Heal your throat chakra
In the fifth of a seven-part series, Jenny Baker leads an exploration of the body's subtle spinning energy wheels, or chakras. This month: heal your throat chakra
It’s no secret that communication affects so many aspects of human life. Poor communication can cause all kinds of problems if we’re not able to express ourselves coherently. Not only is it frustrating for us internally, but it also can cause those we are trying to communicate with to feel irritated. Learning how to heal your throat chakra can solve communication problems you may be dealing with.
Breathe balance back
The bridge between your heart and mind fuses through the throat chakra, or Vishuddha chakra. You can bring balance back into this chakra by simply breathing. Simple right? Here are two different techniques for you to try which will bring heat and energy into your throat.
Ujjayi Breathing:
Keep your lips sealed together and focus on breathing in and out through your nose. Inhale deeply through your nose and then exhale while constricting your throat muscles. If you’re performing this breathing practice correctly, your breathing should resemble the sounds of waves. Your inhales should sound like water gathering to become a wave, and your exhale should compare to waves crashing on a shore. You want there to be a bit of noise accompanying your inhalations and exhalations.
Lion’s Breath:
Begin this breathing exercise by sitting on your heels on your mat. Place your hands on your knees, straighten
your arms and extend your fingers outward.Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth while making a “ha" sound. On your exhale, stick your tongue out like you’re trying to touch your chin.
Yoga for the throat
Feel heat and energy and heal your throat chakra by trying these yoga poses:
Bridge Pose:
Begin by lying down on your mat. Bring your knees up so that your feet are planted flat on the floor. Exhale and press your feet into your mat and raise your tailbone upward towards the sky. Keep your thighs and inner feet parallel. Clasp your hands below your pelvis and reach your arms forward so you stay on the tops of your shoulders. Lift your buttocks until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your knees directly over the heels and lengthen your tailbone towards the back of your knees.
Shoulder-stand:
Lay flat on your yoga mat with legs and arms extended. Lift your legs straight up into the air and flex your feet. Move your torso up and off of the mat to take the weight of your legs and torso onto your shoulders. Use your arms and hands to support your lower back. Try these breathing methods and yoga asanas to find balance in your throat chakra.
Jenny Baker is the content marketing specialist for Asheville Yoga Centre, the largest yoga studio in the US’ South, serving Western North Carolina and beyond for over 20 years. Its mission is to provide the highest quality education of Hatha Yoga, offering over 100 classes per week, world-renowned teacher trainings and workshops in the first-of-its-kind green campus: youryoga.com
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
