Embodying the chakras part 4 - Strong neck - Clear expression

Physically and mentally I want to see you as free as possible. Freedom here, referring to a body that is flexible, reliable, aligned and devoid of niggling tensions. Mentally, it’s having a mind (and in this case, a voice) that has integrity, clarity and strength.

From this place, you can:

• Be active in life
• Be responsive
• Enjoy your movement
• Heal from injuries
• Stand your ground
• Speak your opinion
• Express the right words to the right people at the right time!
• Take responsibility for your words/actions

In this series of clusters, we now reach the 5th chakra which brings us to the neck/throat region of the body.  It’s a natural progression from last week’s third chakra, where the classes involved exercise, breath and awareness from the solar plexus and navel region.

The neck is an interesting part of the spine that has more flexibility than the thoracic and lumber regions so it’s strange when so many of us get ‘stiff in the neck’.

Well, as usual our tensions are rarely purely physical, so with the writings below (and suggested classes from the Dojiva archive) we have considerations for physiology and psychology.

By the end of the week (but of course it may take longer), I am hoping that your neck feels more comfortable in daily life and that your self expression and speech become more clear and confident.

Are you ready to project?

When balanced at the throat chakra, you have the ability to project your voice and express opinion from a place of truth. Whether in the home, socially or at a business meeting, you have effective and clear communication.

Some people are born with loud and confident voices, their parents had big voices, they’re fearless when speaking publicly and are often the ‘life of the party’. Yet is this person in balance? If they can listen as well as they talk, then yes and they could be a source of inspiration.

Expressing feelings and speaking the truth are vital qualities for a free mind and a comfortable body and can be the ultimate therapy for healing trauma. This point really can’t be overstated and communicating with the right people can bring support where it’s needed most.

Yet don’t we also need to be the listeners too?

Can we get quiet enough to hear the voice of the quiet ones and that includes ourselves with those intuitive subtle messages (instincts) from within? Sometimes the biggest messages make the smallest sound.

It is rare that we need to go to extremes of expression but knowing your own range is important and something you can develop. And, there maybe times in life that you are called upon to be really loud (chi punching in a self defence class) or really quiet (deep meditation).

However, in most areas of life, for effective communication, you don’t need to be loud to be heard. You just need to be present and authentic.

What does an imbalanced throat chakra feel like?

When imbalanced here, you’ll be more likely to develop recurring throat, neck and thyroid issues. 

On a phycological level, you might be shy, get choked up easily, worry about what others think about your opinion and be prone to being miss-understood. Also, fear is associated with the 5th chakra and why people sometimes hold their throat in moments of stress. 

And, you maybe you’re one of the many who develop a stiff neck which can have associations with being over self-opinionated and therefore find it hard to see the perspective from another’s point of view.

What can I do now? Here’s six considerations:

1. First up, be sure to join in with every class this week, starting with ???? which helps
2. In terms of fear and anxiety, seek support from relatives, friends or professionals. The right enquiry and dialogue can help you to recognise and release uncomfortable feelings that could be holding you back from voicing your truth and finding freedom.
3. If you have an illness located around the throat, it maybe that you need medical advice and deeper research/testing to find the root cause. This could involve lifestyle changes to diet, sleep, exercise, stress management, meds, supplements, etc.
4. When considering the comfort of your neck, you need to be aware of your whole alignment which starts at the ankles! So, be sure to stand, sit and walk well this week. 
5. The simple act of journaling can help reveal and resolve negative thoughts and if necessary, when appropriate speak those words (with compassion) to others.
6. Other fun ideas to release neck tension and discover your voice include humming, chanting and/or singing! So, why not play some of your favourite music at full volume and sing along?

How about some suggestions for a daily mantra?

”I am ready to express myself”

“I can listen to and can be heard by others”

“My neck is supple and strong”

”I can heal from… xyz”

Or, words that fit best for you.

* * * *

That’s it for this week, thanks for reading.

Take care

Danny

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