Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Vishuddha Chakra is the fifth chakra mentioned in the chronology of chakras. It is called throat chakra since it is located in the region of the throat.
Meaning of Vishuddha
Vishuddha means clean or very pure. Vishuddha Chakra represents purity of thoughts and speech. The words we use in our speech are sounds used for communication. If these words are pure, we communicate better and the other person will understand what we communicate in a better and right way. This is possible only when our Vishuddha Chakra is balanced and energetic. Pure speech also reflects a pure personality of ours.
Since speech and hearing are interrelated, we not only express and communicate properly when Vishuddha Chakra is balanced, we will also develop patience to listen to what others say.
Vishuddha Chakra – the center of communication
Vishuddha Chakra is the chief communication center of the body. One expresses through his or her voice. This voice comes out and is expressed from within the throat. When this chakra is balanced we communicate and respond by hearing the communication of others in a good way, with patience. This will help in establishing good relationships and harmony with others.
This chakra being the centre of our communication, relates to creativity, individuality, truth and purpose.
Hearing and being heard
This chakra is also related to hearing and being heard because they are also related to our speech. Vishuddha Chakra is associated with truth, clarity and responsibility looking at it from a philosophical angle.
Location of Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra is located at (in and around) the throat region, near the spine. The superficial activation point of this chakra is said to be in the pit of the throat. Due to it being located in this region, it is popularly referred to as the ‘throat chakra’.
In relation to the other chakras, Vishuddha Chakra is located exactly in between the Anahata Chakra (heart chakra) below and Ajna Chakra (eyebrow or third eye chakra) above.
Main Symbolic Animal of Anahata Chakra
The vehicle of Vishuddha Chakra is Gaja, the elephant. It is the supreme lord of herbivorous animals. It is of the color of clouds i.e. smoky grey. The confidence, knowledge of nature and of the environment and consciousness of sound come in Vishuddha Chakra as illustrated by the large ears and graceful gait of Gaja – the elephant, the symbolic animal of Vishuddha Chakra. It is said that the elephant carries the entire past knowledge of earth, herbs and plants being the most primitive and ancient member of the surviving mammals. Elephants are symbolic of patience, memory, self-confidence, and the animal which enjoys synchronizing and blending with the nature in which it lives.
The trunk of the elephant represents the sound. At this level, the seven trunks of Airavata – the elephant of the Muladhara Chakra have fallen away and the elephant has a single trunk. All that has remained through the chakra evolution till here is pure sound which brings in liberation.
Yantra form of Vishuddha Chakra
The yantra of Vishuddha Chakra is the silver crescent. It is located within a white circle which is shining as a full moon surrounded by sixteen petals of the lotus representing the Vishuddha Chakra. The silver crescent is the lunar symbol of nada which is the pure form of cosmic sound. Vishuddha Chakra is the seat of sound in the body and is located in the throat. Purification, as we know, is the vital aspect of Vishuddha Chakra and the crescent is symbolic representation of purity.
The moon encompasses psychic energy, clairvoyance and communication without words. Since all the energy in Vishuddha Chakra has been refined, the person in whom Vishuddha Chakra is active and energetic will comprehend nonverbal messages. The cooling mechanism in the throat is also represented by Vishuddha Chakra. It is said that all foods and liquids passing through the throat are brought to a suitable temperature which goes well with the body.
Bija Mantra (seed mantra) of Vidhuddha Chakra
The syllable ‘Ham / Hum’ is the bija mantra of Vishuddha Chakra. The deity of the Vishuddha Chakra – Lord Sadashiva resides in the Bindu i.e. the point above the bija mantra.
The color of this bija is gold or radiant white color with four arms. When Ham or Hang bija sound is produced properly, it vibrates in the brain and causes the fluid therein (cerebrospinal fluid) to flow more fully into the throat. This fluid affects the throat and enables in bringing out sweet and melodious qualities to the voice.
