Fifth Chakra

The fifth chakra as we move up the spine is Vishuddha, or the Throat Chakra. It is located, as you may have guessed, at the throat, and corresponds to the thyroid gland. As we move up to the final three chakras, the "elements" associated with them become a bit more esoteric. The "element" associated with Vishuddha Chakra is sound, and the chakra governs hearing and speaking. Having a balanced throat chakra will lead to effective communication and understanding. This chakra is the first of the "higher chakras," or "higher triangle," moving away from bodily concerns and into the realm of mind. An unbalanced Vishuddha Chakra can lead to feelings of guilt, which can block the latent awakening in the mind that your spiritual or yogic journey had been leading to. Once we work through the throat chakra and break through guilty feelings, the highest chakras of the third eye and crown-associated with wisdom and meditation- can be activated. To stimulate the fifth chakra, practice mantras, and the asanas that put pressure on the thyroid-Bridge Pose, Shoulderstand, and Fish Pose.

Thanks to the groundbreaking work of Anodea Judith for much of this information.