Want To Heal Your Throat Chakra? Here's How, According To Experts

Chakras are the primary energy centers of our body, and when they're flowing freely, we tend to feel light and well. When one is blocked, however, we can feel off in a range ways, depending on which chakra isn't flowing.

Chakras are the body's energy centers. The main seven chakras run up the spinal cord—beginning at the base of the spine and ending at the crown of the head. They each correspond to different needs and emotions (starting with basic survival and ending with a connection to spirit and the universe).

The Vishuddha, or throat chakra, gives voice to the lower chakras and deals with our ability to communicate and express ourselves. According to spiritual icon and guru Deepak Chopra, when the throat is balanced, it can give us the confidence that we're capable of communicating our needs—but when it's not, we often feel like we're not being heard.

"In order to feel alive and empowered, it's important that this energy center is clear," Chopra previously wrote for mindbodygreen, adding that blockages in this area are often associated with thyroid problems or chronic neck pain.

And according to naturopathic doctor and reiki master Erica Matluck, N.D., N.P., the throat chakra is essential for creating the life you want (aka manifesting) because it is the conduit that connects your inner world to the outer world.

"This is why it is so critical to work through the lower chakras before attempting to fully open the throat—the throat chakra transmits thought and intention into the material world via language," Matluck explains, noting that many people are too weighed down by guilt to use their throat chakra effectively.

A balanced throat chakra is capable of communicating truth clearly. When the throat chakra is open, according to Matluck, there are no misunderstandings or missed connections. "The voice of someone with an open throat chakra can change the world with words, pitch, and vibration. In order for the throat chakra to open, the message must be so true and authentic, it's captivating," she explains.

According to Matluck, when we attempt to use the throat chakra to communicate anything other than what is true and authentic, dysfunction sets in. "Sometimes this shows up physically as a thyroid condition or an ailment in the throat—other times it shows up as an inability to express oneself as they desire," she explains.

When it comes to unblocking, opening, and healing your throat chakra, you can do a combination of practices, as well as inner growth and reflection, to help bring it into balance. As aforementioned, guilt is often a big reason people wind up with blocked throat chakras, as well as insecurity, worrying how others will react, and being afraid to take up space.

According to yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda guru Yogi Cameron, certain meditations can help bring energy and awareness to your throat chakra, so any dormant or stagnant energy there can be redirected to your communication and presentation to the world around you.

Pranayama, or breath control, is a way of breathing in a specific pattern for a specific purpose. One pranayama, called Bhramari pranayama (or bee breathing) concentrates energy in the throat, making it a great option for the throat chakra.

As yoga instructor Dylan Werner previously wrote for mindbodygreen, Bhramari pranayama is named after the Hindu deity Bhramari, the goddess of bees, with the light humming sound of the Bhramari breath alluding to the buzzing sound that bees' wings make.

Different crystals and stones have vibratory qualities that resonate with each of the chakras, making them an excellent tool to work with if you're looking to unblock or balance a particular chakra(s).

Another way to work with the throat chakra is to take a healing ritual bath, according to crystal expert Deborah Haugen. She recommends this ritual bath specifically for the throat chakra.

Affirmations are great for any chakra, but particularly potent for the throat chakra since you speak them out loud. As Matluck notes, "Your words create the world around you [and] should be declarative, free of doubt, and rooted in the present moment. For example, if your intention is to write a book, speak the words, "I am an author," Matluck says.

According to Matluck, chanting a mantra aloud is another great way to consciously direct vibration into your throat chakra—and the world. In Kundalini yoga, she says, "Sat Nam" is a powerful and popular mantra meaning "truth is my identity."

Practice chanting "Sat Nam" for three to 11 minutes daily, Matluck suggests, adding that you can also get creative and make up your own mantra, choosing a positive affirmation that supports your current life goals and chanting it aloud daily. 

Mudras (the Sanskrit word for "gesture") are used in yoga to cultivate awareness toward certain energetic fields within the subtle body—and some of them can be useful for the throat chakra, according to certified yoga instructor Andrea Rice.

According to Deepak, the Law of Detachment governs the throat chakra. In his words, "The Law of Detachment reminds you that you can choose your words and actions, but you cannot control the response to your words and action. When your intentions are clear, and your heart is open, you will spontaneously demonstrate right speech trusting that the universe will handle the details."

Without the Law of Detachment, we may worry about how people will react to what we say, which impedes our ability to speak our truth. But with the Law of Detachment, Deepak says, your throat chakra is open to express "without concern for censors or critics."