The throat chakra is the Fifth chakra. It is located at the throat and is associated with the element of sound and the color light blue. Elements also include ether or space. Hearing is also associated with this chakra. The Sanskrit name for this chakra is “Vishudda,” meaning “pure” or “purification”. This chakra is associated with communication, expression, and creativity. An open throat chakra will allow you to speak, listen, and express yourself in a healthy and authentic way. Imbalance may result in insecurity, timidity, and fear of speaking (underactive chakra); or lying, gossiping, and being verbally aggressive or mean (overactive chakra).

A healthy throat chakra will allow you to communicate with authentic expression. To master the dance between saying what you mean and being tactful and/or diplomatic. We have been conditioned in our society that it’s easier to say what the other person wants to hear instead of our truth in order to be accepted or not to hurt the other person’s feelings. Work on the first four chakras will prepare you for this level of communication. Healthy root and sacral chakras will help overcome fear, a healthy solar plexus chakra will provide the confidence to express yourself, and a healthy heart chakra will help you to recognize what is in your heart in order to verbalize your needs, desires, and opinions and remain truthful to yourself.

Speaking your truth does not give you a pass to be hurtful or critical. Instead, if you are speaking from your spirit, and with healthy proceeding chakras, your truth will come across as kind and compassionate. Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are about to say is true, is it necessary, and is it kind?

Communication is not limited to speaking. An equal part of healthy communication is listening. Giving the other person your full attention without the distraction of electronics, fidgeting, or other forms of inattention. Listen to the other person fully before responding.

In addition to communication, the throat chakra is our connection to the etheric realm, the realms of spirit and intuitive abilities. It provides us with the propensity to create, to manifest ideas and blueprints into reality. It allows us to realize our vocation and purpose.

Physiological: The throat chakra is located in the throat and governs the anatomical regions of the jaw, neck, mouth, tongue, and larynx. It is also linked to the shoulders. The gland associated with the fifth chakra is the thyroid, which regulates the processing of energy in the body through temperature, growth, and in large parts, metabolism.

Imbalance: The throat chakra is the energy center associated with self-expression and communication. It is considered the “seat” of emotion. Life experiences, such as being in aggressive relationships, having bad experiences in public, or suffering bullying in childhood, may result in an imbalance in the fifth chakra. When the throat chakra is out of balance, it may manifest in a lack of control over one’s speech, the inability to listen, or a fear of speaking publicly or speaking out in a relationship.

Physical symptoms may manifest as hoarseness or soreness in the throat, thyroid problems, laryngitis, or neck pain. You may also experience consistent fatigue, headaches, and tinnitius due to a blocked throat chakra.  

Non-physical disorders may include depression, the inability to express yourself, anxiety, insecurity, and/or lack of self-esteem. An overactive throat chakra may result in lying, arrogance, manipulation, and aggression. Compulsive or excessive eating is another way in which an unhealthy throat chakra may manifest.

Restoring Balance: The following practices may be helpful in restoring balance to the throat chakra. 

• Meditate (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Focus on a light blue light emanating from your throat. Feel the glow warm your throat and make it easier to speak your truth. Considered a hue for cleansing and health, blue’s calming effect helps restore balance and eases physical and mental stresses often associated with throat chakra imbalance.
• Implement sound therapy (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Chanting or toning sounds can help bring you back to balance. Sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in synchronistic harmony. The mantra sound that corresponds to the throat chakra is “HUM.” 
• Practice yoga. To open and balance your throat chakra, practice poses that focus on your throat and shoulders including camel, bridge, and plow poses and the shoulder stand. These poses will stimulate the thyroid and parathyroid glands as well as bring energy to the area of the throat. You can also heat and stimulate the throat chakra through Ujjayi breath and Lion’s breath exercises.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Make a conscious effort to drink more water throughout the day to hydrate and cleanse the throat chakra. Eat apples, peaches, lemons and limes to cleanse and activate the throat chakra.
• Talk openly with close friends and family. Make it a point to be open and honest. Simply speaking in a heartfelt and kind way can strengthen and balance the throat chakra.
• Journal. As with the heart chakra, journaling can help you express yourself without censoring or editing. It can help you express yourself and provide you with the opportunity to revisit what you have written. Write it down, then let it go. Holding on to things that have happened and cannot change can lead to resentment, guilt, or anger. All of which can lead to an imbalance in the throat chakra.
• Sing. Singing is a great form or self-expression. It can help dispel blockages, activate, and balance the fifth chakra. Humming is also an option if you aren’t ready to sing. It will also serve to get those vocal cords vibrating with sound.
• Use stones to help you focus on your throat chakra. Stones associated with this chakra include turquoise, aquamarine, sapphire, blue topaz, and lapis lazuli. 
• Use essential oils to connect with your throat chakra. Essential oils associated with this chakra include lavender, Roman and German Chamomile, spearmint, frankincense, cypress, geranium, spruce, sandalwood, tea tree, and mandarin. 

The more in tune you become with your emotions and physical body, the easier it will be for you to sense when your chakra is out of balance. Becoming aware when you are experiencing imbalance will make it easier for you to intentionally apply tools to help you regain your balance. 

When the throat chakra is balanced, you are able to communicate truthfully and compassionately. You are able to create more freely and exhibit self-expression. You will have a sense of self, of vocation, of purpose. You may also have more vivid dreams and be more empathetic to those around you. You may feel a clearer sense of belonging with the world around you.