Class Theme- week 1 Jan 2016- Find Your Voice

A new year brings our next chakra.  We enter the higher chakras with Vissudha, which translates as purification.  The element sound, this energy centre resides at the throat with vital air udana.  Our journey expands upward and outward, as we find our voice and express our creativity.  We explore our right to speak and be heard.    

This energy centre is a bridge between our inner and outer experience but also between our mind and body.  Through communication we find what resonates with us, and use our voice to help realise our goals.  Words help us make sense of our thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others.  We feel positive energy when we use our voice to speak truth but avoid hurt.  Our energy and those around us is conserved when we communicate clearly and concisely. 

To be heard there must be air, so full and free breathing enhances the voice.  In classes we explore throat chakra mantra and notice our voice, hear when we run out of air and feel the effects of the vibrations created within us by sound.  Asanas work to free up neck and shoulders, as well as activating shoulder stability by deploying the muscles around the shoulder blades, whilst maintaining softness at the tops of the shoulders, the neck and jaw.  It can be tricky to isolate work in one area without drawing tension into others, so we notice this and use our breath to assist. 
Through our practice we experience the interrelationship of body, breath and mind, influencing and influenced by each other. We create space and time to hear our inner voice as it guides us on our path of well being.  So listen, and trust in you.