Lessons from Laryngitis: Unlocking Your Throat Chakra

Me in "rest mode"

Gratefully, I don’t get sick very often. Whatever is going around our area right now though, got me. And it got me right in the throat! It started as a sore throat, expanded to a mild cold, then centered right in on my throat again and gave me laryngitis. So, why are you asking, do I sound like your great-aunt complaining about her ailments?

As a teacher, I speak for a living, a lot. So when my voice disappears on me, it gives me a moment to reflect. The voice is associated with the 5th chakra, throat chakra (Vishuddha chakra). It rules communication. Often if the the throat chakra is blocked or off balance, it indicates miscommunication. Either, something left unsaid, something overstated, or something not being heard or noticed.

Vishuddha (5th) Chakra. Mantra: "I express myself clearly and openly"

When I cannot physically speak, the question I pause to ask myself is, where in my life do I not feel as though I’m being heard? Where have I chosen to not speak my truth or say something I needed to say? 

In this case, nothing major has gone unsaid, but there are a few things I’ve been avoiding saying or expressing. This reflection reminded me of what I’m procrastinating on saying that will help me in my career and deepen my close relationships. In my case, it’s about being brave and being a little vulnerable, asking for help, and sharing more affection/attention. 

The idea isn’t to verbally unleash all our thoughts into the world. But rather, to assess, if there is something that needs to be said that you are avoiding saying that is leaving you hurt or stuck as a result. Associated mantra to try: "I express myself clearly and openly".

The next question I ask myself is, is there something I’ve said that may have caused harm, ahimsa? At the moment, I am not aware that I’ve said something that harmed anyone. I have had some less-than-savory thoughts come up though. This question is a great opportunity to practice ahimsa (non-harm). Do I owe an apology? Could I redirect my thoughts to focus more on compassion and kindness toward myself and others?

Finally, being forced into silence is a great time to listen. Listen to what others are saying, what others are saying without words, what my body is saying, the sounds and goings on all around me. It’s helped me get more still and quiet and present. I realized I need more rest, for my body, but also my mind. Less news feed, more communications that fill up my cup.

All this to say, as I sip my tea and quietly suck on cough drops, as life happens, even sickness can be an opportunity to tune in, reflect and grow. Next time you’re feeling that tickle or scratch or tightness in your throat, I invite you to pause and reflect. What are you saying/thinking or not saying? Where could it help you to listen more? Where could it help you to tune out and listen less?

If you want to go a little further in working with the throat chakra, here are few more things to practice.

1. Singing, humming, or chanting. (I focused on resting my voice initially. As it started to come back, simply chanting OM (aum) repeatedly really loosened things up for me. What's the science behind it? Humming is shown to reduce stress, bring calm, help with sleep, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and stiumlate the Vagus Nerve with plays a crucial role in immune function. Try it! A few days later, I began adding gentle singing here and there, which also us feel good.

2. Go blue - wear blue clothes or visualize the color blue in meditation

3. Mantra - Chant "HAM" (hawm like saying bomb with an h) or repeat a mantra about communication "I communicate with kindness and clarity" or "I speak my truth"

4. Practice yoga poses that stimulate the throat such as lion's breath, cat and cow, camel pose, fish pose, wheel or bow, plow or headstand.

5. Activate "neck lock" (jalandhara bandha).

   1. Sit comfortably with your spine long and your hands resting on your legs. Breathe in, starting with your belly, until you're about 2/3 full.

   2. Drop your chin toward your chest as you draw your sternum. (Make the chin and chest movement as equal up/down as possible.)

   3. Pause and gently swallow to activate your throat lock or bandha.

   4. Soften your shoulders from your ear. Pause your breath (as long as you can without too much discomfort) and enjoy stillness.

   5. When you're ready, lift your chin back up and finish your inhale. Exhale and repeat beginning with the inhale before you retuck your chin and lift your chest.