The spoken words have their origin from Vishudha Chakra and gives voice to the emotions within the heart. It is said that the voice of a fifth chakra person i.e. a person in whom Vishuddha Chakra is predominantly active, reaches the heart of the listener. This pure sound would affect the listener by changing the akasha i.e. space of his mind and being.
Lotus and number of petals of Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra is white in color. The lotus representing Vishuddha Chakra has sixteen petals which are purple or smoke colored. A downward pointing triangle which is sky blue in color and containing a ‘full moon shaped and colored’ circular white region embedded in it is placed within the pericarp of this sixteen petal lotus. This represents akasha mahabhuta i.e. ether or space element. Ambara is the deity who represents this region. Ambara is white in color and has four arms and holds a noose and a goad. Seated on a white elephant, he makes gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear. The silver crescent which symbolizes purity, which is also an important aspect of Vishuddha Chakra (the reason it is called Vishuddha) is the lunar symbol of Nada. Nada is the pure cosmic sound.
On each of the sixteen purple petals is written the sixteen Sanskrit vowels in golden color. The petals correspond to –
– Vrittis of the mantra Aum / Om
– Sama mantras
– The mantras – Hung, Phat, Vashat, Svadha, Svaha and Namak,
– Amrita and
– The seven musical tones
The Bija Petal Sounds are – Ang, Aang, Ing, IIng, Ung UUng, Ring, Riing, Lring, Lriing, Eng, Aing, Ong, Aung, Ang and Ahang.
The divinity, the presiding deity and Shakti of Vishuddha Chakra
Presiding / Residing Deity – Panchavaktra Shiva having camphor blue skin, five heads and four arms is the presiding deity of Vishuddha Chakra. Lord Sadashiva sits in the Bindu – point of the Bija Mantra HUM.
The five heads of Sadashiva represent the spectrum or objects of the five sense organs i.e. smell, taste, sight, touch and sound and also union of all five elements in their purest forms. He also has ten arms. The right side of the body of Sadashiva is white and is in the form of Shiva. On the other hand, the left half of the body of Sadashiva is golden colored and is represented by Shakti of the same color. Sadashiva holds while making the gesture of dissipating fear by one of his hands, holds in his hands, a trident, chisel, sword, vajra weapon, fire, great snake, bell, goad and a noose in each of his other nine hands. The lord is clad in a tiger skin.
Other schools say that Sadashiva has four arms. In one of his hands, with a gesture, he bestows fearlessness in the hearts of all. He holds the japa mala – rosary for chanting on the other hand which rests on his knee. In one of the left hands he has a damaru drum which drones continuously manifesting the sound AUM. The other left hand holds the trident.
Presiding Shakti – Goddess Shakini Shakti is the Shakti of Vishuddha Chakra. She is the Shakti of Lord Sadashiva. Shakini Shakti is shining white. She is seated on a red colored lotus. Like Sadashiva, she too has five faces. She also has three eyes on each face, is four armed and carries a bow and arrow, a noose and a goad in her hands.
Other schools opine that Shakini Shakti being an embodiment of purity, has pale rose skin and wears a sky-blue sari with green bodice. She is seated on a pink lotus to the left side of Panchavaktra Sadasiva. She bestows higher knowledge and siddhis – powers. She holds a skull, ankusha – goad, scriptures and mala – one in each of her hands. Shakini Shakti are related to one’s memory, ready wit, intuition and improvisation.
The color of Vishuddha Chakra
Blue is the color of Vishuddha Chakra.
Elemental connection with Vishuddha Chakra
Akasha Mahabhuta i.e. ether / space element is the element associated with Vishuddha Chakra. It represents the space which is the essence of emptiness. It is the space in which our true selves exist. Due to the relationship with Akasha, ether and space which represent Akasha are the qualities of the Vishuddha Chakra.
Akasha also means infinity. This chakra helps us to discover ‘the infinite’ within us. To discover this, we need to move beyond the illusions of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual boundaries and limitations.
To keep this chakra in balance and activated, one needs to work on the physical space of the throat through practice of asanas. This would clear the throat at all the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. We begin to speak and express better and communicate better.
