THROAT CHAKRA (5th Chakra)

The fifth stop on the chakra journey is the Throat Chakra.  This centre is located at the throat and involves communication, expression and creativity.  Physically, we'll focus our practice on releasing tension from the shoulders and neck.  Energetically, we'll focus on communication from the aspect of deep listening.  What sounds can we hear from our breath, from our body and from our mind as we flow through our practice?  Do we take the time to listen to hear what our body, breath and mind are trying to tell us?

Throat Chakra
Sanskrit	Vishuddha (purification)
Location	at the throat
Color	blue
Element	ether
Symbol	oval egg
Purpose	expression, deep listening, creativity
Verb	I SPEAK
Demon	lies
Yoga Postures (to support & open centre)	- Matsyasana (fish) - Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) - Halasana (plow)

Akash Mandala Pranayama for the Throat Chakra
*** this breath technique comes from the Gitananda yoga tradition

This technique involves a simple in and out of the breath done to a count:
     - inhale for a count of 6
     - exhale for a count of 6

Continue this pattern for at least 9 rounds focusing on the throat centre and the colour blue.  You can either decrease the count to 5 or 4, or increase the count to 7, 8, or 9.  Just ensure that the inhale and the exhale have the same count.  For an audio recording that includes a visualization for the throat chakra that can be used with this breath, you can visit my site by clicking here.

Happy breathing and allow yourself to deeply listen for all of those sounds that come from within.

See you on our mats!

Roxanne