Welcome back.
Find a seated position for today's practice.
We'll be starting with a modified cat cow movement.
Place your hands on the knees,
Palms facing down,
So that your grip can provide a bit of extra stability.
With each inhale,
Pull your shoulders back and tuck them down,
Allowing your chest to puff out.
And allow your gaze to follow suit,
Drifting up and back,
So that the heart and throat are fully exposed,
Free.
With each exhale,
Allow your head to follow your gaze downward,
Until your chin touches the chest.
Round the spine and bring the shoulders in,
Pulling the belly inward as well to sink in lower,
Deeper into the position.
Follow this sequence for a few breath cycles.
Feel the difference between closed off and withdrawn,
Versus open and free.
The throat chakra is all about expression.
Spoken expression,
Creative expression,
Expression of our life's purpose.
Once we come to a place of self-acceptance,
We can live our lives with honesty,
Authenticity,
And integrity.
That may seem like such a foreign concept if you've spent the majority of your life hiding parts of yourself for fear of judgment.
When you know what it's like to feel unheard,
Misunderstood,
Undervalued,
Rejected.
When your voice has become overshadowed by the loud demands of the external world.
Hopefully what the cat-cow movement exercise has demonstrated is that there's a sense of liberation that comes from exposing the tender parts of ourselves.
There may have been a genuine need to retreat within ourselves at one point,
Yet far too often we hold onto that tendency more so out of fear and habit than true need.
It's time to let go of the fear and unveil ourselves.
Affirmations for the throat chakra include,
I clearly speak my needs.
I listen to my body and my feelings to know what my truth is.
When you take the time to achieve a sense of stability so that you can shift your focus to becoming very familiar with yourself,
Your emotions,
Preferences,
Experiences,
And wounds.
And you develop confidence in the self.
Certainty that everything that makes you an individual being is not only acceptable,
But beautiful and worthy.
You start healing from the internal damage inflicted by yourself and others.
From there,
You can simply start being.
Sing to your heart's content,
Aim for new heights,
Let go of toxicity,
Find joy in movement,
Speak your truth.
Pull the trigger on something you've been sitting on for a while.
Chase what inspires you.
Express yourself,
Much as the earth is an expression of life.
Take a moment to recall some of the most moving scenes you've ever personally witnessed.
The breathtaking sunsets,
The dazzling waterfalls,
Impressively towering trees,
Stars adorning the night sky as far as the eye can see.
The earth doesn't ask permission to reveal any part of itself.
It recognizes life as a gift and is unapologetic in its expression of that.
You as one of this earth's creations are a gift,
And you as well are allowed to show up in your fully authentic attire.
The only voice that should be influencing your life is the voice of your highest self.
Fear of judgment is irrelevant when your only objective as a mindful,
Authentic being is to let go of judgment and be your complete self in this present moment.
Let go of the need for validation from others.
Embrace yourself just as you are.
Place your palms together at the chest.
Just as you have made the commitment to continue showing up for yourself in this space,
Make a commitment to go forth into the world and allow your light to shine.