In this chakra, all the elements of the lower chakras i.e. earth, water, fire and air are refined to their purest essence and dissolve into the akasha.
Vishuddha Chakra relationship with the body and its parts
Physical body – Organs related to Vishuddha Chakra
As mentioned already, Vishuddha Chakra is mainly located in the throat and neck.
Apart from the throat, Vishuddha Chakra is also associated with the below mentioned organs / structures –
– Mouth
– Tongue
– Pharynx
– Palate
– Lips
– Cheeks
– Jaw
– Ears
– Shoulders
– Lower neck
– Back
It influences the regions of the body between the shoulder girdle, neck and chin and also along the cervical spine to the skull base.
Along with speech, this chakra is also associated with hearing and hence is related to the ears. As the chakra is associated with speaking it is also associated with the mouth.
Gland related to Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra is associated with the thyroid gland, which is also located in the throat region and in the vicinity of the throat chakra.
Thyroid gland regulates and monitors vital aspects of the body like temperature, growth and metabolism. The body derives its energy for the essential functions through these aspects. By being connected to the thyroid gland and its functioning, Vishuddha Chakra also monitors these vital aspects.
Jnanendriya – Sense Organs related to Vishuddha Chakra
Being the Chakra related to communication / speech and hearing, Vishuddha Chakra is related to jihva indriya – tongue and shravana indriya – ears.
Karmendriya – Organ of action related to Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra is related to speech, expression through speech and communication and hence connected to vak indriya – organ of action related to speech.
Special Characteristics of Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra – the bridge between the lower and upper chakras
Vishuddha Chakra is not only responsible for all our communication skills, it is also a pathway of communication between the lower chakras and the higher chakras. Muladhara (root chakra), Swadishtana (sacral or pelvic chakra), Manipura (navel chakra) and Anahata (heart chakra) Chakras are the chakras located lower to Vishuddha Chakra. The Ajna (eyebrow or third eye chakra) and Sahasrara (crown) Chakras are located above the Vishuddha Chakra.
While the lower chakras are associated with earth elements and physical body, the higher chakras are associated with spiritual energy and also with intuition, beauty and light. Vishuddha Chakra, in its state of balance, bridges between these two upper and lower realms in a good way. In other words the throat chakra is a connection between one’s basic needs and his or her higher wisdom realms.
Relationship with Swadishtana Chakra
There is a unique relationship between Vishuddha and Swadishtana Chakras as both of them work in conjunction. Creative ideas take their origin in Swadishtana Chakra. These creative ideas would manifest, flourish and express with the help of the energy of Vishuddha Chakra.
Bridging heart and mind
Vishuddha Chakra is said to be the bridge between the heart and mind. When the balanced throat chakra operates between these two zones it brings about the integration of wisdom of both heart and mind. This will enable free flow of spiritual energy and truths.
Gateway between head and lower parts of the body
Apart from being the bridge between heart and mind, Vishuddha Chakra is also said to be a gateway for energy flow between lower parts of the body and the head. It is guided by principles of communication and expression as already said. We all would feel the vibrations of the sounds taking origin within us in the zone of throat chakra and move out of the throat and then into the air so as to express itself in the form of communication or expression of thoughts, ideas or whatever we want to convey to the outer world. This vibration of sounds of expression is also experienced in our ears and the whole body. We can attune harmoniously with the inner and outer vibrations of sounds only with the help of vishuddha chakra.
Vishuddha Chakra, as discussed earlier is a cosmic bridge to the higher chakras and our higher states of being and it also connects the lower chakras to those in the top tier. Vishuddha Chakra is predominantly made up of Akasha – ether or space element and through this it keeps reminding us that the universe is a vast space and we are a minute component of it.
Vishuddha – a purification center!
