Finding Your Voice -- How Yoga Can Help

In real estate it's "location, location, location."

In life it's "communication, communication, communication."

Think about the challenges in your life -- I'll bet that somehow communication (or lackthereof) is involved. Perhaps it's something you're saying (or not saying), or it's that you can't vocalize your desires, or that you talk too much (and not listen enough) -- well, you get the idea.

Just last week I was inspired by a post over at the wonderful BlissChick blog (thank you Christine for all of the fabulous content!!!). Christine devoted a whole week of poses to chakras. But, no, she didn't get into technical descriptions of the subtle body system -- instead, she took the concepts of chakras and made them real and relatable. I highly suggest that you check out the whole series of posts, which you can find links to here. I'll be honest -- when I first heard about chakras, I did the whole "oh-brother eye roll." Then I studied them more in-depth, I was amazed by the correlation between chakras and major bodily functions. And I was even more amazed by how often a medical condition in one of the chakra areas usually has more than physical causes.

While I enjoyed Christine's journey through all of the chakras, one stood out for me -- the throat chakra. A throat chakra issue has cropped up in my life recently, and watching my reaction (or lackthereof in my case) in this situation has been quite the learning experience. This past weekend I created my own little yoga retreat right at home and I was not surprised to see that the theme of communication came up quite a bit during my reflection times. Finding one's voice isn't always easy but neither is giving it wings.

I've often struggled with asking for what I want and/or need and it's become clear how this inability has impacted my life. Perhaps that's why I've always been drawn to kirtan. I feel a need to and a joy in using my voice. This year I've also started a mantra practice and incorporated chanting into my yoga practice. For me it's not just about finding my voice but using it. These wonderful yogic tools help me to do just that.

Here are a few of my favorite throat-stimulating practices:

• One of my favorite pranayama is the humming breath. You simply inhale through the nose and then exhale (mouth closed) making a humming sound. Sometimes I even like to put my index fingers into my ears so I can hear as well as feel the vibration.
• Kirtan -- it's not uncommon for me to fire up my iTunes and start chanting along to one of the many kirtan/chant CDs in my library. It's a great way to take a break in the middle of the day and rock out. I also try to attend as many live kirtans as I can. Heck, there's even a Facebook group devoted to Kirtan.
• Bedtime calming chant -- I like to chant ma around bed time because it's soothing and because chanting lengthens the exhale, this practice is also quite calming. One of my favorite practices is to lie in savasana and chant Ma 3 times (first time once, second time twice, and third time three times) into each area/part of my body. Usually I'll start with the feet, then the legs, abdomen, stomach, heart, throat, eyes, and head. By the time I'm done, I'm relaxed and ready to sleep.
• Neck rolls -- Christine mentioned these and I second that. Head rolls are great for releasing tension and stimulating the glands. I try to practice neck rolls every day.
• Laughter yoga -- I'll often break out into a HO, HO, HA, HA, HA. It works my throat and it lightens my mood, so this chant does double duty.

Sometimes I play hide and seek with my voice. These days it's found more than it's hidden. But, as is my yoga, it's a practice. A big thank you to Christine for reminding me to let my voice be heard.

Namaste!

Comments

[Diane Cesa]

Hi Emma -- Great minds think alike!

[Diane Cesa]

Hi Ananda! Thank you for your comment. I love mantras and I use them in my practice quite a bit (I also give them to my clients if they enjoy chanting). I've added a few new ones. My teacher recently gave me a practice that includes the chant mitraya namah. It's wonderful! Chanting lengthens the exhale, which induces relaxation. Ahhhhhh! Again, thank you for your comment Ananda. I'm so glad you're enjoying the content.

[Diane Cesa]

Hi David D -- Thank you for your comment. It's funny that you should mention Marshall Rosenberg. I'm currently reading a book from one of his students (Kelly Bryson) called "Don't be Nice, Be Real." I'm enjoying it and I've looked into Marshall's work. I'll have to read NVC. I love the concept! Thank you for mentioning it!

[Diane Cesa]

Hi Christine! Thanks for your comment. And you're very welcome! Keep up that wonderful blogging you're doing over at BlissChick -- I absolutely love it!

[David D]

I recently read "Non violent communication" by Marshall Rosenberg (in Dutch), a very interesting on communication and finding out what the needs are of yourself and people around you.

[blisschick]

Diane, a big thank you to YOU! Once again, your generous spirit in relation to other bloggers/writers is such an inspiration to me (which I will mimic on Thursday this week!). Right now, during this election season, there is so much negativity and "wrong"-speech on the internet, and you remind me that there is still this stronger vein of positivity running through it all. Thank you! peace & bliss to you, Diane, during this Harvest Moon!

[Ananda Leeke]

Thanks for this post and your insights on how to use mantra chanting in our home practice. I love the chanting of Ma in savasana. How beautiful. Also, thanks for hipping me to Bliss Chick's blog. Your blog is yummy yoga soul food. Many blessings. Om Shanti. Ananda

[Emma]

Great post!

These things have been on my mind lately, too.