Ways to balance your throat chakra

The throat chakra or Vishuddha in Sanskrit, located at the base of our throat, can get unbalanced and provoke many negative effects on our feelings, relationships, body, and mind.

Understanding this fifth chakra, the symptoms of an imbalance, and knowing the things we can do to heal it are necessary to have happier, healthier lives. Let’s see why.

HOW AN IMBALANCE FEELS

Have you ever felt hesitation in expressing your emotions?

Not having the appropriate words to describe how you are feeling?

Maybe experiencing sharp criticism against yourself or others and materializing hurtful words into aggressive behavior?

Feeling misunderstood and uncomprehended?

These are just a few of the many signs that the fifth chakra might be imbalanced.

Vishuddha chakra is one of the energy points in the subtle body — not the physical body — and it represents our voice. Our communication capabilities. The expression of our being.

Imagine that in a healthy individual this chakra is a blue energy wheel, constantly moving and letting energy flow. However, when it gets stopped up, somehow we feel incapable of letting our voices be heard. We become timid, afraid, isolated. Certainly, this can affect the energy flow from other chakras and our voice.

The throat chakra helps us speak our truth.

Be genuine.

Sing with ease.

Talk about and vividly describe our feelings without trouble.

When it is shut down, it’s not pretty.

Lying, mistrusting the intentions of others, and often finding yourself without words to communicate will likely make you feel isolated and lonely.

That’s one end of the spectrum. On the other side, criticism, complaining, cursing, and being aggressive can also be symptoms of having the fifth energy wheel unbalanced.

The physical signs are sore throats, tight jaws, stiff neck, headaches, dental issues, mouth ulcers, hoarseness, thyroid problems, and neck pain.

HOW TO REDUCE THE BLOCKAGE

A blockage in the throat chakra can feel really bad, both physically and mentally. Our emotions get hurt, we tend to feel detached, shy, quiet, and anxious. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to restore balance and improve our self-expression and communication with others.

• Include the bright blue color in your life as this is the color that represents Vishuddha. Blue clothes, candles, and stones like amazonite, turquoise, aquamarine, and lapis lazuli can all improve communication, honesty, and empathy. If choosing a chakra stone, place it directly on your skin.
• Keep your neck aligned with your spine. For those of us who spend a big chunk of our day sitting in front of a computer, this can be hard, but remember: alignment is key.
• Journal. If expressing yourself with words has become difficult, try to use the written word instead to vocalize your feelings and connect your heart with your mind. Journaling is really a therapy of being your own best friend and listening to what you have to say.
• Practice the mantra HAM to empower your physical and spiritual voice.
• Try yoga poses like shoulder stand, plow, and fish that help you release the neck muscles and promote inner authentic connection.
• Breathe and focus your attention on this area of your body.
• Stretch your neck. Being stiff physically translates — quite literally —to being closed and stiff mentally and emotionally.

If you are feeling signs of imbalance in your throat chakra, these strategies will help!