Vishuddha Chakra is the center for purification. From the Bindu Chakra, the nectar called Amrita is said to drop into this chakra. On reaching herein, it splits into two parts – a pure form and a poison form. It is said to be associated with virtues like creativity, self-expression and higher discrimination. There is a belief that the person would undergo decay and death if this chakra and its energy flow get closed. On the other hand, the negative experiences get transformed into learning and wisdom when this chakra is open and balanced. If this chakra is open and clean, one would attain success in everything he does. On the other hand, if this chakra gets polluted and closed one would definitely face failures in all endeavors.
Guilt Blocks of Vishuddha Chakra
Many of us feel guilty for our mistakes, it is natural. But some of us are obsessed with feeling guilty and have made it a habit. This will block the flow of Kundalini energy in the Vishuddha Chakra. All our communication becomes blocked and confused.
Stopping feeling guilty is the remedy for unblocking this chakra.
Gateway for Siddhis and other benefits
Some experts opine that Vishuddha Chakra is the gateway to attain various kinds of siddhis or occult powers. We can achieve this by meditating on this chakra and regularly practicing and mastering it. By doing the same, one can become trikalajna i.e. knower of the three periods i.e. past, present and future. One would also get free from the clutches of the diseases and would become immune to diseases and senility. One will become capable of destroying all the dangers and would also become triloka sanchari – i.e. the one who has ability to travel into the three worlds or different realms of the creation.
Lalana Chakra
There is also a mention and discussion of a minor Chakra called Lalana Chakra. It is located in the roof of the mouth and is closely related to the Vishuddha Chakra.
This Chakra has sixteen red / white petals. These petals correspond to many virtues including purity, honor, respect, contentment, self-control, pride and affection. It also corresponds to sorrow, offense, depression, dissatisfaction and anxiety. It is located in a red circular moon shaped region which acts as a reservoir for amrita. This amrita – the nectar of life, is allowed to run downwards into the Manipura Chakra when Vishuddha Chakra is inactive. There, the nectar is consumed leading to physical degeneration. This pathway of movement of amrita can however be reversed back into Vishuddha Chakra by regularly indulging in practices like Khechari Mudra, wherein it is purified and once again gets transformed into nectar of immortality.
Communication blocks and Vishuddha Chakra energy
The Vishuddha Chakra has an important and essential role in communication, creativity and self-expression. Communication becomes tougher and a challenge or even an effectively made communication goes wrong or misunderstood or misinterpreted when there is an imbalance in this chakra. Same is the fate of creativity and self expression.
Other entities related to the Vishuddha Chakra in a glimpse
– Position – at the level of throat, neck
– Related Color – blue, violet / bluish-violet
– Related element – akasha – ether, space
– Related Mantra – HAM / HUM
– Related Lotus – 16 petal lotus, each petal representing one Sanskrit vowel
– Related animal – white elephant representing pure wisdom
– Related divinity – Panchavaktra Sadashiva / Lord Brahma, the creator, represents consciousness (other schools)
– Related symbol – Moon represents mind feelings, connected to Bindu Chakra
– Related positive qualities, aspects / attributes – Positive qualities and aspects – purification, clarity of words, linguistic skills, singing, creativity, communication, detoxification,
– Negative qualities and aspects – fear, nervousness, panic, complexes
– Related plane – Janarloka – human plane
– Related Prana – Udana
– Related planet – Jupiter
– Related principles – Sphurana / creation
– Related precious stones and crystals – rock crystal, blue stones, turquoise, aquamarine
– Related metal – mercury
– Related Mineral – silicon
– Related emotion – fear
– Related sensation – dream / sleep
– Related sense organ – ears, sensation of hearing
– Related feature – sound
– Related taste – sour
– Related secretion – saliva
– Related gland – thyroid gland
– Related Plexus – carotid plexus
– Related quality – dhavana / purify, remove
– Related organ – mouth, organs of speech
– Related body part – body hairs
– Other names – throat centre, throat chakra, kantha kamala
Effect of Vishuddha Chakra on mind and emotions
Vishuddha Chakra and Mental body
Being associated with the mind, Vishuddha Chakra, in its state of balance, helps in clear communication. It helps us to ask what we need and express our needs through our questions. It helps in knowing and honoring oneself. One can maintain the inner equilibrium and also equilibrium with the world around by accepting the things as they are.
