The Heart Chakra, sometimes called Anahata, shapes our capacity for compassion, love, empathy and beauty. This chakra is connected to the intensity with which you care for others, are emotionally aware and ultimately how peaceful you feel. Located directly above the heart this chakra is driven by the principles of transformation and integration.  

The emphasis here is on love, giving, receiving, and being open in relationships with others and most of all with ourselves.  Love is the energy that helps transfigure all emotions and experiences.

When your heart chakra is fully open and properly aligned you feel a deeply connected, harmonious exchange of energy with all that is around you and an innate appreciation of beauty. You feel loving, calm and full of vibrancy.

However, chakras can often move out of alignment or develop blockages that may be minor or major but will always lead you to feel physically or emotionally off balance.  Blocked heart chakra symptoms can include feeling withdrawn, restless, distrustful, impatient, and irritable.  We’ve all felt it.  Hello 2020.  

The heart chakra is connected to the thymus which is in charge of regulating the immune system.  So it’s not surprising that many times, when our heart is blocked, we often feel depleted and unwell.  

The heart chakra is the center through which we experience beauty in life and, when balanced, supports us in living in a state of openness and acceptance bringing us in touch with our world and ourselves in profound and fulfilling ways.

The beautiful news is that we do not have to remain blocked no matter how much heartbreak, trauma, or discomfort we’ve experienced in our past.  We are all incredibly capable of being our own greatest healers.  Here are a few simple and sweet ways to start opening your heart right now and inviting in everyday love and compassion.   

Key Attributes of the Heart Chakra

Gland: Thymus

Color: Green

Element: Air

Associated Animal: Antelope

Healing Practices to Balance the Heart Chakra

Crystals

Crystals are so simple to use for realignment and balance. Wear your crystals as jewelry, drop one in your bag, under your pillow, or hold one in your hand during meditation. The following crystals  are known to be most connected to heart healing 

• Jade known as the ultimate “lucky” gemstone attracts more love energy and abundance into your life and helps in healing matters of the heart.

• Green calcite is traditionally used to absorb negativity and is especially helpful when you are finding it hard to feel empathy or compassion.

• Green aventurine is linked to energy, vitality, and inspiration. It is said to soothe difficult emotions and to assist in bouncing back from emotional roadblocks.

• Rose quartz also called the “heart stone” is one of the best to help in healing emotional traumas. It carries energies of nourishment, tenderness, peace, and unconditional love.

Essential Oils

Another easy and delightful way to open your heart chakra is through the essence of scent and aroma.  Balancing this chakra is very much akin to waking up to the world around you and smelling the roses.  Apply directly to the center of your chest, palms, or even a few drops to your pillow to sweeten your dreams.  

• Sandalwood keeps us open to receiving love, introspection compassion, thoughtfulness, and consideration.

• Geranium with its sweet and floral aroma is a great choice to calm your nerves and relieve some of your daily stress.

• Rose allows you to feel unconditional love and create a sense of well-being while awakening your ability to self-nurture.

• Neroli is a natural regulator of the nervous system that opens the heart, uplifts your spirit, and encourages confidence, joy, and peace.

Diet

What you eat every day can have a huge influence on energy centers and you can choose foods to suit a particular chakra that is causing trouble.

• Green is the color of the heart chakra so choose green-colored fruits and vegetables such as arugula, artichoke, asparagus, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, apples, grapes, and pears. All of these can help balance your heart. Sip on (obviously) green tea and matcha throughout the day to keep the heart chakra in healthy condition. Spice up your meals with endless fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, cilantro, and parsley.

Ultimately, the more you treat yourself in loving and kind manner the more your heart expands and the more love you call into your world. So go get that heart pumping.