This blog looks at Cakra #5 as one part of the whole system in building a road map to an integrative personality. This cakra is located at the throat center and thus known as the Throat Cakra and associated with the ability to express yourself. Let’s look at the “traps” or imbalances versus the “treasures” or gifts of a balanced cakra.
The 5th cakra is connected to your voice. We can witness the beauty of a talented, accomplished singer and be transported to a memory or a place through their sound. We can be in awe of public speakers who have the skill of inspiring others to come together for a higher cause or teach us in a way that creates passion to learn more. A skilled writer can capture our attention and bring images to life through their descriptions. These are talents that involve imagination, sound, and words. But to use your voice to communicate your authentic needs…that’s the art of expression.
How many of you have ever confused when to speak up and when to “zip up”? I must confess…yes, been there and done that! Many, many times! Understanding the difference between when I should use my voice and express my needs versus having the awareness as to when to be silent has been a evolutionary process that my practice supports. As a kid and young adult, I would often “stick my foot in my mouth” by saying too much or feel that I had to argue with someone to get my point across. In fact, I remember some of my elementary years were spent putting my “nose against the wall’ in the hallway because I was talking too much in class. Goodness! Upon further examination over the years and by working with my mentor, Chase Bossart, I learned that there is a strong need to feel seen and heard. My mentor gave me the right meditation object/s over a period of time that helped me create new patterns. The intention of these practices are part of the deeper work or “inner work” of yoga through meditation. By working with a breath-centric practice, I am able to be less impulsive and think before I speak. I want my words to be an extension of me and ones that land with kindness, compassion, while still honoring who I am at the core.
Cakra #5, or Vishuddha, is located at the throat center and is connected to the element of space, the sense of sound, the color of turquoise, and speech. When out of balance, the “traps” show up as thoughts of being self-focused or self-righteous. Communication can be agitated or repressed. This can look like “zipping up” when you need to speak up. It can also look like the example I gave above of me saying too much. I bet we can all relate to experiences where our communication did not serve us or others. My teacher, Gary Kraftsow, says “A lot of suffering in relationships can be avoided by clear communication.” So true!
When communication is clear, the “treasures” are seen in the qualities of expressing ourselves so that we can influence our life in a positive direction. We can speak about what is true for us in a calm and thoughtful manner. We may not need to be agreed with even because we have spoken from a place of authenticity. Isn’t that cool? As an Austin Yoga Therapist, my job is to help you reduce suffering on a multidimensional level. This includes how the body functions and moves to our physiology (such as how we sleep) to the way we view experiences and ourselves. Practices are designed with a student’s priorities and progress along with the student’s awareness and understanding.
It’s important to mention that nonverbal communication is every bit as powerful as the actual words. The way you turn in the direction of the person, make eye contact, and smile are examples that offer a sense of caring in your communication without ever saying a word. We can convey excitement and interest by simple nonverbal behaviors that help others to feel seen and heard. To listen to what’s being said by someone is also part of the art of expression.
So go ahead, “Express yourself!”