Vishuddha Chakra and Emotional body
We as human beings express through many ways, through truth, purpose, individuality and creativity and we do all this with the help of the energy of Vishuddha Chakra. Swadishtana Chakra i.e. sacral chakra is yet another lower chakra which is related to emotions and creativity. Vishuddha Chakra and Swadishtana Chakra are interrelated. The balance of these chakras individually and relatively is important for our emotional balance. When Vishuddha is balanced we can express our ideas clearly, gracefully and honestly. It also helps in expressing and projecting our authentic creativity in the world.
Effects of Imbalances of Vishuddha Chakra
How do I know that my Vishuddha Chakra is out of balance?
When your Vishuddha Chakra is out of balance, you will not be able to communicate, create or self-express in a good and effective way. Even if you do or think that you have done, it will not be taken in a similar sense by the other person / persons. Your effective communication will be misread, or misinterpreted. Same thing will happen when you are at the receiving end. Communications from the other end will not reach out to you as they need to. They are altered and misinterpreted when they enter you and you will not be able to comprehend and appreciate even a properly made communication. This will lead to confusions, quarrels, misunderstandings and separation. This is because both tongue and ear fall into the territory of Vishuddha Chakra functioning.
Yoga medicine therapeutic specialist Diane Malaspina says that when your Vishuddha Chakra is blocked or unbalanced, one may –
– Feel fearful about speaking one’s personal truth,
– Have tough time expressing the thoughts in a right way or
– Feel anxious about speaking or
– Feel anxious about communicating
– Experience emotional outbursts or
– Become extremely quiet, withdrawn and refuse to speak
– May become critical about themselves
– May become critical of selves
Effects of Imbalances and Blockages in Vishuddha Chakra
Below mentioned conditions can be caused due to the blocks in the Vishuddha Chakra –
- Physical symptoms / conditions due to blockages and imbalances in Vishuddha Chakra
Below mentioned are some of the physical symptoms of Vishuddha Chakra block or imbalance –
– Long-standing sore-throat issues not responding to any treatment
– Having raspy throat / hoarseness of voice
– Manifestation of ulcers in the mouth / sores in mouth or tongue
– Diseases of the gums
– Ear infections
– Laryngitis
– Sinus infections
– Thyroid issues
– Tightness in the shoulders
– TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) Diseases
– Neck pain
– Shoulder pain
- Mental and emotional symptoms / conditions due to blockages and imbalances in Vishuddha Chakra
Below mentioned are the mental and emotional symptoms / conditions caused due to the imbalance and blocks in Vishuddha Chakra and its energy flow –
– Depression
– Anxiety
– Low self-esteem
Not just suffering from these conditions, the worst part is that many people will not be able to express these feelings and emotions.
Imbalances in Vishuddha Chakra can also cause issues with personal expression, creativity, addiction, criticism, faith, choices, will, lack of authority
- Problems related to speech and communication
– Unwilling to speak
– Unable to speak
– No clarity in speech or communication
– Not able to speak up so as to defend self
– Unable to express opinion
– Unable to state one’s choices
– Becoming silent amidst difficult conversations
The other conditions would be –
– Fear of communication
– Fear of making speech in public
– Fear in making or initiating conversations
– Feeling uncomfortable or fear to talk to even people one knows or is close to
– Feeling of lump in the throat or a voice catch when one wants to say something
– Speaking in a low voice which isn’t easy to hear
The other direction of imbalance
Person can go mute and not speak when this chakra is blocked, as discussed already. If it is imbalanced in the opposite direction, the person instead of being silent will show tendency to talk too much or chatter something without a clear point, context and meaning or habitually gossiping. These people can also use inappropriate and foul language and make misstatements. They are also found interrupting or talking over people. They dominate the conversations and always try to silence the other person. They would love to have the last word. Here, the Vishuddha Chakra needs to be toned down.
Benefits of balancing and aligning the Vishuddha Chakra
Why align your Vishuddha Chakra?
