Meaning:  Purity

Location:  behind the throat

Colour:  BRIGHT BLUE

Are you having problems with self-expression?   Do you find yourself talking too much?  Or feel very excited when you are about to talk, which might lead to stuttering?  Are you being heard? 

Blocked throat chakra is manifested with lethargy, weight gain and low moods whereas exhaustion of this chakra leads to a sluggish state that may materialize in anxiety, weight loss,  poor sleep.  A healthy and balanced chakra exists within those who are good listeners, have good sense of timing and rhythm, have creative expression and are witty. 

A very important factor to this chakra, which governs the THROAT & MOUTH, is our truth.  Truth contains our vision, dreams, hopes and knowledge.  When we speak from this highest integrity, we are generally heard.

This chakra starts developing at the age of 7 to 12 but it doesn t really start to evolve until the age of 16.  If we are bringing children up, encourage their creativity which is all unique to each individual, guide them to seeing the value of the truth and if you are an adult and find yourself saying ‘Im not good in this or im hopeless at that’, ask yourself if your belief of that is coming from a teacher having failed to put your painting up on the wall or a parent calling you a liar’.

So the ability to communicate and express all that you want, lies in this chakra whose element is ETHER/SPACE.   In this space, word is transformed to particle.  Word is so important, St. John’s Gospel ‘s opening statement is ‘In the beginning was the word’.

Do not confuse wordiness with communication.  Having successful communication with others does not only depend on how well you speak but also how well you listen.  The sense of this chakra is HEARING.  Talking to people rather than at them makes all the difference.

So how can we improve our self-expression and communicate with others?  Here are a few exercises:

· Take the phone off the hook and switch off your mobiles for just half an hour.  Sit or lie comfortable.  Switch on some nice music or sounds that help clear your mind and provide you with colourful images that are dancing around your throat chakra.  If you have too much going on in your mind perhaps you can expose yourself to the sound of some wind chimes which you hang in your garden or balcony.  Start writing down everything that’s occupying your mind.  Let it all out.

· Become accustomed to waking up in the morning and say ‘good morning’ to your family members or if you live alone, just hum gently around your house while you are getting ready.  This creates a very good vibration around the house besides making you feel better.

· Learn how to say ‘Thank you’ more often and smile instead of frown.  It takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown.

· Practice listening and before you answer people who are demanding or imposing, breath and count up to 3, then reply if you are ready.   Say to yourself ‘ My voice is necessary and when I express myself, I do it with clear intent’.

Enhance and give colour to your experience:

· Crystals that are particularly useful to the throat chakra are TURQUOISE – powerful protector and enhances communication & expression, or LAPIS LAZULI – strengthens the thyroid and improves vitality.  Suitable essential oils are LAVENDER – soothing, or, PATCHOULI – stimulates creativity.

· Practice HATHA YOGA postures which include neck stretches and shoulder openings.  The SHOULDER STAND & THE PLOW stimulates the thyroid glands and revitalizes the ears, eyes and throat serving as prevention to throat ailments.  Another pose that does wonders for releasing the blockages in this chakra is the ROARING LION.

·   You may chant or use the word OM in a repetitive way, simply alternating your tone, power and texture of your voice, noticing the difference it makes.

·   Meditate on the throat chakra and its blue colour, sending it love through your way of breathing which is UDANA –‘ the upward moving air’ or simply practice UJJAYI breathing – that gentle hissing sound produced at the throat.

·  Drink plenty of liquids; water and herbal teas are the best.  Salt water to gargle is very good and fresh tree growing fruit make for a pleasant ending.

After all this work you can experience a sense of calmness, serenity, a melodious voice, good command of speech and ability to be creative.