Have you ever felt lost for words? I have discovered that, at times, I’m innately unable to verbally advocate for myself.
After a conversation which didn’t go as planned, I’ll run the words through my head thinking of all the things I could have said but didn’t. I toss and turn, going over the conversation again and again until I get it right.
But by that time of course, the moment has passed, the conversation is had, and the discussion is over.
An inability to say what you want to say can be a blockage in the throat chakra; the energy center located above the sternal notch, below the thyroid gland. It is also known as “the 5th,” or the vishuddha. This important energy center is responsible for our speech, creative expression, and our ability to be honest while expressing ourselves with the people around us.
If the chakra energy system is new to you and you can barely sit for 5 minutes in meditation, I recommend you sign up the free 30 Day Meditation Challenge. It will guide you through the quiet practice and help educate you about various spiritual discourses.
Underactive and Overactive Vishuddha
Until you find balance within the vishuddha, your life will remain the same, and things aren’t likely to work out in the way you would like.
An underactive, or blocked throat chakra can manifest simply by feeling lost for words. Other symptoms can be a lump in the throat, sore throat, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), grinding teeth, earaches, sinus infections, or thyroid problems.
An inability to express yourself and being misinterpreted or misunderstood is also common. People see you as “flakey” or unreliable. Being honest with yourself is something that is difficult, too, and this results in giving mixed messages that can get you in trouble.
A person who tends to be over-opinionated, critical, and bossy will most likely have an overactive throat chakra. They can be verbally abusive, cutting down others without regard for their feelings or opinions. They also raise their voice and interrupt. Because of this need to speak and be heard, they are poor listeners.
Vishuddha is known as the centre of purification. It is where energy within us transforms into our manifestations in the physical world. The clarity of this chakra determines our successes or failures in life. Feelings of guilt will easily “clog” the vishuddha, so it’s important we clear it out by speaking the truth, resolving conflict with others, and being honest with ourselves.
Finding Balance
With an understanding of the beauty and complexity of the throat chakra, we can begin to find the healing powers of this energy center.
1. Maintain your physical health. The thyroid, parathyroid glands, vocal cords, esophagus, mouth, teeth, neck, trachea, cervical spine, neck, and shoulders are essential to the throat chakra. An underlying disorder or disease needs proper testing and treatment by your doctor.
2. Consider nutrition and exercise. Healthy activity can stimulate and awaken this energy center. Organic soups, sauces, and juices lubricate the mouth and soothe the throat. Fruits that are high in water content are also cleansing, and a juice detox to get the creative juices flowing.
Yoga inversions bring blood flow to the Throat Chakra, cleansing the glands and tissues. Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Plow (Halasana), and Ear-to-Knee or Ear Pressure Pose (Karnapidasana) should do the trick!
3. Envision blue. Vishuddha is associated with the color sky blue, and its image includes the Sanskrit symbol in the center of a blue lotus flower. Blue is also the color of truth, loyalty, and wisdom.
Focusing on this image, or surrounding yourself with the color blue can help receive healing energies from the universe. This chakra’s element is ether, or space. Sitting under a blue sky in the open air will balance your throat chakra using nature.
4. Heal through speech. Since a blockage in the throat chakra causes a problem with expression, it is only natural that we find healing through speech. Try a positive affirmation.
- “I am good and I do good.”
- “I speak the truth to myself and others.”
- “I speak freely and with confidence.”
- “It is safe for me to express my feelings and to create the life I desire.”
- “Everything I do is an expression of love.”
A Healthy 5th
Words are very powerful. They can bring about change, declare love or war, and express our most deepest desires. Through this understanding, we discover that our words, no matter how small or unimportant they seem, have consequences.
If your throat chakra is in balance, you will be able to express yourself in a healthy, honest and loving way! You will be creative, helpful, and able to ask for help when you need it.
You know what you want and need, and are not afraid to show your weaknesses. People are drawn to your honesty and creativity, and respect you for your ability to speak openly.
Om Shanti.
