Throat chakra

You don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to take care of your energy body, which is comprised of meridians and chakras.  Meridians are the energy pathways that pass through at least one vital organ and help that organ’s functionality in some way.  Chakras are referred to as “energy centers.”  Today we will talk about the fifth or THROAT CHAKRA.  This specific blog series will continue every other month until we have discussed all the seven chakras in sequence. 

The throat chakra can be accessed by gently hovering or placing your hands around the neck.  It contains the thyroid gland and is known by an aqua or turquoise color.  The throat is our communication center and holds information from all the other chakras.  For example, energetic (or emotional) experiences from the root, sacral, solar plexus, and heart move up through the throat while energies from the crown and third-eye chakras move downward, also passing through the throat.  We can think of the throat chakra as the place where information is metabolized into a form that becomes your unique expression in the world. 

We feel most energetically balanced here when we give ourselves permission to embody authenticity and that includes, verbally expressing that which is true.  How has something so simple become so complicated?  Most of us can identify messages inherent within family culture or society at large that stifles our voice.  We may have learned that honesty can hurt others or create personal rejection, violence, or oppression.  As a result, we stay quiet to “protect” others’ discomfort or openly wear a façade that masks our true Self.  The throat, meant to be a vessel for expression and authentic connection to others, now becomes blocked in attempt to avoid the possibility of disconnection. 

The throat chakra might be overactive or underactive.  If overactive, you may find yourself being quick to defend your intentions, judgmental in your tone, or overly persistent in the expression of your beliefs.  These traits can be a result of being persistently invalidated by others in the past (underactive throat chakra).  There then becomes a desperate attempt to “turn the tables.”  And though this overcorrection might cause turmoil and interpersonal consequences, it is often a necessary shift as you journey closer toward center.  With enough practice, one will find the delicate balance of assertive communication and acceptance of what is.  An underactive throat chakra lacks appropriate boundary-setting.  You may have difficulty asserting your opinions even when they are elicited.  Expression of our true nature takes clarity and clarity takes time.  Also, it is important to practice communicating with others in which the risk for ridicule or rejection is low.  The key for achieving balance in the throat chakra is boundary work.  Here are some examples of how to get a conversation started using the concept of “dialectics” (holding the tension between two seemingly opposing truths):

I enjoy spending time with you AND need to honor my personal commitments.

I am hurt by your comment AND understand you were having a difficult day.

I enjoy my work at this company AND have been assuming too much responsibility.  

There are several ways to offer yourself comfort when you are preparing for a difficult conversation and working on speaking your truth.  Singing or chanting is a known resource here.  Softly repeating the word “ham” matches the vibration of the throat chakra. Draw out the letters into sounds, such as “hhhhhaaaaaammmmmm.”  Also, sound healing classes or events are incredible.  Instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, and tuning forks influence us on a cellular level due to the special vibrations they transmit.  For clarity, journal regularly and even write a letter to the person you are anticipating needing to set a boundary with for practice and confidence, but without the intention of sending.  Use herbs such as peppermint, elderberry, clove, cinnamon, echinacea, fennel, and slippery elm for tea infusions, which will give you a more consistent benefit. Finally, an aquamarine crystal is the most popular metaphysical aid for healing the throat chakra. 

“Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” -Maggie Kuhn