The Anahata, or Heart Chakra, is one of seven main chakras in the energy body according to Hindu belief.
Located in the center of your chest, the Heart Chakra is the body’s love and compassion center. It primarily governs healing, empathy, kindness, and our relationships.
When your Heart Chakra is too closed, that means you’re closed-off from the energy this chakra governs.
This can lead to many signs and symptoms such as…
- Excessive isolation
- Crippling anxiety
- Self-critical thoughts
- Numbed emotions
- Feeling lifeless and sluggish
- Passive approach to life
- Lack of empathy
- Restless energy
- Difficulty forgiving or letting go
When your Heart Chakra is too open, that means you have an excessive amount of the energy this chakra governs.
This can also lead to many imbalances such as…
- Smothering displays of love
- Clinging
- Self-sacrificing behaviors
- Needing others approval and attention
- Playing the role of savior
- Deeply jealous feelings
- Terrified to be alone
When your Heart Chakra is balanced, that means that you’re able to freely enjoy the harmonized energies that this chakra governs.
When this chakra center is balanced, you might notice that you…
- Deeply love and accept yourself (and others)
- Approach your relationships with healthy boundaries
- Easily give and receive love
- Freely feel your emotions (without repression or projection)
How to Balance the Heart Chakra:
- Practice a “Loving Kindness” Meditation—begin by sitting in a comfortable position and allowing yourself to feel total loving kindness towards you! And once you feel your own love, then extend that loving kindness towards your loved ones, then those you are neutral towards, and finally towards those you’ve had discord with.
- Chant “YAM”: pronounced as “yaaaaahm”—the mantra that rules the Heart Chakra
- Work with Heart Chakra crystals: such as fuchsite, chrysophase, emerald, jade, and rose quartz
- Eat green foods: kiwis, green apples, pears, celery, leafy greens, avocados, zucchini
- Practice chest-opening stretches and yoga poses
- Practice a forgiveness ritual, such as Ho’oponopono—repeat “I love you, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you” as you meditate on the person/situation you’re looking to forgive.
- Use affirmations such as, “I love myself unconditionally”, “As I connect more deeply with myself, so can I connect more deeply with others”, and “I forgive myself and others – I no longer allow the past to hurt me.”