When a person has problems communicating, speaking or hearing one has to correct and align the vishuddha chakra. Communication is an arc comprising both the acts i.e. hearing and responding in the form of communication or talking and the other way also.
When this chakra is balanced, one would be able to communicate with clarity, wisdom and discernment. One can speak clearly and fearlessly and also speak the truth and with compassion. He can also be open to listening with patience.
One would also talk openly and with honesty without hurting others. He will also be calculative and focused on the quality and quantity of speech and also its timing. There will be care and concern for others when he speaks. This will help in building healthy relationships and also maintain them.
One will be able to freely express his or her ideas, feelings and opinions. The other person will also hear and understand your perspective of communication and what you need to say when you are able to express your thoughts with clarity. This will make communication easy and healthy. The other form of healthy communication is that which is nonverbal and directed inwards, within us. Introspection, speaking truth to self and living with and inside that truth while traveling in the pathway of the same truth always opens up the pathway to spiritual enlightenment. All this is possible if the Vishuddha Chakra is clean, clear, balanced and healthy.
Beneficial Yoga Postures for balancing and releasing blockages of Vishuddha Chakra
Below mentioned asanas are beneficial to awaken and fine-tone the Vishuddha Chakra to balance –
– Sarvanga Asana – shoulder stand pose
– Bhujangasana – cobra pose
– Matsyasana – fish pose
– Halasana – plough pose
– Marjaryasana / Bitilasana – cat cow pose
– Adhomukha Shvanasana – downward facing dog pose
– Ushtrasana = camel pose
– Setubandhasana – bridge pose
– Shirshasana – headstand pose
– Shashankasana – hare pose
– Viparitakarani – legs up the wall pose
– Yoga mudra / yoga mudrasana – psychic union pose
– Khatu Pranam – greetings to pranam pose / exercise
– Salamba Sarvangasana – supported shoulder stand pose
– Simhasana – lion’s pose
Beneficial exercises, Pranayama and other practices
Below mentioned practices help in balancing, activating and energizing the Vishuddha Chakra –
– Head rolls and gentle neck stretches
– Regular practice of Pranayama
– Combo of Ujjayi Pranayama, Jalandhara Bandha and Kechari Mudra
Meditation and Affirmations for Vishuddha Chakra
Meditation is a very important practice for cleansing and opening up the Vishuddha Chakra. A combination of asanas, pranayama, bandha (jalandhara) and mudra (kechari) will enhance the positive effect on Vishuddha Chakra.
Meditating on blue color – One also needs to meditate while visualizing and focusing on the color of Vishuddha Chakra i.e. blue color.
Meditating and chanting the Bija Mantra – Ham is the Bija Mantra of Vishuddha Chakra. One should chant and meditate on this Bija Mantra to activate, energize or open up the Vishuddha Chakra, to balance it and also to work on its frequencies of vibration.
Below mentioned affirmations help in opening up and balancing Vishuddha Chakra –
– I can talk and communicate clearly.
– I speak only the truth. The truth I speak is free, open and honest.
– With my honest behavior I attract the honesty of others.
– I express myself very clearly and truthfully and for that I am accountable.
– I am able to receive by voicing my desires.
Other effective tips to balance Vishuddha Chakra
Working with Bija Mantra
Ham is the Bija Mantra of Vishuddha Chakra. The sound vibrations produced while chanting this bija mantra would have a healing, activating, balancing and energizing effect on the Vishuddha Chakra. Chanting the Bija Mantra loudly will help in the best possible way.
Chant, sing and hum
One should learn to consistently chat, sing and hum something which is spiritual or which fascinates him or her. This will keep the throat vibrating in a positive way and keep the vishuddha chakra open and activated and balanced.
Blue your life
You should be covered by everything blue in and around you, as if you are in a movie set with a blue theme. Live, smell, see, sense, breathe and visualize blue, the color of Vishuddha Chakra.
Blue crystals will help in balancing the vishuddha chakra. They include turquoise, lapis lazuli or aquamarine.
