The Fifth Chakra
The fifth chakra is blue in color. It is situated at the throat, and it resonates to the note "g" on the tonal scale. It has to do with consciously expressing your creativity, and getting your gifts out into the world. It is also related to speaking your truth...saying what you need to say and asking for what you need.
A stiff neck, persistent cough, sore throat, or a repeated need to clear the throat indicate problems with this chakra. One of the most obvious signs of a blocked throat chakra is the sensation of having a lump in your throat. If you swallow your pain or your side of the story, or if you dissolve into tears and can't express your feelings verbally, you need to heal the throat chakra. Often people who struggle with this part of the energetic body have not been allowed to speak their truth growing up. They may be in denial about an aspect of their lives that is painful. Children are very perceptive, (which is related to the sixth chakra,) and often embarrass their parents with the clear sightedness with which they possess when observing adults. This is when the shushing starts.
A keen sense of timing, accurate rhythm, and good ear indicate a healthy functioning fifth chakra. This energy center is also connected to being a good listener. Having an accurate memory for musical details and accents shows that it is functioning optimally.
Those who interrupt, dominate the conversation, or think about what they're going to say while someone else is speaking have problems with this energy center. Also, people who are verbally abusive, who yell, swear, gossip, or lie have an imbalanced throat chakra. Verbal abuse includes not speaking to people, interrupting them, and countering them. Words are very powerful, and when a person practices discernment in speech it reflects spiritual development and maturity. The more you speak and live your truth, the more your radar for truth increases. Children and animals naturally have maintained this instinct, because they are honest, direct, and in tune with their feelings. It has been said that genius is truth. This is very evident in great artists and in Olympic athletes. Striving for perfection, some are able to attain it. In gymnastics, it was Nadia who opened my eyes to this thrilling feeling of wonder and excitement. She possessed such a remarkable combination of talent, training, and discipline, as well as having nerves of steel.
In ballet, beautiful use of the head is a sign of a healthy throat chakra. When there are problems here the dancer may jut the chin forward, retract it back, or squeeze the neck. The head should float. It should move freely, like a bird, listening to the Earth as it gathers worms.
Many addictions enter the body through this chakra: food, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana...People with addictions often will substitute one addiction for another. An alcoholic might give up liquor but switch to drinking large amounts of coffee. Dance can even become an addiction. An addiction is anything we use to avoid painful emotions and to make ourselves feel better. I personally feel that with the advent of cell phones, we have a new crew of addicts: those addicted to talking on the telephone. With all of the new communication devices now available, many people now have forgotten how to really listen or give their full attention to the task at hand.
Neck rolls, turning the head, inclining it and moving it side to side, (middle Eastern style,) are all healing exercises for the neck. Shoulderstand is also excellent for this energy center, because it stimulates the thyroid gland. When this gland is sluggish, a dancer may struggle with their weight. When it is functioning at peak condition, the body burns its fuel more efficiently.
Gifted intuitive Sonia Choquette points out that when the heart and throat chakra are open and functioning optimally, we are able to speak our truth from the heart, so that we say what we need to say without hurting ourselves or others. When it is blocked, we may say things we regret, cause harm, or that rupture relationships.
Creating beauty is also very healing for the throat chakra, as is spending time in beautiful surroundings. Whether it's a thriving garden, or a performance that inspires and energizes you, this experience alters your consciousness in an uplifting way. When people create something with their talent and individuality and share it with the world, they are operating from their throat chakra. When we see the accumulation of hard work, timing, destiny, and cooperation, we feel the magic of Divine energy. This can happen as an observer, as a teacher, as a student...or in some cases all three. We find it by holding our focus and not being brought down by those who have lost sight of their dreams and sunken into mal intent or depression. It's the opposite energy...it's forward movement, and trusting that the best is yet to come.