The heart chakra’s energy is about love…but maybe not in the way you think. Continue reading to explore more about this energy center and to discover valuable tips on how you can heal your heart chakra.
By engaging in chakra work, we open ourselves up to a profound journey of self-discovery. The chakra system offers valuable insights into the harmonious interplay between our body, mind, and energy.
Throughout this series, we are delving into the intricacies of each of the seven main chakras.
So far we’ve covered the root chakra, sacral chakra, and solar plexus, now we’re up to the heart chakra, the bridge between the upper and lower chakras.
If you’re new to the chakras and want to learn more about the basics, read this post here: What Are The Chakras?
What is the heart chakra?
The heart chakra, the fourth energy center in the chakra system, serves as a bridge between the lower and upper chakras. It facilitates the integration of spiritual aspects associated with the upper chakras and the humanity of the lower chakras. It reminds us that we are not only spiritual beings, but also participants in the human experience. Connecting with the heart chakra enables us to merge spirituality with the physical world.
This energy center is located where you think it’s located…at the heart, or more specifically in the center of your chest. The heart chakra’s energy can be accessed by directing your awareness to the center of your chest, and then focusing your attention a little bit inward. Your arms and hands are also extensions of this energy center.
In Sanskrit, the heart chakra is known as ‘Anahata.’ Anahata chakra and the heart chakra are the same thing.
While the heart chakra is about love, it’s not necessarily romantic love. Romantic love has more ties to the sacral chakra as much of this type of love is centered around intimacy.
The heart chakra is about ‘unconditional’ love for all that is. This means not only other people in this world, but also animals, the earth, the plant life etc. Through the heart chakra, we recognize our interconnectedness and are able to expand our love and awareness beyond ourselves.
Heart Chakra & The Air Element
The heart chakra is associated with the element of air.
To comprehend this connection, let’s explore the practice of pranayama, which refers to breathwork in yoga.
The word “prana” means life force or our life’s energy. The practice of pranayama uses the breath to interact with this energy. This life force energy holds a deep connection to the heart chakra since the heart is the meeting point of our spiritual essence and our human existence.
Considering the breath’s profound influence on interacting with our life force energy (which is closely related to our heart), it becomes evident how the element of air aligns with the heart chakra.
What does a balanced heart chakra look like?
When the heart chakra is in a state of balance, you are able to give and receive love freely.
This balance enhances your capacity to connect with others as you recognize the shared human experience that we all undergo.
It fosters an awareness of interconnectedness, prompting you to extend love and respect to all forms of life.
When this energy center is balanced, you live in a centered state. This is because the heart is literally the center point of all the chakras. Based on it’s location, the heart’s energy enables you to balance your external world with your internal world. By achieving equilibrium between these aspects, you attain the state of being centered.
What does an unbalanced heart chakra look like?
Similar to other chakras, the heart chakra can become imbalanced when there is either insufficient energy flow or excessive energy flow.
Remember, this is looking deeper into our energetic connection to the mind and body. While working with your energy can most definitely create profound effects, it’s not intended to replace medical treatment. If you’re experiencing physical, mental, or emotional symptoms, consult with your medical doctor.
Insufficient energy in the heart chakra may manifest as difficulties in giving and receiving love, as well as challenges in connecting with others.
Excessive energy in the heart chakra may be observed in ‘people pleasers’ or in individuals who constantly prioritize others’ needs over their own. If this area has excessive energy, it’s likely that one or more of the other six chakras are lacking sufficient energy.
An imbalanced heart chakra may be seen physically in the way of forward-rounded shoulders, this type of posture closes off the heart space.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the heart chakra and what it’s energy is all about, let’s look at 7 different ways to heal your heart chakra and to find balance within this energy center.
7 Tips To Heal Your Heart Chakra
1. Heart Opening Yoga Poses
Although this one may not surprise you, it’s honestly extremely effective for healing your heart chakra and is probably my favorite one on this list.
When this area is closed off physically, such as when the shoulders are rounded forward and the upper back rounded, it’s difficult for the energy to flow freely here. By opening through this area with heart openers, you can create a surprising amount of energy flow. These types of postures signal to your heart chakra that you are ready and willing to heal and to create balance here.
One of the best yoga poses for heart opening is anahatasana (also known as heart melting pose). This pose literally has the heart chakra (anahata) in it’s name. And as an added bonus, this one is great for working on upper back mobility.
