Unapologetically Authentic: The Throat Chakra & Eating Disorder Recovery
By Ashley Paige, Yoga for Eating Disorders Writer
“To be a consciousness or rather to be an experience is to hold inner communication with the world, the body and other people, to be with them instead of being beside them.” —Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Vissudha, the fifth chakra, also known as the throat or sound chakra, governs our communication; our right to speak and to be heard. Located in the throat, this chakra represents our creativity and self-expression. We feel heard, creative, and a sense of resonance when this chakra is balanced. However, when it is blocked, we feel misunderstood, over- or under talkative, and unable to listen.
How the Throat Chakra Relates to Eating Disorders
When we struggle with an eating disorder, we adopt the narratives of diet and beauty industries as our own. We learn in one or many moments that for whatever reason we are not okay. Then we try to protect ourselves from feeling vulnerable.
Where we once felt free to be our authentic selves, we now wear masks in order to feel loved, secure, or significant. To express our creativity feels dangerous because we worry about what others will think. We elevate their opinions of us over our own. This leads to a tendency for people pleasing in relationships. Setting boundaries can be a real challenge when we’re in this mindset. We look outside of ourselves for our sense of self and deny our wants, needs, and desires in favor of how we think we should show up in life.
How to Heal the Throat Chakra
Notice your behaviors that aren’t supporting your wellbeing and identify what thoughts they stem from. Do those thoughts belong to you, or a billion dollar industry whose aim is for you to doubt yourself? From there, you are empowered to make a conscious choice. Acting in favor of recovery is the most potent way to balance the throat chakra.
Most importantly, self-compassion must be at the foundation of recovering from an eating disorder. Understanding that the behaviors you previously engaged in were your brain’s way of protecting you is a start. Then remain curious about your process and release any self-judgment.
Practice affirmations that resonate with your nervous system and rewire your brain to change your beliefs. Here are some affirmations that relate to authenticity and open communication:
I communicate confidently and with ease.
I feel comfortable speaking my mind.
I am balanced in speaking and listening.
I am an active listener.
I speak my true thoughts with clarity.
I set clear boundaries.
I hear and speak the truth.
I communicate with respect and courage.
My voice is necessary.
I feel free to express my creativity.
When your nervous system feels overwhelmed, quiet your mind by practicing mindful breathing. As you inhale, see if you can notice the sensation of air passing your throat. As you exhale, imagine releasing anything that no longer serves you.
Understanding your right to speak your truth is a crucial step toward building self-worth and self-value. Ultimately, developing trust in your body’s wisdom will return you to unapologetic authenticity.
More on the Chakras
Interested in learning more about the chakras and eating disorders? Search the word ‘chakra’ on the Yoga for Eating Disorders Community Facebook group to learn more and do the free yoga practices and guided meditations we share.
Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Ashley is a yoga instructor and body image coach on the Pacific Southwest coast of Nicaragua. Through her recovery of orthorexia she transitioned from a rigorous asana practice to now healing, accepting, and connecting with her body through yoga philosophy. She’s rediscovering hobbies like psychology, baking, music and art, as well as pursuing new interests such as writing and surfing. She believes her healing journey can support others to overcome their own struggles with body image. Ashley writes for our blog and is founder of Ashley Paige Coaching.