The Throat Chakra or Vishuddah, is the energy centre that gives us the power to express ourselves. Through this chakra, our feelings and emotions are transformed into expressions. The Throat Chakra deals with sound in both the physical and non-physical levels, it communicates and mediates all emotions and feelings and gives us space from “Self” and enables inner reflection.
Location: The Throat Chakra is located at the centre of your throat, where your clavicle meet and form a “V”. It also opens outward.
Associated Body Parts: This chakra is associated with your Thyroid gland, throat, vocal cords, mouth, teeth, ears, parathyroid, voice, jaw, tongue, neck, nape of neck, shoulders, lymphs, and menstrual cycle.
Essential Oils: Lavender, Sandalwood, Sage, Ylang Ylang
Colour: Blue; Gemstones: Turquoise, blue agate, aquamarine, chalcedony
Symbol: 16-Petaled Lotus; Element: Ethers
Mantra: HAM; Tone: G; Type of Music: Opera
Associated Zodiac and Planets: Gemini, Taurus, Aquarius, Virgo; Mercury, Mars, Venus, Uranus
The Throat Chakra is the vessel for subtle energy and it can be harmed through physical, emotional trauma. It will shut down from grief, unexpressed feelings, anger and fear and can be damaged when we are dishonest. It is also damaged from substance abuse and eating disorders. All of these things can have a profound effect on the Throat Chakra and the energy flow from Throat to the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. In order for us to maintain a strong sense of self, we must remember to express our truths and learn to mean what we say.
Our integrity is is directly linked to the Throat Chakra and as we learn to mean what we say and stand by our word, people will pay attention and this will affect the way they perceive us and our integrity. As we commit to expressing our truths, our Throat Chakra will develop and expand and we will become stronger in ourselves, providing us with the energy to follow our purpose in life.
This chakra is directly related to our higher-selves and it is our job to tune in and listen to what it has to say. Being too busy to listen or gossiping about others will only drown out the higher-self. Listening carefully to the higher-self will further develop this chakra. Hearing positive things about ourselves has a profound power, saying affirmations out loud for example, can have an healing effect on us on all levels.
When we commit to expressing our truth, we are nurturing and expanding the Throat Chakra, but suppressing our truth by pushing down negative feelings, being polite and not saying what we feel will suppress this chakra. We have to remind our selves that sometimes it’s OK to go against the grain. If you believe something as your truth, you should always express it. We should also remember that we don’t always need to please others.
Physical problems related to the Throat Chakra are sore throat, laryngitis, deafness, tooth decay, gum problems, T.M.J., and cervical problems of the neck. It can also manifest as a thyroid problem. If your Throat Chakra is in balance, we will have a good balance of expression, silence and speech; we will know how to listen to our inner self and trust our intuition. An unbalanced chakra will find us unable to find full expression and we will be fearful of being judged and rejected.
So, how do you work with your Throat Chakra? Some excellent physical activities for our Throat Chakra include yoga, cranio-sacral therapy, expressive theatre, dance, qi gong and tai chi. Spiritual activities like chanting, silent retreats, fasting, prayer, meditation, singing and public speaking can also help us with Throat Chakra expansion.
Wearing blue and focusing on this chakra, imagining a light-filled wheel that is spinning slightly faster than your Heart Chakra will help you balance this chakra. Making use of gemstones or essential oils as mentioned in the Root Chakra post will also help. Choose the appropriate gemstones or essential oils from the list above to help you focus on the Throat Chakra instead.
Mantras that are good for your Throat Chakra would be something like: “I express my truth as creatively as possible” or “I share my feelings with ease and comfort.”
And of course, Reiki treatments will work on balancing all of your chakras.
Up next will be the Brow or Third Eye Chakra, which focuses on developing and cultivating a strong, independent mind.