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This week we’re moving up in our exploration of the chakras. If you missed previous posts, chakras translate as the Sanskrit term for “wheel,” describing wheels of energy emanating from the base of the spine, all the way up to the crown of our head. Imbalances or blockages in one chakra can have implications on other chakras, not just locally. The centuries old concept of chakras has been substantiated also in western medicine, recognizing the concept of energy channels that flow throughout our body and impact on everything from our physical health, to our mental and emotional stability. Even if you’re an eastern medicine newbie, it’s important to connect to this part of our wellness on an ongoing basis. Everything around us is energy, whether it’s found in living organisms or inanimate objects. Today we’ll explore the throat chakra, also known as the Vishudda chakra in Ayurveda. For previous chakras, please browse through previous posts to make sure you don’t miss out on the valuable information found there about balancing each energy center of the body. Everything is connected and in holistic health, we keep coming back to that concept of “wholeness” or “oneness”.

There are believed to be 114 different chakras but experts focus on the seven primary chakras. The throat chakra is the fifth primary chakra, found at the base of the throat, in the area above your collarbone. This chakra is all about, you guessed it, our ability (or lack thereof) to communicate. Specifically, the throat chakra is also responsible for our self-expression and in particular, how we present ourselves and our personal truth to the world. Governing all aspects of communication to not only others but also to ourselves, the throat chakra is a vital tool in how we connect with others and honor our own uniqueness. Humans are designed to crave connection, and studies using mothers and their newborns show that ruptured connection is the greatest source of distress in babies. We get better at handling our emotions as we get older, yet the need for deep and meaningful connections with those around us remains a vital factor in our ability to thrive on a personal level, and as part of wider society.

Tellingly, a blocked or out of balance throat chakra can manifest in some pretty distressing emotional symptoms. When out of balance, you might find yourself habitually lying, feeling fear and doubt about the intentions of others, or find yourself stammering or struggling to communicate genuinely. Along with communication difficulties, you will likely suffer feelings of isolation and frustration at being misunderstood. Being such a pivotal part of our self-expression, happiness and connection to the world, you may have symptoms of other chakras being out of balance, as the throat chakra blocks the energy flow to and from the other centers. Physical symptoms when the throat chakra is out of balance may include sore throats, tight jaws, stiff neck, and headaches.

Conversely, a balanced and open throat chakra allows your true self to be expressed, and facilitates feelings of connection to family and friends. It allows the energy from the other charkas to be expressed. As humans we need to be able to communicate our ideas, beliefs and emotions freely in order to thrive. So how can we restore or maintain balance and encourage our freedom of self-expression?

What we eat doesn’t just affect our physicality, it affects our emotions, mood and energy. Since we are one whole, it’s important to create balance throughout the system. What we put into our body will affect our energy on many different levels. The throat chakra is supported by eating a combination of foods from the water and the earth. Think soups, stews, fruits with high water content like watermelon, apples and pears. Sea vegetables like dulse, nori, wakame and blue algae encourage the water element into the throat chakra. This chakra is aligned to the color blue, so blue-hued foods like blueberries, blackberries, plums, and purple grapes are said to support the that chakra.

When you release tension in the areas of your body that are near a chakra, you help restore the flow of energy in that region. Yoga poses like Shoulder Stand, plow and fish help release the neck muscles. Always prepare and enable the energy flow in the throat and neck region by warming up with simple neck stretches. Neck stretches are great for releasing tension in the not just the neck, but also the shoulders, jaw and upper back. Take small breaks throughout your day while sitting on a chair with both feet on the ground. Sit straight, aligning the head above the neck and as you exhale, drop your chin down to your chest keeping the back straight and shoulders relaxed.  On the next inhale, bring your chin back to parallel with the floor. Then exhale and tilt your head towards the right, bringing your right ear towards the right shoulder keeping the shoulders relaxed. The ear and shoulder don’t need to touch, just feel the stretch on the left side of the neck and then change sides, bringing your left ear towards the left shoulder. Always remember to keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed, and keep breathing slowly and deeply. Work your way up to holding each stretch for thirty seconds.

The throat chakra benefits hugely from a practice known as lion’s breath in yoga. It’s notably effective at expelling stagnant energy, releasing stress and stimulating the muscles of the throat and mouth. Sit comfortably with eyes closed and take a deep inhale through the nose. Then open your eyes and mouth as wide as you can and stick out your tongue while you exhale deeply from the back of the throat. It should look like you’re trying to make a lion’s roar but with a hissing sound as you push the air out from the back of the throat. You’ll feel instantly lighter, and more relaxed. You may even find yourself smiling.

Invite the color blue into your life through the energy of stones. Stones with great vibrations for the throat chakra include lapis lazuli, turquoise, aquamarine, and celestite, which may help balance your throat chakra. In particular, wearing a pendant of one of these stones as a necklace may be especially healing for the throat chakra.

Using our voice is especially important in balancing the throat chakra. Anytime we can sing, hum, or better yet, experience a sound bath to feel that sound healing vibration. It will help immensely in allowing the throat chakra to thrive. Sound vibrations are ancient tools believed to tap into currents of energy that exist in the universe, so whether you create your own using your voice or seek out experiences at your local yoga studio, they’ll be equally beneficial. To experience your own sound vibration benefits, try the hummingbird breath. Take a deep breath in, close your eyes and gently close your ears by pressing the soft fleshy ear flap in the middle of the ear. As you exhale make a steady “mmmm” sound while maintaining a slow gentle exhale keeping teeth barely touching together. Your lips should be closed the entire time as this breath is performed only through the nose. Similarly, a mantra is perfect for opening and vocalizing through the throat charka. A bija mantra is a one-syllable sound that, when vocalized, helps activate and balance the energy of a particular chakra. Each chakra has a unique bija mantra or sound, as they are the sounds of the chakras. The throat chakra’s bija mantra is “ham.” To chant this sound, use a natural, comfortable tone of voice. Softly chant “ham” as you breathe out, letting the sound roll out slowly for the duration of your exhale.

Once we can recognize and honor our energy, we can work to support our system and continue to go deeper into feeling our true authentic self. Getting in touch with our chakras, identifying imbalances and working to restore harmony in the whole is critical for health, happiness and longevity in both the physical and subtle body. If you feel you need help working through your energy imbalances, or would like guidance in tuning into the subtle body, reach out to a trusted energy healer who can assist you in recognizing and managing the intricacies of your spiritual health.