Vishuddha "Throat" Chakra, Using our Voice to Alchemize Anxiety
*This is the 6th blog in my chakra series related to emotional/physical/spiritual wellbeing. Here is a link to the first in the series, a brief overview of the chakra system. If you are not familiar with the chakra system I recommend reading this first: https://www.alicebluetherapy.com/blog/processing-trauma-through-the-chakra-system
Vishuddha Chakra or the “throat chakra,” is the energy center that governs our powerful voice. This is the center of our communication, the governor of our ability to speak the truth. Supported by the element of ether, space in our throat invokes a way for anxiety to move up and out through our body. Imagine a wide open space in a field of lavender. Ether embodies the places between the rocks, between the clouds, between the words, between the notes. This is the holding space of creative energy to flow. Blue is the color that represents this chakra in yoga philosophy, and I like to imagine the deep blue of the ocean, or a powerful flowing river. Like these water beings, our voices are strong and soft, shaky and still, moving with vigor or pausing with ease.
When this chakra is in balance, we feel free to speak our truth and sing. When this chakra is out of balance, we can feel blocked from being able to speak our truth, and if you are a vocalist, blocked from singing in your truest voice. When we are claiming our place in this world, anxiety can clog up our throat center through various experiences that instill self-doubt. By focusing on unblocking Vishuddha, we can alchemize this anxiety into electric creative energy that frees our voice.
Trauma in Vishuddha
When we are taught to doubt ourselves over and over again, we are taught to mistrust our voice. Trauma affecting our throat chakra can be related to constantly being talked over or silenced, criticism of our speaking or singing voice, or watching our primary caregivers doubt their own voice. There could have been one traumatic event that caused us to believe our voice was dangerous or unacceptable, or it could be many small incidents of criticism that built up over time. In processing our trauma, it can be important to uncover the cause of our stunted voice, but I have seen relief even when we have no knowledge of a tangible event that causes the block. No matter what, It’s important to feel in our bodies where we feel that anxiety (in this case, the throat), and allow the emotions to flow. This is easier said than done, but very possible when we slow things down and work with a therapist or healer who we trust.
Feeling Relief Through Communication
In cases of performance, the throat chakra can lock up with anxiety. We are so often using our voice in anxiety-provoking social situations, music performances, and speeches. On a more subtle level, we are using our voices to set boundaries, ask for a promotion, or tell a lover what we need in a relationship. These day-to-day vulnerable instances of not speaking up can clog our throats up with as much anxiety as a live performance. You can see that freeing up the powerful and spacious energy of the throat is a liberating thing for most, if not all, humans. Here are some practices to try for the unblocking of anxiety in Vishuddha Chakra:
Say something that you have been holding in to a loved one. i.e. Tell your roommate it bothers you when she leaves her towel on the floor, tell your partner it hurt you when he didn’t hold your hand, speak up to your co-worker about their incessant humming that drives you bananas
SING! Anything. It doesn’t have to be “good” or “in tune” or “the right words.” Just take a deep breath and let that voice ring out
Practice throat opening yoga postures such gently rolling your head from side to side in a semi circle
Chant “Ham,” the Sanskrit mantra to balance this chakra
Anxiety and blockages in the throat can truly alter our perception of our own voice. By leaning into anxiety therapy, we create an outlet to tend to our voice. Our voice is powerful and beautiful and impactful, no matter what blocks are sticking around from the past. So, all of this work and leaning into our truth is worth it, because we come away with the raw impact of our voice in the world.