Vishuddha Throat Chakra: Seat of Communication

Introduction to Vishuddha Throat Chakra

The Vishuddha throat chakra controls, creates, receives, and transmits communication. It is the seat of our self-expression, which we can sublimate from Anahata and communicate through Vishuddha. It is through Vishuddha that we speak our truth to the world.

Vishuddha facilitates communication and self-expression through all channels – speaking, singing, chanting, listening, writing, and the arts. This communication includes internal communication to yourself, the words and intentions you direct toward yourself.

Vishuddha Throat Chakra Associations

• Sanskrit name: Vishuddha
• English name: Throat
• Etymology: Visha = impurity, poison, shuddha = pure, purification. Translation: ‘exceptionally pure,’ or ‘intense purification.’
• Location: Center of throat
• Color: Blue
• Element: Ether
• Power word: Communication
• Physical associations: Thyroid and parathyroid glands, ears, lungs, mouth, throat, neck, and voice
• Planet: Jupiter
• Animal: White elephant – Pure wisdom
• Deity: Saraswati – Goddess of speech, music, art, wisdom, and learning
• Lotus: 16 petals representing the 16 vowels of the Sanskrit language
• Keynote: G
• Solfeggio frequency: 741 Hz
• Nature sound: Songbirds and singing insects
• Seed mantra: Ham
• Affirmation: I feel able to speak my truth
• Crystals: Blue lace agate, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, turquoise
• Essential oils: Sage, cypress, eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, clove
• Mineral: Silicon
• Metal: Tin
• Foods: Blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries, purple grapes, tree grown fruits such as apples, pears, and plums, red cabbage, rhubarb, liquids for lubrication such as warm broths, licorice tea, coconut water, and hot lemon and ginger tea

Vishuddha Throat Chakra Characteristics

It is here that you express the creativity born from the Svadhisthana chakra, and the truth born from the Anahata chakra. When functioning correctly, your creativity and truth are expressed authentically.

The 16 petals of the lotus symbolize the 16 vowels of the Sanskrit language and therefore demonstrate that this is the chakra of language and communication.

The etymology of Vishuddha is intense purification or exceptional purity, referring to the way that Vishuddha throat chakra can purify physical, spiritual, and energetic blockages. Vishuddha is connected with the breath, and as you inhale and exhale, this chakra purifies and cleanses negative emotions, physical impurities, and balances energy. Because of this, pranayama is particularly useful in working with this chakra.

Symptoms of an Unbalanced Vishuddha Chakra

If this chakra is blocked, you may have issues with expressing your truth and your ideas. This can manifest physically as in loss of voice, or emotionally, as in clamming up and not talking about your feelings or finding the right words to say how you feel.

You struggle to speak up when you feel you need to. When you get sick, you notice the illness begins in your throat, and you easily lose your voice. Speech impediments such as stutters and Tourettes are related to Vishuddha throat chakra.

You fear public speaking, rejection, and showing your true feelings. Creative blockages may arise, and you may have many unfinished projects.

You may speak without thinking and engage in idle gossip or hateful speech. You may be overly critical of others or yourself. Logorrhea (excessive talking) or shyness to speak stem from Vishuddha throat chakra. The inability to find the right words to express how you feel is also a symptom of imbalance in this chakra, as is being secretive and telling lies.

Underactive Throat Chakra

If you lack Vishuddha energy, you may experience issues communicating how you feel about a problem or situation. Finding the right words to speak your truth can be hard, and you can find yourself clamming up and not wanting to communicate for fear of saying the wrong thing.

Dishonesty with yourself and others can stem from an underactive Vishuddha throat chakra. You may become untrusting of your intuition and unable to connect with your values and authenticity. Creative blockages, lack of inspiration, and negative self-talk can arise.

Issues with speech, speech impediments, fear of speaking in public or to groups of people, shyness, introversion, and having a quiet, timid voice result from low Vishuddha throat chakra energy.

Overactive Vishuddha

If you have too much Vishuddha energy, you can become condescending, arrogant, manipulative, and judgmental. Likewise, if you engage in gossip and harmful speech, you would benefit from balancing your Vishuddha throat chakra.

Inability to focus on and listen to what others are telling you, and excessive or fast talking are signs of excessive Vishuddha throat chakra energy. If you find yourself not listening to the other person when in conversation and just formulating what you want to say, you are most likely too high in Vishuddha energy. You may also talk too much as a form of self-defense or to cover feelings of nervousness or anxiety.

Physical Symptoms of an Unbalanced Vishuddha

Thyroid issues, sore throats, loss of voice, laryngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, ear infections, hearing loss and tinnitus, gum disease, asthma, neck, and shoulder pain.

Signs of a Balanced Throat Chakra

If this chakra is balanced, you can clearly and authentically express yourself and share your truth with others. You are good at listening and taking on board what the other person is saying in conversations. Your speech is clear and direct without being harmful. You are honest in your communication, and your words flow freely and easily.

