UNLOCKING
THE THROAT
CHAKRA
How to reconnect
with your inner voice
W W W . S A R A H B R I C K E L . C O M
WHAT ON EARTH IS A CHAKRA?
Stay with me....Just for a moment imagine your body
as a car with wheels. Each chakra is a wheel that keeps
you moving smoothly along the road of life. When all
your wheels are spinning in sync, you’re happily
cruising along, feeling balanced and energised. But if
one wheel is out of alignment, like, say, your throat
chakra, suddenly your journey gets a bit bumpy, a bit
uncomfortable and maybe you don’t quite get to
where you were heading to. You might feel stuck,
struggle to express yourself, or feel like you’re revving
the engine but not getting very far.
The 7 chakras are energy centres in the body, each
associated with different aspects of our physical,
emotional, and spiritual well-being. They run along the
spine, from the base to the crown of the head, and
each chakra governs a specific area of life:
So, let’s explore how we can get your throat chakra
wheel spinning and in balance, so you can speak your
truth, sing authentically and move forward with a little
more ease.
WHAT IS THE THROAT CHAKRA?
If you are anything like me and are interested in going a
bit deeper with your vocal practice and connecting with
your inner voice, then you might want to start exploring
some energy work starting with your throat chakra!
The throat chakra, also known as Vishuddha in Sanskrit, is
the fifth chakra in the body’s energy system and is located
at the center of the throat. It is associated with
communication, self-expression, and inner truth.
Represented by the colour blue, this chakra governs our
ability to speak clearly, listen deeply, and express
ourselves authentically.
When balanced, the throat chakra allows us to share our
thoughts and feelings openly, communicate with
confidence, and be true to our inner voice. However,
when blocked or overactive, it can lead to issues like fear
of speaking up, misunderstandings, or even over-
assertiveness.Or you may suffer physical symptoms such
as horseness, sore throat, neck pain or thyroid issues.
So what can we do to balance the throat chakra and begin
to unlock our inner voice?
BREATHWORK
Lion’s Breath, Simhasana Pranayama, is a powerful
breathing technique in yoga designed to release
tension, stimulate the throat chakra, and encourage a
sense of empowerment, release and confidence.
To practice Lion’s Breath, sit comfortably (either on
your knees or with your legs crossed), place your
hands on your knees, and take a deep inhale through
your nose. As you exhale, open your mouth wide, stick
out your tongue, and make an intense and powerful
audible “ha” sound.
This exaggerated exhalation, combined with the open
mouth and extended tongue, resembles a roaring lion.
Lion’s Breath helps release pent-up stress, improves
circulation in the face and throat, and activates the
throat chakra, supporting clear self-expression and
emotional release.
SOUND VIBRATION
Sound Vibration for the Throat Chakra involves using
vocal sounds, like chanting “HAM” (the throat
chakra's bija mantra) or humming, to release tension
and activate this energy center. The sound “HAM,”
when chanted slowly and with intention, resonates
directly in the throat area, helping to clear
blockages, reduce strain, and open the pathways for
authentic self-expression.
Humming can have a similar effect, creating gentle
vibrations that relax the muscles around the throat
and stimulate energy flow. Humming is also said to
promote relaxation and happiness. Both practices are
simple yet effective ways to harmonise the throat
chakra and support calm, confident communication.
VISUALISATION
A Visualisation for the Throat Chakra involves
imagining a blue light, , the colour associated
with this energy center, glowing softly in your
throat area.
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and
focus your attention to your throat area. Picture a
blue light radiating and building in intensity with
every in breath. Sit quietly with this for a while
and notice any sensations, thoughts or emotions
that may arise.
This visualisation helps balance and energise the
throat chakra, promoting relaxation and
supporting open, honest communication.
Practicing this regularly can help release tension,
clear blockages, and encourage a sense of clarity
and confidence in understanding and expressing
your true self.
YOGA POSES/STRETCHING
Certain yoga poses like Cat-Cow, Cobra, and Childs
Pose are particularly beneficial for opening and
balancing the throat chakra. Doing gently stretching
exercises and energising the neck and throat area
can help to release blockages, enhance
communication and encourage self-expression.
You can start with simple head and neck stretches
that help relieve tension, increase flexibility, and
improve circulation in the neck and throat area. These
exercises also support relaxation and balanced
energy flow.
SIMPLE HEAD AND NECK
STRETCHES
1. Looking Left and Right - Slowly turn your head to look
over each shoulder. This simple twist stretches the sides of
the neck and releases stiffness.
2. Side Neck Stretch - Gently tilt your head to one side,
bringing your ear toward your shoulder, and hold for a few
breaths. Switch sides. This stretch helps relieve tightness
along the sides of the neck.
3. Forward and Backward Tilt - Drop your chin to your
chest to stretch the back of your neck, then gently lift your
chin up toward the ceiling to open the front of the throat.
These movements ease tension and improve mobility.
4. Neck Rolls - Slowly roll your head in a semi circular
motion, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. This
releases stiffness and tension in the neck muscles.
These stretches are simple yet effective for reducing neck
and throat tension, improving posture, and supporting and
opening and unlocking the throat chakra.
CAT COW
Cat-Cow Pose - In this flowing movement,
alternating between arching and rounding the
spine, you lengthen the front and back of the
neck, releasing tension and encouraging
flexibility. It helps increase circulation to the
throat area, making it easier to express yourself
freely.
CAT POSE
COW POSE
COBRA POSE
Cobra Pose - By lifting the chest and slightly
tilting the head back, Cobra Pose opens the
front of the throat, energizing the throat chakra
and promoting confidence in communication. It
encourages deep breathing, which helps with
both expression and release.
COBRA POSE
CHILDS POSE
Child’s Pose is a gentle, restorative yoga posture
that can help balance the throat chakra by
encouraging inward focus, release, and relaxation.
In this pose, as you rest your forehead on the mat
and relax your neck, you allow tension in the throat
and jaw to soften naturally.
Child’s Pose also promotes a feeling of
groundedness and safety, which can help with self-
reflection and connecting to your inner voice. This
quiet posture supports the throat chakra by
creating a calm environment for honest self-
expression and deep listening, both to yourself and
others.
CHILDS POSE
HOW WILL THIS HELP MY SINGING
Balancing the Throat Chakra offers significant benefits
for singers by enhancing vocal clarity, range, and
confidence. When the throat chakra is balanced,
singers can experience:
1. Improved Vocal Expression - Clear energy flow in
the throat chakra allows singers to express themselves
authentically, making their voice more powerful and
resonant.
2. Reduced Tension and Strain - A balanced throat
chakra helps release physical tension in the neck,
shoulders, and jaw, reducing vocal strain and fatigue
during singing.
3. Enhanced Breath Control - Harmonising this chakra
supports deeper, more relaxed breathing, which is
crucial for improving vocal control.
4. Increased Confidence and Presence - A healthy
throat chakra encourages singers to connect with their
inner voice, reducing performance anxiety and
supporting a confident, open-hearted presence on
stage.
OPEN MIND!
The throat chakra is essential for authentic self-
expression and clear communication. By balancing
this energy centre, we can speak our truth with
confidence, reduce tension, and improve both vocal
and emotional well-being.
Simple practices like breathwork, chanting, and
yoga can help open the throat chakra, allowing for a
deeper connection with our inner voice and
facilitating more genuine, empowered interactions in
our relationships and our approach to the world.
When the throat chakra is in harmony, we unlock the
ability to express ourselves fully and authentically.
So why not give these tips a try and see how it feels
for you!
