Throat (Visuddha) Chakra

The 7 main chakras are energy centers found within the energetic subtle body. In our continuing series of the main chakras we focus on the throat (visuddha) chakra. It's meaning is purification.

The throat chakra is recognized as the color blue and represented with 16 lotus petals. The symbol for this chakra is a downward triangle with a circle inside which represents the full moon.

Logically, the throat chakra location is the throat and its function is communication and creativity. Other parts of the body touched by this chakra are the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. These are all areas in the body that we use to communicate.

Signs of an unbalanced visuddha chakra include sore throat, stiff neck, head colds, thyroid issues and hearing problems. Struggles with communication skills, such as finding it hard to speak honestly, or tending to be a poor listener are all signs of an unbalanced throat chakra.

Turquoise, aquamarine, lapis lazuli, and blue lace agate are among the crystal and stones that bring balance to the communication chakra.

Yoga poses that will help keep the throat chakra in balance include fish pose, head lift, shoulder stand, plough, and head rolls. Here is a sequence for neck rolls. Be aware that rolling your head back is contraindicated for those with cervical spine issues. So be careful.

Chakra Workshop

Before the end of the year, I plan to offer an online chakra workshop that will dive deeper into this beautiful framework for understanding our subtle body. Stayed tuned in this space for details when they become available.

Classes this Week

Once again I will be teaching online Yoga Nidra for OLLI at 1:00 pm. Tonight is the usual Yoga Nidra class at 7:30. I hope to see you at one of these online events today. As always, I am available for private one-to-one lessons. Please contact me using the email form at the bottom of this page.

Stay Safe

Wear a mask when you are indoors in public and get vaccinated. Here in Florida, we are at the epicenter of the latest Delta-variant outbreak. Publix is once again mandating their employees to wear masks. Please take care of yourself as best you can to curb the spread of this more virulent viral strain of the coronavirus. If you don't want to do it for yourself, please do it for those you come into contact with. Many of us in the yoga world like natural remedies. Ayurveda is yoga's sister science. A year ago when no vaccine was available, the Ayurvedic approach was recommended to boost the immune system. See this article from a peer-reviewed publication . My belief is that eastern and western medicine both have advantages and can work in tandem with each other to strengthen the immune system and address other health issues. Right now, the COVID-19 vaccine is the fastest, most effective approach while we can continue to practice ayurvedic health and wellness options. Here is an article from the CDC that outlines why it is safe for most of you to get vaccinated.

Resources

Ancillette, Mary, (2021). Which Are the Best Crystals and Stones for the Throat Chakra? (Vishuddha Chakra).

Anodea Judith, PhD. (2012). Wheels of lIfe. Llewellyn Publications.

Golechha M. (2020). Time to realise the true potential of Ayurveda against COVID-19. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 87, 130–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.003