You feel confident speaking in front of groups, and you talk in an engaging and creative way. You consider what you want to say and choose your words carefully to express your true meaning.

How to Open Your Vishuddha Chakra

Like all chakras, there are many ways to work with opening and balancing your Vishuddha throat chakra. We particularly recommend the methods detailed here, but like all energy work, you should choose techniques that you resonate with.

Meditation and Visualization

Meditation and visualization are excellent for chakra balancing. Meditation allows you to tune in to your subtle energetic body and affect your vibration with the power of thought and breath. Everything is energy, and your own energy is within your ability to influence. Try this simple visualization meditation to balance your Vishuddha throat chakra.

Visualize a blue sixteen-petaled lotus flower in the center of your throat, spinning freely with your breath. Imagine it spinning with each exhalation like you are blowing away any tension or blockage. You can also visualize the blue color becoming brighter and more vivid, its magnificent glow purifying any stuck energy or negative self-talk. If you like guided meditations, try this practice:

Pranayama

As stated above, pranayama is a brilliant tool for clearing the throat chakra and aiding balance and purification. Try Ujjayi breath to help move energy and assist your Vishuddha throat chakra.

Ujjayi breath is a yogic pranayama practice that floods the body with fresh oxygen and prana, supports the Vishuddha throat chakra, and enhances memory, clarity, and focus. It is also known as ocean breath because it resembles the sound of soft waves.

Here’s how to practice:

Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight. Relax your shoulders and soften your abdomen and jaw. Tuck your chin into your chest to lengthen the back of your neck. Close your eyes. Take three nice long, slow, deep breaths, using your entire lung capacity. Then, allow your breathing to return to normal.

Constrict the back of your throat by lengthening the back of your tongue toward your throat and slightly upwards. It feels strange at first, but you will soon get used to the sensation. Breathe in through your nose with your mouth closed and direct the breath through the smaller opening you have made in the back of your throat. It is often likened to breathing through a straw. The sound should be smooth and even, and almost the same on the inhalation as the exhalation.

Breathe like this for as long as feels appropriate to you, and then relax your throat and allow your breathing to return to normal for a little while before ending the practice. If you would like to be guided, this video will help.

Sound and Singing Bowls

Sound vibration is one of the best ways to retune the chakras. You can work with an instrument, musical note, or mantra aligned with the vibration of the chakra you want to retune. The keynote of Vishuddha is G, and the Solfeggio frequency is 741 Hz. Singing bowls that are attuned to this frequency can provide potent healing for the throat chakra. If you own one, play it and let the soundwaves wash through your being. If you don’t own a Vishuddha singing bowl, try this beautiful sound bath for your Vishuddha throat chakra.

Mantra Chanting and Singing

Mantra chanting reharmonizes the energy field from within and is very clearing and nourishing to the throat chakra. The aligned vibrations work directly on the chakra and bring about deep healing. The seed mantra of the Vishuddha throat chakra is ‘Ham.’ Chant this mantra while listening to ambient music and allow it to rise naturally and comfortably and purify any blockages in your throat chakra. You can chant along with this practice if you find that more comfortable.

Singing is also a great way to unblock the Vishuddha throat chakra. You don’t have to sing in front of other people. Sing along in your house, in the shower, while driving your car, or anywhere you feel comfortable. Sing along to your favorite uplifting and inspiring songs. If you have the confidence, try joining a local choir.

Express Your Truth

Practice expressing your truth as much as you can. This self-expression can be through public speaking on a topic that you feel strongly about, blogging, journaling, writing poetry, or simply telling someone how you feel. The more you practice expressing your truth, the easier it will be. Tune into your Anahata heart chakra if you are not sure what to say. You can also express yourself creatively through art. Choose any medium you resonate with, for example, writing, painting, sketching, crafting, or sculpting.

Practice Silence and Active Listening

If you tend to have an overactive Vishuddha throat chakra, then you can counteract this by spending regular time in silence. Silence rests your throat chakra and allows the energy to dissipate. It is ls also very healing to be silent when others are speaking to you. Instead of formulating what you are going to say, listen actively to the words that the other person is sharing with you. Be silent until you are sure that they have finished speaking. This is a sign of respect to the other person and shows them that you have heard them and received what they wanted to say. Avoid talking over someone and interrupting them.

Yoga for Vishuddha

Yoga is beneficial for clearing chakra blockages. If you prefer working physically to balance your chakras, then these yoga poses will be helpful. You can practice one or two, holding for as long as feels comfortable to you, or add them all together for a short Vishuddha throat chakra yoga sequence. It is especially beneficial to practice Ujjayi pranayama while performing these postures.

• Uttana Shishosana (Puppy dog pose)
• Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)
• Halasana (Plough pose)
• Matsyasana (Fish pose)

If you would like to practice with guidance, try this video. 

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to working with your Vishuddha throat chakra. As always, we recommend that you act on what you have learned. It is only through action that we experience transformation. We are always here to answer your questions and help you on your spiritual journey. If you have any questions, place them in the comments below, and we will be only too happy to help you.