out the way we wanted; as well as poor communication and the inability to attentively listen to others.
Some of the physical expressions of a misaligned Vishuddha chakra may be sore throats or recurrent throat-related ailments, thyroid problems, jaw discomforts or pain, TMJ, or problems with hearing; whereas in the mental plane excessive talking, inability to pay attention or listen, or stuttering.
Five asanas or yoga postures that can aid you with opening this fourth chakra are:
Ustrasana or Camel pose
Halasana or Plow pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge pose
Viparita Karani or Legs Up the Wall pose
Sarvangasana or Shoulder Stand
Another exercise to aid with re-aligning this fifth chakra is to practice conscious communication. Conscious communication involves being aware of what you feel, think, and do while you speak and listen. Start being aware of noticing whether you are truly saying what you want to say, rather than what you think people want to hear from you. Pay attention to when you get distracted or stop listening to a conversation and figure out why you are doing this: is something making you anxious, worried, fearful, etc.? Finally, use these following questions as your guide for practicing mindful speaking:
Is what I am about to say kind?
Is what I am about to say necessary?
Is what I am about to say true?
Does it improve upon the silence?
If the answers to these four questions are yes, then proceed. If one of the answers proves being a no, but you still feel like you want to say something go ahead, but be conscious about your feelings, reasons, and thoughts.
Other tools that you may want to consider when working towards aligning the throat chakra is its corresponding sound “Hum,” its color blue; gemstones such as sapphire, blue topaz, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and aquamarine that you can place on the chakra’s region while lying down, also using essential oils like jasmine, rose, neroli, and ylang ylang, and eating peppermint, lemon grass, lemons, pears, plums, foods that benefit the throat and lungs, as well as drinking plenty of fruit juices and water.
