Vishuddha - The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is in the hollow of the throat.  The throat is between the head and the heart – between heaven and earth - it is the meeting point between the two higher spiritual chakras and the four lower physical chakras. It is the chakra of communication, where we can speak our inner thoughts, blend the inner and the outer, the above with the below, Heaven with Earth – here love become song and compassion becomes speech. 

A healthy throat chakra enhances self-expression and openness to the ideas of others. When it is in balance it purifies all of the chakras and brings harmony into your being.  It is an enormously powerful chakra and it is important to keep it in balance so that all of the other chakras are optimised.

The throat chakra is connected to the idea of vocation or calling.  When this chakra is brought into balance, many people suddenly discover a fresh outlook on what they want to do in life.  They may change their priorities or they may feel a literal vocation calling them to an entirely new profession or way of life.

When it is balanced, you discover your authentic voice and can be yourself in all situations.  Your communication is clear and untainted, and you communicate to others with compassion, kindness, honesty, truthfulness and steadiness.  You also have the ‘space’ to see yourself clearly and can let the divine wisdom of the Universe guide each moment of your life.

A healthy throat chakra ensures self-expression in every sense; being able to put forward your ideas, while listening to the perspectives of others in an open and positive way.  When you come to terms with your own unique inner self and its intuitions and instincts, you know this chakra is working, as it should.  If you are dogmatic, refuse to listen to other’s advice or you get bogged down in minor details rather than addressing the heart of an issue, you need to work on this chakra.

Giving your word is another way in which the throat chakra expresses itself.  Those with strong throat chakras are reliable and mean what they say.  They are able to make commitments to other people, follow a spiritual path, aspire to high ideals, and can sometimes make huge changes in their lives if they instinctively know they should.

The theme of communication is of paramount importance to the throat chakra.  A closed or poorly functioning throat chakra can often be heard in a monotonous, droning voice.  Furthermore poor expression and communication can block this chakra.

An imbalanced throat chakra often means you feel defensive about your ideas, and threatened when others have different views.  You may be unwilling to voice your ideas at all, preferring to align yourself to ready-made ideologies.  Alternatively, you may never stop talking, but without saying anything important.

As the centre of communication, what was not said is important too.  Less is definitely more when it comes to talking and expressing yourself – this is true communication.  Say what you mean and mean what you say and speak only when you have something to say.  Don’t forget that words have power – they are thoughts made manifest.

An imbalanced throat chakra can leave you anxious and confused, not knowing which direction to take and fearful of taking a new path.  Sometimes you can even cling to a person, an idea or a way of life despite knowing it is damaging.  You might suffer with poor self-expression, both spoken or written, fear of powerlessness or lack of choice, no willpower and feelings of being out of control. 

An unhealthy throat chakra can bring physical imbalances such as thyroid issues, sore throats and laryngitis, disorders related to the jaw and mastication, ear infections, ulcers, facial problems, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and teeth and gum conditions. 

There are various things you can do to connect more fully with this centre:

·       Wear blue;

·       Wear turquoise around your neck;

·       Vedic chanting, chanting devotional mantra, Kirtan, singing, these can all help;

·       Writing a journal to express your feelings;

·       Neck and shoulder massage;

·       Yoga including postures such as Ustrasana (camel), Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Setu Bandhasana (bridge);

·       Brahmari breath – the bumble bee breath;

·       Ujaii breath – the victorious breath;

·       Ayurveda;

·       Reiki;

·       Bach floral remedies – dowse for the one for you;

·       Screaming into the wind!

Colour: Blue

Element: Space

Sense organ: Hearing

Yantra: Ham

Bija seed Mantra: Sixteen smoky purple petals and a pure blue circle representing space!

Related plexus and organs: Thyroid, parathyroid

Balanced attributes: Speak our truth with kindness, good listener, clear communication, creativity and self-expression

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Unable to express our needs clearly, shyness, compulsive talking, sore throat.