This is the fifth in the series of blog posts focusing on the seven main chakras and in this blog we look at the fifth chakra – the throat chakra.
The throat chakra is the gateway between the lower chakras (root, solar plexus, sacral and heart) and the upper chakras (the brow and the crown). It is the chakra through which we express the creativity we have garnered in our sacral chakra, the identity formed in the solar plexus chakra and the love and truth from our heart chakra.
In the fifth chakra we seek and share the truth. The throat chakra is about communication and self-expression; we find our own voice and express it with truth. We learn to listen to others and in return we are also heard.
Below is a summary of the some of the main attributes of the throat chakra:
Chakra: Throat
Sanskrit name: Visudha (purification)
Location: Centre of the throat
Colour: Sky blue
Element: Ether/akasha
Subtle body: Etheric body
Vowel: Eee
Sense: Sound/hearing
Challenge: Lies
Twinned with: Sacral chakra
Basic rights: To speak and be heard with truth
Physical issues: Throat, Ears, mouth, nose, teeth, gums, shoulders, neck, thyroid and parathyroid glands
Emotional issues: Communication, self-expression, authenticity, honesty, listening and speaking
What are the signs of a healthy throat chakra?
When the throat chakra is in balance we are easily able to listen to others. We express ourselves, our thoughts, feelings and ideas with ease. When we have a healthy throat chakra we are able to live authentically and with integrity. We are creative, exploring new ways of approaching life and seeing infinite possibilities. Our bodies and minds are connected and in balance, our voices are clear and we have a good sense of timing and rhythm.
What can affect your throat chakra?
An environment of secrets, lies or mixed messages will affect the throat chakra. Those brought up in a family where things ‘should not be discussed’, secrets should be kept and the truth not told may result in a closed throat chakra. Being unable to communicate your truth will result in repressed emotions, blocking this chakra. Children who were told they should be ‘seen and not heard’ or who were surrounded by shouting and yelling or by an alcoholic family or authoritarian parents may well have issues with this chakra. Any kind of verbal abuse or fear of speaking or expression will also cause blocks in the throat.
What are the symptoms of an out-of-balance throat chakra?
If your throat chakra is out of balance you may experience a wide range of physical and emotional issues:
Physical manifestations of an out-of-balance throat chakra are:
Thyroid problems
Sore throat, lump in throat
Tonsillitis
Laryngitis
Tooth ache
Sensitive gums
Mouth ulcers
Pain, tension or inflexibility in neck or shoulders
Earaches
Hearing problems
Pain or conditions of ear, nose and throat
Toxicity
Weak voice
Stuttering
Tightness of jaw
Emotional manifestations are:
Inability to communicate
Inauthentic
Lacking in integrity
Struggle to listen
Unable to express self
Dishonest
Afraid of hearing or speaking truth
Repressed emotions
Doubting others
Lying
Depression
Feeling isolated or misunderstood
Talks too much
Always interrupting
Fear of speaking
Difficulty putting feelings into words
Shyness
Excessively critical
Speaking without thinking
Seeking approval
Fear of criticism or judgement
How to support and heal your throat chakra
There are many ways you can help to support and heal your throat chakra:
Singing and sound healing As the 'sense' of the throat chakra is hearing, try healing with music and sound. Play or listen to musical instruments or start singing. Or listen to sounds (there are many CDs and podcasts available of relaxing noises) or buy a tibetan singing bowl - these are also great for clearing blocked energy from spaces like homes and offices.
Inner child work
Working with your inner child can help you support the throat chakra. Children naturally express themselves with truth (until such time as they are taught not to). Learning about your inner child can help you express and release blocked emotions you didn't express at the time.
Letter writing Writing letters is another way of releasing and expressing trapped emotions from the past. You do not need to send the letter. You can write it to someone you have/had a difficult relationship with or to someone to whom you have not expressed your true feelings. Write everything in a letter and then burn it. This is a great way of releasing emotions that may be blocking your throat chakra.
Neck or shoulder massages If you enjoy a massage, ask a professional or a willing friend to give you a neck or shoulder massage - we can carry a lot of tension in this area, particularly if we have problems with our throat chakras.
Silence A simple one! Spend a bit of time in silence. Do this so that you can listen within - wait for any thoughts or emotions to surface from your body and your subconscious. If you find it hard to concentrate in silence, be still and try and focus on any sounds you can hear (such as traffic on the road or the wind blowing).
Fragrances If you enjoy burning essential oils or using them in aromatherapy practices, try frankincense, chamomile, sandalwood, lavender, hyacinth, patchouli or white musk.
Crystals The following crystals can be carried in your pocket or bag, left under your pillow or next to your bath, or used in healing to support the throat chakra: blue quartz, turquoise, blue opal, sodalite, sapphire, lapis lazuli or aquamarine.
Yoga poses If you would like to support your throat chakra through yoga poses, try plow pose, fish pose, cobra pose, or camel pose.
Affirmations Affirmations can be helpful and, for the throat chakra try:
I am open, clear and honest in my communications
I communicate my feelings with ease
I express myself creatively
I listen to my body and my feelings
I know my truth
I live authentically and with integrity
I am creative and expressive
I hear and speak the truth
Colours Blue is the colour of the throat chakra. To support this chakra, eat blue foods - hard to come across admittedly but try blueberries and blackberries. Wear blue clothes and surround yourself at work or home with blue objects.
Visualisations/meditation Try the following exercise to open your throat chakra:
Close your eyes, take some deep breaths and relax. Focus on the centre of your throat. Begin to sense a blue light in this area. Imagine it growing and expanding slowly. As it grows and expands the light gets brighter and brighter. Picture it spreading out from your throat in front, behind and to the side of you. Keep expanding the light as far as you can, imagining it filling the whole room and beyond. You may want to say a mantra to yourself such as ‘I speak my truth’. Relax into the intensity of the light for a few minutes. Then let it slowly reduce in size and brightness until it falls comfortably back into your throat. Take a few more deep breaths and open your eyes.
Work on other chakras No chakra works in isolation. They all affect each other. The throat chakra is paired with the sacral chakra and a healer may choose to work on these chakras at the same time to achieve maximum affects.
See a qualified energy healer You may wish to see a qualified energy healer who can help you work through any blockages in your chakra, and release them. Find out more about my energy healing sessions in Newbury and Thatcham in Berkshire. I can also offer distance healing upon request.
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