Journey Through the Chakras “Vishuddha” Throat Chakra
Hi everyone! Thanks for sticking around and continuing the journey through the chakras with us. We’re up to the fifth chakra! Now, we’ve moved into the upper three chakras, which are the most spiritual of the seven. The throat chakra is the chakra of spiritual rebirth and is the bridge from the lower, physical chakras to the higher spiritual/mental ones.
The throat chakra, or “vishuddha” chakra in Sanskrit, is located at the center of the neck. It acts as the individual’s force of expression and individual truth, both internally and externally. A balanced throat chakra helps to set us free from the fear of judgement or need for approval from others. This chakra helps us to embrace our originality and unique individual experiences in the world. The throat chakra is responsible for communication, the expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas, a healthy internal dialogue, and striking a balance between speaking and listening, as well as the seeking and sharing of truth, social skills, and personal integrity and honor. It also works closely with the sacral or 2nd chakra: while the sacral chakra governs creativity, it is the throat chakra that allows the individual
to express those creative ideas, rather than stifling them for fear of others’ opinions.
Its color is blue and generally correlates to the ages of 29 to 35, and governs the throat, thyroid, mouth,
sinuses and upper respiratory system. Its mantra is HANG and the element associated with it is sound.
When the throat chakra is out of alignment can lead to a variety of issues throughout the body, mind, and emotions. For one thing, ailments like laryngitis, hoarseness, sore throats, tension and pain in the neck, shoulders, or jaw, difficulties within the thyroid, problems with the teeth, gums, nose, ears, lower sinuses or upper respiratory system could arise if the throat chakra is blocked. I had sore throats and strep throat every year growing up and looking back on it, I know I was holding in so many things I wanted and needed to say, out of fear of reprisal or people just not liking me, and my body manifested that with throat and later, thyroid issues, both of which I no longer deal with.
Emotionally, you might feel shy, insecure, or socially anxious around others, choose not to speak at all, or be unable to express oneself. Conversely, someone might dominate conversations, complain excessively, gossip, speak aggressively or without thinking, not allow others to express themselves, or need to always be right. Someone who “ sucks all the air out of a room” comes to mind.
So, what can we do to bring it back into balance?
A variety of yoga asanas like Salamba Sarvangasana ( Shoulder Stand), Halasana (Plow) , Matsyasana (Fish), seated cat-cow, and neck circles can help to target and open the throat chakra. Similarly, every time we practice and engage in Ujjayi breathing during movement, we use the breath to bring energy to the throat area, which can also help to align the throat chakra. And some useful mantras for meditation are:
- I live and speak my truth.
- My voice is unique and valuable.
- I freely and honestly use my voice to express myself.
- I communicate clearly.
- I know when to speak and I know when to listen.
- I advocate for myself and I stand up for what I believe.
Since the throat chakra’s element is sound, use sound in any way possible. Listen to things like singing bowls or nature sounds while meditating or doing yoga, and whether by laughing, shouting into a pillow, humming, or singing in the car or the shower, using your voice is most important thing. And, once balanced, you feel peaceful, able to speak your truth, communicate well and be a good listener. Doubts and removed and negativity dissolves, leaving clarity, consciousness and confidence.
So this week’s homework is try and use one of the mantras during EITHER your mediation practice or on a nice walk, bike ride or swim. The more you say the mantras, whether out loud or silently, the more they will seep in. And bonus points for singing really loud in your car or your shower this week. Have fun with it!
Until next week- see you on your mats,
Jessica