Have you ever met a person who just speaks their mind? Not in a mean or confrontational way, but in a way that is compassionate and true to who they really are? They come across as grounded, confident and sure of themselves…fully aware of their needs and with an ability to express those needs in clear and concise ways.
These individuals have a fully realized Throat Chakra, or Vishuddhi. The energy that resides there isn’t blocked and, as a result, clear communication and expression of self can occur. In addition, when this energy flows freely, we have the ability to listen and process what is happening both around us and inside of us…at our core.
Individuals who experience energy blockages in their Vishuddhi will often find it hard to speak openly about their thoughts and feelings; will typically say what they think others want them to say; may find it hard to process and listen to others; and may have throat, mouth, and metabolic issues.
When I was in Bali, I had the opportunity to meet with a life coach who gently smiled at me, put her hand on my arm and said, “your Throat Chakra is completely blocked!” I was at a point of transition in my life and was finding it very difficult to put voice to the changes that were occurring. I knew major shifts were happening and there were things I needed to express in order to fully move onto my new path. Not only was I unable to express myself through this change, I also wasn’t listening to my core self…the one that was emerging in this time of transition.
However, the things I needed to say included “no” and “goodbye.” It was a “no” to a life I had been living that wasn’t serving me in the best way and “goodbye” to a job and city that had defined me for a better part of my life. I knew that in order to fully invest in myself and the new direction my life was going, I needed to be able to speak these words aloud…and with love and compassion for myself.
As I continue on this path, I realize just how amazing speaking from my true self is. I am able to communicate clearly, I am much more creative, and I connect with others on deeper levels. I am by no means a pro at it, but I continue to work on my voice, allowing it to guide me and truly listening to what it has to say.
If you are ever feeling as though you are unable to express yourself fully, yoga can help. A few asanas that can help release energy blockages in the Vishuddhi include Halasana (Plow), Ustrasana (Camel) and Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand). Chanting can help, including the repetition of a guttural sound in the throat. You can also work with Jalandhara Bhanda (Net-Bearer Bond) or meditate on the colour blue (blue is the colour of this Chakra). I find that when I integrate these poses, sounds and bonds into my practice, I engage Vishuddhi in different ways, igniting energy and freeing up my ability to create and articulate.
I encourage you to play with this idea of connection to true self through the Throat Chakra…see what your true self has to say!
Namaste, Heather
Image via Chakra Lover.
