In Sanskrit, chakra means “wheel” and is often translated by “vortex”. According to yogic scriptures, these energy centers regulate the vital energy or prana that flows in the subtle (aka psychic) body – psychological, emotional & mental. There are 7 main chakras, each with its own distinctive features, located along the sushumna, the energy channel which flows through the center of the spinal cord, starting at the perineum and ending at the top of the head. The chakras are symbolized with lotus flowers, each having a particular number of petals and color, representing the different manifestations of psychic energy associated to it. As everything else in the universe, they vibrate at a specific frequency, and resonate with and are affected by sound vibration.
The Throat Chakra, Vishuddha in Sanskrit, is located in the back of the neck, in the pit of the throat. It is connected to the element of space (or ether) and associated to the sense of hearing and to the vocal chords and the endocrine system.
Vishuddha chakra is traditionally symbolized by a blue or violet sixteen-petaled lotus, with at its center a white circle. In Sanskrit, it means “purification”, intended as purification of thoughts, words and actions.
The throat chakra is the center of communication and self-expression. When it is balanced, it results in clear and sincere communication and understanding. One is able to express their emotions and creativity in a healthy way and to listen to others with an open mind. It gives the energy to seek and speak the truth while stimulating our inner voice to express our true self. When it is unbalanced, one may experience self-expression challenges (including physical symptoms such as frequent sore throat and even aphonia), find it difficult to connect to oneself, or in some cases talk excessively and not listen to others.
To strengthen or regulate this chakra, traditional yoga recommends to practice postures that stimulate the thyroid gland like Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Vishuddha mudra. And naturally, chanting and singing is a beautiful way to help the energy flow in the throat chakra!
- Element : Space
- Colour : Blue/violet
- Seed sound (or bija mantra) : Ham
- Deity : Panchavaktra Shiva (with five heads)
- Animal : White Elephant
Here is a playlist I created to explore and help balance the fifth chakra. “Throat Chakra Extravaganza” is a wildly eclectic playlist to help, in the wise words of one of our InnerFlowers, Ashlei Mayadia, “break the internal barriers that keep us from living and speaking from what’s within”.
InnerFlow 