The fifth chakra, the vishuddha or throat chakra, is located in the throat and governs the neck, throat, jaw, thyroid, parathyroid, lungs and vocal chords. It governs one's ability to communicate and express oneself, either through speech, writing or singing. The throat chakra takes one into the spiritual plane, allowing people to start to look for one's own inner truth and Self, and how to express that in his or her own way. For folks who are deficient in the vishuddha chakra, they may be afraid to speak their minds or find that they have a stiff neck, jaw disorders, or an under active thyroid. For those with excessive vishuddha chakra, an inability to listen to others, difficulty hearing, speech problems and an overactive thyroid may be some of the characteristics they have tendencies towards.
Other characteristics of the vishuddha "throat" chakra:
- Color: Blue
- Element: Ether
- Mantra: Ham
- Petals on the lotus flower: 16
- God: Sadashiva
- Goddess: Sakini
Poses that can help find balance in the vishuddha chakra are shoulder and neck openers. Neck rolls and drawing the right ear towards the right shoulder, and the other side, can help open the neck. Clasping the fingers, leaving the index fingers together pointing and extending the arms in front at shoulder height, then dropping the chin towards the chest, can help open the back of the neck and the shoulder blades. Bridge pose, shoulderstand, and plow pose are also great for opening the shoulders.
Tomorrow: The Ajna Chakra
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