The throat chakra (Visuddha) is the fifth of the major seven energy centers. The heart chakra is the bridge between the lower, more physical energy centers and the upper, more metaphysical ones. As we ascend through the chakras, the throat chakra is the first chakra primarily focused on the spiritual plane. The throat chakra, is associated with the color turquoise blue / sky blue and with the elements sound and ether. Ether is the field of subtle vibrations ancient Indians believed pervaded the universe.
Located in the neck, throat, jaw, and mouth, the throat chakra resonates with your inner truth and helps you find a personal way to convey your voice to the outside world. The rhythm of music, the creativity of dance, the vibration of singing and the communication you make through writing and speaking are all fifth chakra ways to express yourself.
Visuddha
Visuddha means “pure” or “purification.” Purification of the body through attention to diet, yoga, meditation, and exercise opens us to experience the subtler aspects of the upper chakras. Some yogis notice that drinking more water and letting go of products such as tobacco and dairy helps to loosen up the neck and shoulders and clear the voice. In addition to that sound itself is purifying.
If you think of the way you feel after chanting Indian kirtans, reading poetry aloud, or simply singing along with your favorite music, you’ll recognize how the vibrations and rhythms positively affect your body, right down to the cellular level.
Deficient energy in this chakra leads to neck stiffness, shoulder tension, teeth grinding, jaw disorders, throat ailments, an underactive thyroid, and a fear of speaking. Excessive talking, an inability to listen, hearing difficulties, stuttering and an overactive thyroid are all related to excess energy in this chakra.
Balanced Expression
Your fifth energy center, your throat chakra is located at the back of your neck. It includes your entire jaw. On an energy level, it is the center of your personal expression and the messenger of your spirit. It’s location is where food, drink, drugs, smoke and other external substances enter your body. That’s why it is extremely important that you make a conscious choice to ingest healthy, wholesome substances instead of those that can poison your spirit.
Throat Chakra Fast Facts:
Your fifth chakra rules your communication, creativity, connection and personal intention.
A well-balanced fifth chakra awakens in you the truth that your life is built on your words, thoughts, beliefs and ideas.
In your body, the fifth chakra governs throat, thyroid, trachea, esophagus, neck, mouth, teeth, and ears.
Your throat chakra vibrates with a sky-blue color.
A mission statement would be: I express, I listen, I communicate.
Expression
A well-balanced throat chakra enables your expression to act as a three-way psychic radio. The first band, which activates your speaking and listening abilities, also governs all forms of creativity and awakens your ability to connect with others. The second band establishes mental and telepathic rapport with others, sending and receiving thoughts and feelings. In particular from those who are on the same wavelength as you. Finally, the third band tunes in to your own inner voice. This allows you to pick up on your intention and to ask for and receive direction from the Divine Spirit.
Imbalance
When your expression is out of balance you will often suppress what you are really feeling. You block input from others by building walls around yourself. This can result in heightened levels of anxiety, secrecy, frustration and anger. Your joyful and creative spirit is damaged and when you finally begin to speak-as you eventually will-it will be in the voice of your wounded inner child. He or she will be angry and will lash out. This happens either outwardly against others or inwardly through destructive or addictive behaviors. Severe imbalances might result in speech or auditory difficulties.
Another common imbalance is refraining from expressing your needs or establishing boundaries because you might offend someone. Learning to speak your mind can be difficult, especially when trying to convey anger. You may have been taught that being angry and expressing it is a bad thing. However, remember that there is nothing inappropriate about having feelings and expressing them.
Remember that your throat chakra, can also be out of balance in the opposite direction. You can express yourself too much and too recklessly. By using non-stop talking as a means of distancing yourself and avoiding intimate connections with others, you effectively drive people from your life. Here is one of my favorite philosophic poems on this topic of talking.
What do you think about your fifth chakra – is it balanced? Comment below or join me and comment on Facebook
