The Heart Chakra | Anahata Chakra in Yoga

Heart Chakra, Anahata chakra, Fourth chakra

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THE HEART CHAKRA

ANAHATA

The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, at the level of the heart.

“Heal the chakra that influences social identity, love, and relationship.”

ANAHATA SYMBOL

Heart Chakra

FOURTH CHAKRA

Sanskrit Anahata

The Sanskrit word for the fourth chakra is Anahata, which means “unstruck” or “unhurt”.  

Two intersecting triangles form a 6-pointed star in a circle with 12 petals. One triangle, facing upward symbolizes Shiva, the male principle. The other triangle, facing downward, symbolizes Shakti, the female principle. A balance is attained when these two forces are joined in harmony. The seed sound in the center is YAM.

THE ELEMENT OF AIR

The heart chakra is located at the center of the chest, cardiac plexus, thymus gland, lungs, and breasts (at the height of the thymus gland behind the sternum). It also rules the lymphatic system.  

It is considered the bridge between the lower, more earthly chakras (root, sacral, solar plexus) and the higher, more spiritual chakras (throat, third eye, crown). The heart chakra is associated with love, compassion, acceptance, and relationships. As such, the heart chakra is often seen as a crucial point in balancing and integrating our earthly and spiritual experiences.

Element of air. wind

Metaphorically, the element of air is often associated with qualities such as movement, expansion, lightness, and breath.

In the context of the heart chakra, the element of air symbolizes the free flow of energy, emotions, and love. Air is essential for life, and it is connected to the breath, which represents vitality and life force.

The heart chakra’s connection to the element of air suggests that it embodies the qualities of air within the human energy system. This includes a sense of spaciousness, openness, and a free-flowing nature in relationships and emotions. Like the wind that carries scents and sounds across vast distances, the heart chakra encourages us to spread love, compassion, and understanding to others.

Qualities of the Heart Chakra: The heart chakra represents love, empathy, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and peace. When the heart chakra is balanced and in harmony, individuals experience harmonious relationships, genuine connections with others, and a deep sense of inner peace. It encourages us to give and receive love openly and unconditionally.

Balancing and Activating: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and energy healing can help activate and balance the heart chakra. Focusing on cultivating love, kindness, and compassion in one’s life can also aid in balancing this chakra and aligning with the qualities associated with the element of air.

It’s important to note that the association of chakras with elements can vary among different spiritual traditions and belief systems. The connection between the heart chakra and the element of air is one interpretation among many, and individuals may resonate with different associations based on their personal beliefs and practices.

SOCIAL IDENTITY

Anahata – Loving. 

Awakening to spiritual awareness.

Location

Middle of the chest, cardiac  plexus, on the breast bone at the level of the nipples .

Purpose

Healing, love, relationship, balance, breath, nurturing, open, compassionate, self-loving, authentic self, forgiveness and service.

Issues

Relationship, judging, jealous, possessive.

Glands/Organs

Thymus gland, heart, lungs, responsible for hormone production and important in the regulation of the immune system. Work organ is the hand.

Color

Green (higher energy frequencies can turn to pink).

Element

Air (vayu). Breathe deeply. Go out on a windy day and fly a kite. Drive with the windows down.

Plane

Plane of Balance.

Vital Breath

Prana.

Sense

Skin – Touch.  

Right

To love / Be loved.

Demon

Grief, sadness.

Seed Mantra or Bija Mantra

YAM. Meditate repeating the mantra Yam silently to yourself.

Sanskrit Sounds

ka, kha, ga, gha, wa cha, chcha, ja, jha, ngya, ta, tha.

Developmental stage

4 – 7 years.

Nutrition

Right diet to love your body.

Additional elements used in modern energy healing practices

Crystals or gemstones (pink quartz, clear quartz, jade, green calcite), and aromatherapy (rose, geranium, neroli, ylang ylang, jasmine, bergamot).

Affirmation

I love myself unconditionally. I give and receive love fully and effortlessly.

Exercise benefits

Circulation, increase of blood flow to heart and lungs.

Heart chakra, fourth chakra, anahata, anahata chakra

IMBALANCE

Do you experience difficulty in expressing love or lack of compassion or hopelessness?

An imbalance in the heart chakra can manifest in different ways, affecting a person emotionally, mentally, and physically.

 

DEFICIENCY OR UNDERACTIVE HEART CHAKRA

Emotional symptoms: Difficulty in expressing love, lack of empathy, feeling emotionally distant, fear of intimacy, inability to forgive, or a sense of unworthiness.

Physical symptoms: Respiratory issues, heart problems, circulation problems, and immune system weaknesses.

 

EXCESS OR OVERACTIVE HEART CHAKRA

Emotional symptoms: Being overly self-sacrificing, being overly needy or demanding in relationships, possessiveness, jealousy, and codependency.

Physical symptoms: Heartburn, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and other heart-related problems.

 

BLOCKED OR CLOSED HEART CHAKRA

Emotional symptoms: Difficulty in trusting, fear of getting hurt, isolation, being closed off emotionally, and struggling with forgiveness or letting go.

Physical symptoms: Respiratory issues, heart and lung diseases, and poor circulation.

To balance the heart chakra and address these imbalances, various holistic approaches can be used, including meditation, yoga, energy healing, affirmations, breathing exercises, aromatherapy, practicing self-love and self-compassion, engaging in healthy relationships, seeking professional help from therapists or energy healers.  Balancing the heart chakra is believed to promote emotional well-being, harmony, and a sense of connection with oneself and others. 

NOW REPEATING 3 TIMES

Loud or in Silent

“My heart is open to receive the energy of Love. I radiate this essence. I walk my path with ease and grace.”

In summary, the heart chakra is located in the center of the chest and is associated with love, compassion, empathy, acceptance, and inner peace. When the heart chakra is balanced and open, it allows for a deep connection with oneself and others, fostering love, understanding, and harmony. 

MEDITATION

YOGA PRACTICE

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Nancy M.Sc, ERYT-500

Bound Angle Pose – Baddha Konasana

I love connecting with great yogis. Being inspired by the teachings of renowned yogis, my passion for sharing the teachings of ancient science within modern practice is absolutely stunning.

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