“Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Weekly Focus: Vissudha Chakra (throat chakra)

Vissudha Chakra is the throat chakra and is associated with the color blue. Vissudha is located around the throat, neck and jaw. This is an area associated with the element of ether or empty space. It is connected to our ability to speak clearly, honestly, passionately, and to project our authenticity into the world.

Vissudha is the gateway between the lower chakras and the upper chakras. As it connects the two spaces, it becomes a tool to amplify and project our most authentic self.

We focus this week on using the space of vissudha to speak our truth and speak out in acknowledgement of others. The goal is to focus on the often unsaid: How often do we wish we had recognized or offered gratitude? How often do we wish we had stood up for someone else? How often do we wish we had offered perspective or creative ideas?

This week, lets embrace the emptiness of ether and the space within us as an opportunity to sit in the discomfort, to embrace the discomfort, and to speak up, rather than quietly sitting aside. The way in which we choose to speak, write and direct our language is so powerful. How can we thoughtfully use our voice in acknowledgement of situations often left un-recognized?

Here are a few simple mantras to amplify Vissudha Chakra:

1. I humbly offer my thoughts, and I listen with grace.
2. I speak my truth, my passions and my desires. 
3. I communicate with clearly and directly. 
4. I am honest, and express myself with loving kindness. 

Passive Pose of the Week: Neck Stretches

Neck stretches are an excellent way to help balance and energize the space of Vissudha Chakra.

• Come to a comfortable seat on the floor or in a chair.
• Sit upright and tall in the spine. If needed, support the back against a wall or pillow.
• Start by gently turning the gaze left and right, as if you are shaking your head “no.” 
• Pause with your gaze facing right, andand then drop the right ear towards the shoulder. Take a few breaths here.
• Roll the chin down to the chest and take a few breaths in center. Then roll your left ear to your left shoulder. Take a few breaths.
• Begin to roll the chin side to side moving from left to right. Eventuall build into gentle head rolls that feel comfortable.
• After a few rounds, lift the head through center and pause. Take a few breaths here with the eyes closed, allowing the shoulders to drop away from the ears. 

There are so many ways to explore stretching the neck beside what is listed above. In fact, this is a great space to practice some intuitive movement. As you pause in each position, try moving the arms as well and see how that may impact the stretch. You can also try adding in some head rolls to your cat-cows, another great place to ecplorative intuitive stretching. Close the eyes and breath. As the body calls you into position, move along with it. This is great to practice alone so that you can remove the concern of appearance. Listening to some music, and just allow the head and shoulders to softly move. 

Active Pose of the Week: Spinal Waves