Keeping your chakras healthy and functioning well will go a long way towards keeping you in great shape physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Here I help you assess the health of your throat chakra and suggests ways you can develop it.

The Throat chakra is the first of the 'upper chakras'. This does not make them better than the 'lower chakras' just different in function. Whereas the lower chakras are concerned with your physical existence on this planet, the higher chakras are to do with your spiritual life.

I suggest working with the three lower chakras in order, then spending time at the Heart Bridge before going on to work with the higher chakras as those who neglect the lower chakras can become very ungrounded and find it hard to cope with everyday challenges. Please look at the health of your Base Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra and Heart Chakra if you have not done so already.

Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is located at the base of the neck. It is traditionally depicted as blue. As well as the obvious connection to the words we speak it also relates to our hearing.

Its prime function is with communication and expression of creativity and thought. If balanced you can speak your truth and express your self-identity and needs. You will be able to listen to others and empower them. You will be able to hear the truth in what someone is trying to communicate & so will not be prone to misunderstandings. A well functioning throat chakra gives a sense of peace and calm.

Physically the throat lets energy move through it- think of the passage of air, food and drink. It acts like a pressure valve, releasing build up in other chakras too. Expressing yourself or suppressing the expression of your thoughts and feelings will have knock on effects elsewhere in your chakra system and your physical body too.

Potential signs of dysfunction
Underactive Inability to speak up for oneself. Stiff neck, shoulder and upper back pain, sore throat, headaches, isolation, emotional withdrawal, asthma and under active thyroid associated problems, shame, writer’s block
Overactive Over verbose. Speaking a lot but not listening. Agitation, lying, manipulation, dominance, shouting

Throat Chakra Workout
Make noise with your vocal chords- preferably harmonious! Try singing, it doesn’t matter too much if you don’t consider yourself a singer, do it anyway. Chanting opens the throat chakra. The Bija mantra for the throat is ‘ham’ with a long ‘a’ as in hahm
Honesty is good for the throat chakra. Speak your truth as a habit. I like to do this as it means I don’t need to remember what I’ve said & will never get caught out!
Take a check on the language you use. When you talk with friends do you tend to be upbeat or to moan? We all have a need to have a little moan and to let off steam from time to time- we are human, but what is the balance between positive & negative?
Check who you talk to as well- what are you listening to? Uplifting messages or spiteful gossip?
Use blue stones placed on the throat while you relax or in your water jug (check they are non toxic!) Blue lace agate is especially soothing for the throat. Try angelite too.

For a visual treat try Anodea Judith's lovely DVD