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What opens the throat chakra?

By: Author Color With Leo

What opens the throat chakra?

The throat chakra, also known as Vishuddha, is the fifth primary chakra located in the throat region. This chakra is associated with communication, self-expression, speaking one’s truth, and creativity. When the throat chakra is open and balanced, you are able to express yourself clearly and authentically. However, when it is blocked or imbalanced, you may struggle with communication issues, feel shy or fear speaking up. Understanding what opens the throat chakra can help you unleash your full creative and communicative potential.

What is the throat chakra?

The throat chakra is located in the throat region, near the thyroid gland. Its color association is blue, and it is represented by a blue 16-petaled lotus flower. The throat chakra governs communication, self-expression, speaking one’s truth, creativity, mantras and chanting. It is also connected to the ether element and vibrations.

When the throat chakra is open and balanced, you are able to clearly express your needs, thoughts, feelings and beliefs. You can speak your truth with confidence, listen openly, and communicate effectively with compassion. Your creative expressions flow freely through speaking, writing, singing or art. An open throat chakra supports clear decision-making, mindfulness and wisdom.

However, when the throat chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you may struggle with communication and self-expression. Symptoms include excessive talking or inability to speak up, fear of public speaking, dishonesty or difficulty telling one’s truth, poor listening skills, writer’s block, stage fright, social anxiety and more. Healing and opening the throat chakra brings this vital energy center back into balance.

What causes throat chakra blockages?

There are many potential causes of blockages or imbalances in the throat chakra:

  • Trauma: Past trauma, especially related to expression, can block the throat chakra. This includes verbal, emotional or physical abuse.
  • Fear: Fear of judgment, rejection, criticism or how others perceive you may prevent self-expression.
  • Lies: Telling lies or half-truths inhibits the honest expression needed to open the throat.
  • Invalidation: If your voice or views were invalidated, you may struggle to speak up.
  • Social anxiety: Extreme shyness, embarrassment or social anxiety impedes communication.
  • Physical tension: Jaw, throat or neck tension blocks energy flow in the throat.
  • Thyroid issues: Thyroid problems impact the throat chakra region.

Issues like these prevent the free flow of energy in the throat chakra, leading to communication and creative blocks. Opening this chakra involves releasing these patterns through healing modalities.

How to open the throat chakra

Many therapeutic and energy healing techniques can open, unblock and bring balance to the throat chakra. Here are some of the most effective methods:

1. Sound healing

Sound healing uses vibrational frequencies to open chakras and bring the body into harmonic balance. For the throat chakra, chanting, toning, singing bowls, gongs and mantras impart powerful vibrational healing.

  • Chant “ham” or “om” to resonate with the throat chakra.
  • Chant the bija mantra “Ham” which correlates specifically with the throat chakra.
  • Tone vocally up and down the musical scale from your highest to lowest comfortable note.
  • Listen to solfeggio frequencies or singing bowls tuned to the note G, corresponding to the throat.
  • Chant, sing devotional songs, play wind instruments, or take karaoke lessons.

2. Essential oils

Essential oils can be applied topically, inhaled or diffused aromatically to open and balance the throat chakra. The most effective oils include:

  • Blue chamomile
  • German chamomile
  • Juniper berry
  • Lavender
  • Lemongrass
  • Peppermint

For safety, always dilute oils properly before applying to skin. Inhale diffused oils or rub diluted oils gently into neck, ears, throat or chest.

3. Crystals

Healing crystals and gemstones can activate and bring flow to the throat chakra. Beneficial throat chakra crystals include:

  • Blue lace agate
  • Blue calcite
  • Blue topaz
  • Turquoise
  • Sodalite
  • Aquamarine
  • Lapis lazuli

Wear these crystals as necklaces resting near the throat. Hold crystals during meditation, place them around your space, or gaze into them.

4. Movement

Gentle physical movements open energy flow through the throat chakra:

  • Chin tucks: Draw your chin back lifting chest and opening the throat.
  • Shoulder rolls: Roll shoulders up back and down to relax throat tension.
  • Neck stretches: Gently tilt head side to side, ear to shoulder.
  • Fish pose: Do Fish yoga pose, lifting chest and throat.
  • Singing: Sing songs freely and loudly!
  • Play: Laugh, make silly noises and sounds.

5. Communication exercises

Practicing healthy communication is tremendously beneficial for the throat chakra:

  • Speak your needs clearly and directly, starting sentences with “I”.
  • Practice public speaking or join a speaking group like Toastmasters.
  • Express your thoughts and feelings to trusted friends or a counselor.
  • Write a journal to explore your inner voice.
  • Do breathwork, speech therapy or singing lessons.
  • Speak positively using affirmations. Repeat: “I express myself freely and confidently.”

6. Alternative therapies

Other complementary healing methods to open the throat include:

  • Acupressure: Apply gentle pressure to throat chakra points.
  • Reiki: Receive reiki energy healing focused on the throat.
  • Reflexology: Massage reflex points on feet, hands and ears.
  • Hypnotherapy: Release subconscious blockages.
  • Art therapy: Express creativity through painting, crafting, dancing.
  • Counseling: Resolve emotional issues blocking expression.

7. Yoga asanas

Yoga postures beneficial for the throat chakra include:

  • Fish pose (Matsyasana)
  • Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana)
  • Plow pose (Halasana)
  • Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
  • Camel pose (Ustrasana)
  • Child’s pose (Balasana)

Focus on feeling the openness in the throat area during these postures.

8. Pranayama practices

Throat-opening pranayama breathing techniques include:

  • Ujjayi breath: Contract the throat to create an ocean sound.
  • Kapalabhati: Short, strong exhales through the nose.
  • Brahmari: Humming bee breath.
  • Bhastrika: Bellows breath rapidly through the nose.
  • Vocalized OM: Chant OM loudly on the exhale.

9. Healthy throat habits

Support your throat chakra by:

  • Drinking plenty of water to keep the throat hydrated.
  • Gargling with salt water to clear congestion.
  • Avoiding excess yelling or throat straining.
  • Quitting smoking, which irritates the throat.
  • Reducing caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.
  • Practicing good vocal hygiene like warm ups and rest.

10. Mindfulness meditation

Quiet, mindful meditation helps develop inner awareness needed for balanced throat chakra expression. Guided meditations and visualizations bringing light or vibration into the throat are very helpful.

Signs of an open throat chakra

You will know your throat chakra is open and balanced when you experience:

  • Confident self-expression and speaking abilities
  • The ability to live your truth
  • Clarity communicating needs, thoughts, feelings
  • Power of your creative voice and talents
  • The ability to listen well to others
  • Harmony between inner and outer worlds
  • Peacefulness and tranquil vibration in the throat area

Conclusion

Keeping the throat chakra open is vital for expressing your authentic self fully and creatively. Use sound healing, essential oils, crystals, body movement, communication exercises, alternative therapies, yoga, pranayama, healthy habits and mindfulness meditation to unblock this chakra. With a balanced throat chakra, you gain the confidence to speak, sing, create, listen openly and live your truth powerfully.