Necklaces having one of these gems may be worn with the intention of healing vishuddha chakra. These stones can be placed on the base of the throat, worn as jewelry, used as décor or carry them wherever you go.
Since each of the minerals has a different resonating frequency, they are effective ways to work out with vishuddha chakra since this chakra also governs resonance and sound through our speech and communication.
You may also –
– color your room blue,
– visualize blue,
– meditate by focusing on a blue point,
– wear blue dress,
– select blue colored foods and drinks and
– do anything innovative with blue color which suits you and your taste
Breath balance
One should try to balance the breathing through Pranayama and Yoga techniques to keep a balance on Vishuddha Chakra. We need to remember that the air passes through the throat, the Vishuddha zone, while going in and also while going out. Simhasana – Lion’s Breath pose is a Yoga as well as Pranayama technique / practice which helps in balancing the breath and is very much beneficial for the Vishuddha Chakra. Apart from that, it helps in easing stress, expelling toxins and stimulating the Vishuddha (throat) and Anahata (heart) Chakra zones.
What Should I do?
Inhale through the nose while opening the eyes and mouth widely. Protrude your tongue and roar your breath out so that it can be heard. The breath sound of exhalation should resemble the roar of a lion and hence justifying the name of the practice – Simhasana.
Reiki healing
Reiki healing is a very good option for not only unblocking and healing your Vishuddha Chakra but also to energize it. It shall be undertaken under the guidance of an expert Reiki healer.
Practice Neck Stretches
One should regularly practice some neck stretches which open up the area around one’s neck area. This will help in balancing the vishuddha chakra. These stretches also prevent the stress and tension that would build up in the throat or neck area.
Method – Sit straight and drop your chin such that it gets close to your chest. Now, while keeping your shoulders relaxed, tilt your head slightly to the left in a way that your left ear is closer to your left shoulder as much as possible. The tilt should be in such a way that you feel a stretch along the other side i.e. right side of your neck. Be in this position and hold the stretch for 30-60 seconds. Now, slowly release and come back from the tilt to straight position and move your head back down to the chest. Now repeat the tilt on to the right side just like you did in the left tilt. Practice this for a few times.
Maintain the posture and spine line
The throat zone and the Vishuddha Chakra energies can be put into imbalance when the neck is improperly aligned with the spine. So, one should always keep one’s neck in line with the spine. This would avoid neck strain and hyperextension of neck / throat. This should be followed even while performing yoga postures.
Writing journals and diaries
Whatever we write in a journal or diary as a practice is what we truly feel. It is a transparent and unfiltered language of our inner selves. This helps in cultivating the capacity to listen to ourselves. It is an honest introspection. This practice also connects the two zones along which this chakra operates – the heart and the mind, and would connect these two zones in a healthy way.
Gemstones which heal Vishuddha Chakra
– Lapis lazuli
– Turquoise
– Aquamarine
– Kyanite
– Azurite
– Sodalite
– Blue lace agate
– Blue chalcedony
– Blue apatite
– Amazonite
Foods which heal Vishuddha Chakra
– Blueberries
– Blackberries
– Lemon
– Raw honey
– Herbal tea
– Coconut water
– Apples
– Pears
– Plums
– Kelp
– Dragon fruits
– Wheatgrass
Essential oils for Vishuddha Chakra Healing
– Jasmine essential oil
– Sage oil
– Cypress oil
– Peppermint oil
– Eucalyptus
– Clove oil
– Tea tree oil
– Lavender oil
– Chamomile oil
Sadguru Version
According to Sadguru – Vishuddha or Vishuddhi means filter. Vishuddha Chakra, when active, would filter everything. Wrong thoughts, emotions, ideas, energy or impulse are all different kinds of poisons for the mind. They can enter unfiltered into our minds and poison our life. Vishuddha Chakra acts like a filter for these poisons and saves us from all these influences. Whatever happens around you will not have an impact once the Vishuddha Chakra gets active and in the process you will be established within yourself. This will make you all powerful.
