What I’m teaching…Right speech and the Vishuddha chakra

The 5th chakra is the Vishuddha, which translates to “purity”, “purification”, or “pure place” from Sanskrit. Located in the neck, shoulders, throat, mouth, tongue and jaw, the Vishuddha chakra is the gateway from the lower, more material/physical energy centers (chakras 1-4) to the upper, more spiritual/metaphysical 6th and 7th chakras. It governs our ability to communicate, self-express, create, and listen.

Imbalances in the chakras are thought to result in illness. These invisible energy wheels can either spin too fast or too slow; leaking energy out or blocking energy flow within. Physically, excessive or deficient energy flow in the 5th chakra can lead to thyroid imbalances, teeth grinding, neck/shoulder stiffness or tension, hearing/speech problems and throat/jaw ailments (such as chronic sore throats or TMJ). Imbalance can also manifest as excessive talking, interrupting, manipulative behavior, inability to listen, shyness, fear of speaking, inability to express yourself clearly, stuttering, lying, keeping secrets, addiction to smoking and being “wishy-washy”. The good news is that yoga, meditation, and diet can get your wheels to spin just right.

Some asanas that bring awareness and balanced energy flow to this region are:

Simple neck rolls, Ustrasana (Camel pose), Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose), Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand), Halasana (Plow pose), Matsyasana (Fish pose), Purvottanasana (Upward plank pose), and Bhujangasana (Cobra pose).

***If you are experiencing any neck “issues”, pain, etc., please practice under the guidance of your teacher. Most of these poses can still be practiced safely, but may need to be modified.

Pranayama, bandha, and mantra:

Practicing Ujjayi pranayama (victorious breath), Jalandhara bandha (net-bearer bond or throat lock), and chanting Om or “Ham” or any mantra of your choosing will also get the energy moving through the Vishuddha chakra.

Here’s a beautiful Sanskrit mantra that you can learn easily:

Om asatoma satgamaya
tamasoma jyotir gamaya
mrityorma amritam gamaya

Lead us from the unreal to the real

From darkness to light

From death to immortality

Simple meditation for the Vishuddha:

Come into a comfortable position, you can choose Sukhasana (with blankets under your hips or even leaning against the wall), Savasana, or just sit in a comfy chair. Eyes closed, hands where they feel good. Bring attention to the neck, throat, mouth, jaw, and shoulders. Begin to breathe deeply to relax them, one by one. Visualize a beautiful sky blue light appear to illuminate this region of your neck and throat, and see it take form into a blue lotus flower with 16 petals (you can glance at the picture below for help here). Imagine the light brighten with each inhalation and dim a slight bit on exhalation. Inhale- the light brightens. Exhale- the light dims a slight bit. Timing your meditation helps. Start with 1 minute and increase from there.

Finding balance within the 5th chakra means making a commitment to choose your words. Communicate with truth, kindness, peace, and love.

The Buddha called it Right Speech:

Refraining from lying, refraining from slander, refraining from harsh speech, refraining from frivolous speech

Patanjali taught non-harming and truth in Sutras 2.35 and 2.36 (Ahimsa and Satya, the first 2 Yamas, which are so foundational and important that they actually come as the first 2 teachings of the 8 limbs of Yoga), both of which can be applied in communication and speech:

ahimsa pratishthayam tat samnidhau vaira tyagah

In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostilities cease

satya pratisthayam kriya phalasrayatvam

To one established in truthfulness, actions and their results become subservient

And Lao-tzu defines the highest state of man as knowing when to, and not to, speak in the 56th verse of the Tao:

Those who know do not talk

Those who talk do not know

Block all the passages!

Close your mouth, cordon off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust.

This is the primal union or the secret embrace

One who knows this secret

is not moved by attachment or aversion, swayed by profit or loss, nor touched by honor or disgrace.

He is far beyond the cares of men yet comes to hold the dearest place in their hearts.

This, therefore, is the highest state of man.

Communication starts in the mind with a thought. Learn to filter yourself first in those moments. Ask yourself, “Does this thought foster positivity and love?” If not, end it there.

If you find yourself thinking about lying, stop it there. Choose silence.

If you find yourself thinking negatively, judgmentally, or unkindly about someone else…stop it there. Think about something else or think instead of that person’s good qualities.

If you find yourself in a group of people engaging in gossip, trash talk, or even simply talking about someone that is not there…excuse yourself and walk away.

Our words have significant power. Our voices are meant to be pure and the throat chakra used as a place for purification.

When we lie, gossip, blab on and on about nonsense, and insult or speak at others in anger, a ripple of negative energy is emitted. Choose silence instead. Remember the old addage, “If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all”.

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