Continuing our conversation about the 5th chakra, Vishuddha - which is physically focused in the throat, neck, shoulders, thyroid, parathyroid glands, mouth, arms and hands. It governs our communication and is the link between emotion and thought.  The healthfulness of the 5th chakra is in relation to how honestly one expresses oneself.

 

How honestly do you express yourself with your words?, your actions? Even your attitudes?

 

Once again this brings us back to the idea of the importance of gentle awareness without judgment that yoga and meditation offers us.  How can we know our truth if we are not in tune to listening to it or if we are not in the conversation of finding it and living it?  This is precisely the backbone of the Calm Crew - through my yoga and meditation practices I have been able to find my true self and I am very aware when I am living and expressing it and when I am not.  The gentle awareness of my practices lets me know on a gut level when I am out of alignment and the discomfort of that space gives me the drive to do the work to get back on track.  This is what “doing” yoga actually means - it’s a matter of moving on the mat and opening up the channels in our bodies for sure but it is also equally important to put the teachings into action in our lives.  

 

An important tool for connecting with our true self is the part of this chakra which deals with sound, and specifically the use of mantras.  Mantras or repetitive sounds fall in the category of nurturing our 5th chakra. Man - mind, tra - protection.  “A mantra is a tool for protecting our minds from the traps of non-productive cycles of thought and action.  Mantras serve as focusing devices for making the mind one-pointed and calm.  A mantra is meant to wake the mind from its habitual sleep of ignorance.  Spoken aloud for a few minutes in the morning, an effective mantra can reverberate silently in the mind all day long, carrying with it the imprints of vibration, image and meaning.  With each reverberation, it is believed that the mantra is working its magic on the fabric of both mind and body, creating greater order and harmony.” Anodea Judith, PhD.

 

We have created 5 personal intentions for ourselves the last 5 months, use them not only to protect your mind but also to wake your thoughts up and to get out of the non-productive cycles of thought.  This will free up space in your mind for your true self to come through.  What better way to do this than to take one of the recorded yoga classes, listen to a meditation or just silently (or out loud) repeat your mantras!

 

Gurumukh wrote - “These kinds of studies only reconfirm what I know to be true from almost 30 years of working with people.  Sound current, meditation, yoga, breath patterns - these various techniques do work in reducing tension, strengthening the body, and comforting the soul.  When people begin to use them on even the smallest level, their lives change. I see it everyday.  In fact, it has been the joy of my life to be a part of spreading the word, showing students how to restore that natural balance of serenity that is within every one of us.  Discipling yourself to do something that will change your brain pattering may not prove to be an easy or pain-free process.  There’s always going to be a part of your subconscious that will fight the healing, fight letting go of the old.  Being stuck in negative patterns is more painful.  Growth is never pain-free."

 

You are what you say. When you say I am…..these words resonate strongly in our bodies - be mindful of your words.  Use your 5 intentions to help you, and not fight with yourself!