You will be at a different level of competence when you master your Vishuddha Chakra and you will be considered as super human by those around you. Adiyogi, whose throat is blue in color, is a representative of that. He is also called as Vishakantha, Neelakantha – which describes him as embodiment of Vishuddhi.
If your Vishuddhi Chakra becomes active, you will get such immence energy capabilities that will allow you to create many things. You can transmit something and transform the situations around when you have mastery over Vishuddhi Chakra
When one’s energies are centered in Vishuddhi, one develops an electric blue aura. This is the reason why all the very active, capable beings of the past – such as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and of course Lord Shiva have always been described as blue-bodied in India.
If you want to be realized and be active, you need a blue aura, which means you need the Vishuddhi to be active. Otherwise it is impossible for you to act in ways that are beyond normal capability.
The symbolism of a blue body indicates dynamism between sweetness of emotion and discernment of mind. You can have sweetness of emotion and discernment of mind only if your Vishuddhi is active, if you are blue-bodied. You can play with the world whichever way you want and still not be touched by it.
Other Points of Interest related to Vishuddha Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra is a cosmic bridge
According to some experts, Vishuddha Chakra is the cosmic bridge between our hearts and our mind. The balance between the heart and mind is brought about by a healthy Vishuddha Chakra. It is our responsibility to keep our heart and mind balanced, individually and relatively. We need to have a balance of our emotions and thoughts and keep them demarcated.
Speech and communication – gift of many chakras
Though speech and effective communication is dependent on the balance of Vishuddha Chakra, the other chakras also contribute towards this purpose. Anahata Chakra – heart chakra teaches us how to speak with compassion. On the other hand Manipura Chakra – the navel chakra teaches us to speak up for our truth and makes us capable of the same. When all these chakras are balanced and operate in connection to each other, our communication will be the best. While communicating one should never forget the other part of it, ‘the importance of patient listening’. The health of Vishuddha Chakra is put to an imbalance when one is involved in lying and gossiping. On the other hand, one would attain spiritual wisdom and profound knowledge when Vishuddha Chakra is balanced and is in harmony.
Meditate in silence
Meditating in silence would have a healing effect on Vishuddha Chakra. One should sit comfortably on a chair or even cross-legged on the floor in a place where there is not disturbance, by keeping the spine straight. One needs to visualize a blue colored lotus blooming at his or her throat and meditate on it. One can master this gradually with practice. While meditating, one can simultaneously chant the Bija Mantra of Vishuddha Chakra – ‘HAM’. Meditating while visualizing anything blue is welcome and is healing for throat chakra.
Spiritual meaning of Vishuddha or Vishuddhi
Some have also termed it as Vishuddhi. Vishuddha means clean or clear. Some have also split the term Vishuddha as Visha which means poison or impurities and Shuddhi which means purification. Vishuddha or Vishuddhi means the chakra, when balanced would purify poisons or impurities. Summing up its meaning, a balanced Vishuddha Chakra would help in clearing the mind from impure thoughts or words and would also encourage one to speak from his or her higher self and would act as a filter and would avoid one from speaking offensive / poisonous words which would harm others. This chakra would also bring in purity and compassion to our expressions and would enable us to do that truthfully using different means of expression.
Vishuddha Chakra, in its state of serene balance, would influence all forms of expressions including poetry, writing, singing and dancing, speaking, painting, visual arts and many more since it is also the ‘creativity centre of the body’.
According to various schools of Yoga, Vishuddha Chakra is the seat of the astral body. It forms the gateway between the physical and astral body. It is possible for us to raise our consciousness to a higher level only through the medium of this chakra, that too when it is balanced.
It is also said that the sixteen petals of the lotus flower representing Vishuddha Chakra represent sixteen siddhis or super-natural powers, one siddhi per each petal. Some schools also opine that these petals represent sixteen days taken for the half moon to grow into a full moon. On the other hand, the half-moon is yet another symbol of Vishuddha Chakra and represents emotions, change and female principle.