For those looking for more guidance with this tip, here is a 15 minute yoga flow that works on heart opening & stretching through the chest muscles: Heart Opening Yoga
2. Breathwork Practices
As a recap from earlier in this post, the element associated with the heart chakra is air. We can connect with the air element through breathwork practices which allow us to interact with the life force energy associated with this chakra.
While specifically dedicating time to practice breathwork can be very powerful, a simple way to use the breath to balance the heart chakra is to check in with your breath throughout your day.
Are you breathing properly with your diaphragm muscle?
So many people breathe incorrectly which not only impacts the chakras, it also impacts the physical body.
This post goes into more detail on this topic and teaches you how to breathe with your diaphragm: Breathe The Right Way With Diaphragmatic Breathing
If you want to specifically work on breathwork, there are many different types of pranayama practices out there. Here’s a 10 minute practice I’ve created that can help you get started: Breathwork Practice For Calming
3. Practice Self Love
Practicing self love can really help to heal your heart chakra.
Although the heart’s energy is about loving other beings in this world, you need to be able to love yourself before you can spread love to others.
When we truly experience self love, this spreads into the world around us and leaves us with a balanced heart chakra.
How can you show yourself some love today?
Read this post for some inspiration and ideas on generating self love: 5 Ways to Boost Your Self Love
4. Love and Compassion Meditation Practice
This is a type of meditation where you offer love and compassion to someone else. This can be someone you love or, someone you have difficulty getting along with.
The point is to bring your attention to the connectedness of the world.
Here’s a simple example of how you can do this:
Find a comfortable seated position and allow yourself to relax as you would for any other meditation practice. Once you’re in a state of relaxation, gently repeat this affirmation three times, “I offer love and compassion to ____.” Fill in the blank with the name of the person you wish to send your love and energy to. Throughout your meditation session, focus your attention on directing love and positive energy towards this individual.
5. Work on Energy Centering Through The Heart
I believe that you can center your energy in the third eye or in the heart, but for this tip we’ll focus on the heart since this is a heart chakra post!
The heart chakra centers energy from above and below. It helps us balance our existence in the material world and the spiritual world. It allows for both manifestation and liberation.
Working on centering your energy in the heart can be profoundly healing.
I already have an entire post dedicated to centering your energy so if this tip is resonating with you, check out that post for more information: How to Center Yourself and Your Energy
6. Connect With The Color Green
I like to add in the colors to each of these chakra posts because it’s an easy way to work on each energy center.
The heart chakra is associated with the color green.
The colors of the chakras align with the spectrum of the rainbow with each color vibrating at a higher frequency as you progress from the first chakra (red) to the higher chakras.
To encourage balance in your heart chakra, you can incorporate the color green in various ways. You can wear green clothing or a green aventurine bracelet, surround yourself with green objects, or spend time in a lush, green environment like a grass field.
The presence of green can serve as a reminder for your body and mind to harmonize and nurture the heart chakra.
7. Chant "Yam"
The heart chakra is associated with the seed sound or bija mantra “Yam.” Each chakra is believed to possess a specific word or sound that encapsulates and represents it’s core energy.
Utilizing these bija mantras offers a simple technique to balance and harmonize the energies within each chakra.
For the heart chakra, chanting the mantra “Yam” can assist in restoring balance and alignment. It’s recommended to say the mantra aloud, allowing the sound vibrations to resonate within you. Repeat the mantra as frequently as you intuitively feel necessary, honoring your personal needs and intuition.
I hope you found these 7 tips on how to heal your heart chakra helpful.
While all chakras are important, I find the heart chakra to have some special significance as it is the bridge between the upper and lower chakras.
This chakra is vital to helping you find balance in both your internal world and your external world.
The heart’s energy is really just so beautiful to connect with .
Cultivating love, compassion, and connection within your heart chakra can open you up to experience profound joy and can help you gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings. Let the beautiful energy of your heart chakra guide you towards a more centered, harmonious, and fulfilling life.
Read This Next: How To Balance Your Throat Chakra
Sources:
Judith, Anodea. Wheels Of Life: The Classic Guide To The Chakra System . Llewellyn Publications, 2019.
Kaivalya, Alanna. Chakra Yoga: A Beginner’s Guide to Chakra Healing. Alanna Kaivalya, 2016.
Discloser: Links included in this post may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links provided I may receive a small commission.