Yogic Practices for Vishuddha Activation

Although vishuddha chakra, or fifth chakra, is given the least emphasis of all the chakras, its awakening is said to be the secret of youth as it spurs physical rejuvenation. Vishuddha can provide us with the proper understanding of the duality of life, higher discrimination, and healthy detachment.

About vishuddha

Vishuddha chakra is located directly behind the throat pit in the cervical plexus. The realm of vishuddha includes the throat, thyroid, vocal cords, cervical spine, mouth, teeth, and gums. Physical dysfunctions can manifest as thyroid issues, speech or voice problems, as well as gum or tooth issues.

Vishuddha is related to truthfulness and taking responsibility for one’s own actions. When it’s imbalanced, it can inhibit our personal expression and our decision-making.

Expressive asana

Shoulderstand

Sanskrit: Sarvangasana

Step by step:

1. Lie on your back with your legs together.
2. Place your arms alongside your body with your palms facing down.
3. Bend your knees, inhale, and lift your hips, supporting your lower back with both hands.
4. Reach your feet toward the sky and relax your toes.
5. Walk your hands down your back and draw your elbows close together.
6. Breathe slowly and deeply, holding the pose for 20 seconds to a minute.
7. To come out of Shoulderstand, lower your legs overhead in Plow pose. Place your hands flat on the floor and slowly roll all the way down.

Lion pose

Sanskrit: Simhasana

Step by step:

1. Sit with your legs folded underneath, toes untucked.
2. Open your knees wide and place your hands on the ground in between your thighs, fingers pointing toward you.
3. Roll your shoulders down your back and lengthen your spine. Close your eyes.
4. Take a big inhalation through your nose. Then open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and exhale with a smooth “ahhhhhh” sound, all the while looking upward with your eyes wide open. Repeat this four more times.
5. Release and rest for a few breaths in Thunderbolt pose (Vajrasana).

Activating pranayama

Victorious breath

Sanskrit: Ujjayi pranayama

Step by step:

1. Get comfortable in a meditation posture, eyes closed. Rest your hands on your lap.
2. Open your mouth wide and exhale as if you’re fogging up a mirror, slightly constricting your throat.
3. Close your mouth but maintain this breath as you breathe through your nose. Ujjayi pranayama is sometimes called “Darth Vader breath” because of the audible, whooshing-sound you make as you breath.
4. Continue for one to five minutes.

Rejuvenating mudra

Tongue lock

Sanskrit: Khechari mudra

Step by step:

1. Get comfortable in a meditative posture, with your eyes closed. Rest your hands on your lap.
2. Fold your tongue so that the backside rests against the roof of your mouth.
3. Glide the tip of your tongue toward the back of your throat but do not strain.
4. Constrict the back of your throat and breathe through your nose in Ujjayi pranayama.
5. Continue for a couple of minutes, releasing the mudra when your tongue feels tired.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati explains in Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha that this mudra rejuvenates the entire body. It’s related to amrita: the nectar of life. Amrita is secreted from a point in the head called bindu. By practicing this mudra, the nectar is collected at vishuddha chakra for full-body replenishment.

References:

• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 2008.
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Kundalini Tantra. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 1984.