9 Ways to Open Your Throat Chakra

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The throat chakra governs our ability to communicate effectively and express ourselves authentically. Here are 9 ways to open your throat chakra if you are having trouble with authentic self-expression.

What are chakras and why should they be “open”?

Chakras are spiritual energy centers in our bodies. We have seven of these energy wheels, and they are located in a column from the base of our spine to the top of our head. The job of our chakras is to ensure that energy flows smoothly through and out of our bodies without getting stuck.

However, if the chakras are blocked, energy doesn’t flow freely through the body. Stagnant energy may become trapped and result in various physical and psychic issues.

9 ways to open your throat chakra

Our throat chakra governs matters of expression and communication. When our throat chakra is open and functioning properly, we communicate clearly and express our truth without fear.

But if our throat chakra is blocked, we may feel inauthentic, misunderstood, or like we lack self-knowledge. If you feel like you’re holding your tongue too often, can’t find the right words for a given situation, or are living a life that doesn’t feel authentic or honest, your throat chakra may need some TLC.

Here are nine things that can help you open your throat chakra and enhance authentic self-expression.

1. Yoga poses that open the chest and throat.

Back when I was a lawyer and in denial that I really wanted to be a teacher and a writer, I was the only person who showed up to a yoga class one day. Feeling awkward AF, I scurried over to the cubbies, slapped on my flip-flops, and tried to get the fuck out of there before the teacher spotted me. But alas, no such luck.

I proceeded to have the most awkward one-on-one yoga session of my life, during which I discovered that I couldn’t tilt my head back without completely closing up my throat. The teacher was trying to get me to do a shoulder stand but I kept saying, “Hmm, my throat closes up when I do that, but I guess it’s normal to not be able to breathe in this position, right?” He replied, “No, that’s definitely not normal.”

To be honest, he wasn’t very helpful and I no longer go to that yoga studio. But now that I am learning more about chakras and how the throat chakra governs authentic living and being our true selves, I can’t help but wonder if that was a classic throat chakra blockage issue! It would make perfect sense for that time in my life.

So, if yoga is your thing, here are the four best poses to help you open your throat chakra. Each one is linked to a demonstration of the pose for you to follow.

• cat-cow;
• fish pose;
• camel pose; and
• shoulder stand

(If you’re having trouble sticking to a yoga routine, here’s a tip that may help!)

2. Affirmations for self-expression

Affirmations are positive statements that usually start with “I” and end with a positive quality or characteristic. The idea is that if you immerse your brain in positive self-talk, your perspective and in turn your actual experience of life will improve.

Here are some great affirmations for authentic self-expression:

• “I speak the truth to myself and others.”
• “I honor my true voice, and I let it speak.”
• “My voice is important in this world.”
• “I communicate confidently and with ease.”
• “It is safe for me to express my feelings and to create the life I desire.”
• “Everything I do is an expression of love.”

(Want more affirmations? 10 more positive affirmations to try this week.)

3. Hydrate

This one’s kind of a no-brainer but often overlooked, at least by me. Your throat needs lubrication, so stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and your favorite herbal tea each day.

4. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of certain scents for healing and wellbeing. It involves extracting essential oils from plants and infusing them into various products, including the oils themselves, candles, lotions, and more.

In other words, essential oils have strong fragrances that, when inhaled, can affect our mind, body, and spirit. The oils from different plants are believed to help with different ailments.

The best essential oils for opening your throat chakra are:

• jasmine;
• frankincense;
• geranium;
• sage; and
• clove

I personally like diffusing geranium and sage essential oils at home, wearing frankincense infused lotion, or drinking jasmine tea.

(Love essential oils? Click here for the best essential oils for productivity and working from home.)

5. Turquoise and other crystals

The throat chakra is a bright turquoise color. Working with turquoise and other blue crystals will channel the frequency of your throat chakra and help energy flow through it more efficiently.

In addition to turquoise, you can try these blue crystals:

• lapis lazuli
• aquamarine
• blue lace agate

And what do I mean by “working” with crystals? Decorating your home with them, holding them while you meditate, or carrying them around in your purse can all work.

My personal favorite way to work with crystals? Wearing them as intentional jewelry. In fact, here are a couple great Etsy finds for you to check out.

This minimalist blue lace agate necklace by Eleven Love on Etsy is made with 14-karat gold and perfect for layering. Notice that the healing powers of blue lace agate relate to self-expression, which is the domain of the throat chakra.

This turquoise pendant by The Pernisckety Co. on Etsy comes on a silver chain available in various lengths. Their product listing mentions turquoise’s tie to the throat chakra.

6. Wear blue

Along the same lines as working with throat chakra-colored crystals, wearing blue can also help heal your throat chakra. This is known as color therapy, and the idea is that color and light can balance the chakras. Since the frequency of the energy that goes through the throat chakra is blue, then adding blue into your life can help open your throat chakra.

A fun way to add healing intention to your style is on your nails!

Clockwise from the top center we have:

•  ILNP Ultra Holographic Nail Polish in Sail Away
• Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Combustealble
• China Glaze Nail Polish in Beauty & the Beach
• OPI Scotland Collection Nail Lacquer in Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-K
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x Jelly Belly Nail Polish in Berry Blue
• essie Nail Color in Coat Azure
• Sally Hansen Pure Vegan Nail Polish in Crystal Blue

(Click here to read more about discovering and expressing your authentic style.)

7. Talk it out.

What’s on your mind? What’s bothering you? Confide in someone. Not only will talking to a friend make you feel better because you are expressing your truth, but connecting with others nourishes our soul.

So, make a habit to phone or FaceTime a friend. Get a Zoom happy hour or afternoon tea going. Or, at the very least, have a constant group text going like I do with my gal pals.

8. Write it out.

Writing is an especially powerful form of self-expression. Why? Because sometimes the act of writing unlocks thoughts and feelings you didn’t even know you wanted to express. As an English teacher, I teach my students that writing isn’t just transferring your thoughts from your brain to your paper. It’s actually creating and developing your thoughts as you go!

If you don’t already, start keeping a journal if you suspect your throat chakra is blocked.  And then, if you’e feeling brave or realize that someone really needs to hear what you are communicating in your journal, write them a letter or an email.

The more we communicate our thoughts and feelings, the better we will get at it.

9. Sing

I’ve saved my favorite for last! Singing is such a magical and fun way to open your throat chakra. It is the ultimate self-expression, not to mention it literally stretches your voice box like you would a muscle.

My particular favorite thing to do when I am feeling icky is some YouTube karaoke at home in my living room. Since nobody asked, my go-to karaoke songs include “Stay” by Rihanna, “Mean” by Taylor Swift, and “At Last” by Etta James. What are yours? Let me know in the comments below!

And for those of you who don’t fancy yourselves singers, humming and whistling count too. Just get those larynxes going in a way that feels good to you.

How do you feel about your throat chakra, and which of these throat openers do you see yourself trying in the future? Let me know in the comments below!