Heart Chakra

This month, we’re discussing the fourth chakra, Anahata, or our Heart Chakra.

A Recap of the Chakras

Chakra is the Sanskrit word for “wheel.” The seven chakras as we know them are a modern Western interpretation of an ancient concept from Hinduism. However, there are parallel ideas and observations from healing systems and healers across cultures and time periods. The chakras are energy centers in and around the body. Each corresponds to a color and specific parts of the body. It also corresponds to particular mental and emotional experiences. These beautiful wheels of color are a brilliant way of illustrating the inseparable mind-body connection in human health and wellness. In this series, we’ll be exploring each chakra and holistic approaches to caring for them.

Anahata

Anahata, the Heart Chakra, is the great junction of the chakra system. Anahata is situated between the lower three chakras – energy centers largely concerned with the function and survival of the physical body, and the upper three chakras – energy centers largely concerned with our mental and spiritual lives. As might be expected, where mind and body merge, we find ourselves in a relational space. For this reason, we associate the Heart Chakra with love and our connections to others. A balanced Heart Chakra allows us to cultivate compassion for ourselves and others.

Anahata is represented by a six-pointed star in the center of a twelve-petaled lotus flower. The six-pointed star, which you may know as the Star of David in Judaism, is a symbol with meaning across many religions. In Western magick, it is used to represent the combination of all four elements. Fire is a triangle which points upward, while water points downward, and their points of intersection create the lines used in the air and earth symbols. In Hinduism, the symbol is known as Shatkona and similarly represents the union of masculine and feminine.

The Heart Chakra is a vibrant emerald green. This color, which we see more than any other in most landscapes we inhabit, has a calming effect on the mind and body. The green chlorophyll in plants fosters the same respiration process as the lungs in our Heart Chakra. We frequently use it in settings where we want to promote calm and relaxation. A rosy pink is also associated with Anahata, reflecting a warm and loving heart.

Body

Anahata sits in the center of our chest and governs the heart, lungs, and thymus gland. You’re probably well acquainted with the functions of your heart and lungs, which take in oxygen and distribute it along with other nutrients throughout the body via your bloodstream.

The thymus gland is located in the chest above the heart. It’s responsible for producing T-cells, white blood cells that help to govern your immune system. The thymus produces most of these cells before we hit puberty and is not active in most adults.

Physical symptoms of an unbalanced heart chakra can include fatigue, palpitations, pain, poor circulation, coughing, and other breathing problems. Because these issues can be associated with very serious conditions, we insist that you seek care from a qualified medical professional if you experience them. Heart chakra work must be done in addition to, not instead of, good healthcare.

The lungs serve as an excellent illustration of the mind-body connection held by Anahata. Breath is the only bodily function that so easily switches between our direct control and passive functioning. When we aren’t thinking about it, we breathe. When we sleep, we breathe. When we feel we can do nothing else, we breathe. But, when we need to dive under water, we hold our breath. When we practice pranayama, we direct the breath. When we push through a labor contraction or lift up a heavy stone, we use our breath to assist us. Our breath is primal, basic, and physical, and yet our breath is mental. And to add yet another level to its significance, the very word “spirit” comes directly from the Latin for breath.

Practicing breathwork is a vital way to assist with the physical functions of your Heart Chakra and improve cardiovascular health. Without changing anything, take a moment to focus on your breathing. Where is your breath? Does it stop at your throat, your collar bones, or deep in your lungs? Where are your shoulders in relation to your head? How are your shoulders, pelvis, and the vertebrae of your spine stacked? Now, take a deep breath that expands your belly and all the way up, sighing out of your mouth. Notice how a deep breath relaxes and aligns your body.

That’s not all it does. Breathwork has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate and promote relaxation. Additional downstream benefits include improved sleep and immune function and reduced inflammation. Breathwork can also be a lot of fun. Improving your lung capacity is like any other exercise, in which you can measure your progress. Tracking your resting heart rate and breaths per minute are a great way to see tangible results in your cardiovascular health.

Yoga poses that bend the back are wonderful for opening the heart. A gentle bridge or cobra is a great starting point. Fish is an option that supports Vishuddha as well as Anahata. For a more advanced stretch, try camel. To draw energy toward the heart chakra, inhale and raise your hands above your head in a wide circle. Exhale as you draw them down and together into prayer position at the center of your chest.

Other ways to support your cardiovascular health include getting regular exercise. Look for activities that keep your blood pumping and your breath moving, like walking, running, swimming, dancing, or biking. High intensity interval training, or HIIT, and strength training are also important ways to maintain a healthy heart. Mix these with exercises like yoga and tai chi which promote relaxation and support a warm, open heart.

Foods that support the Heart Chakra include leafy greens and iron-rich foods. Greens are high in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and aids in elimination. We need iron to produce red blood cells and effectively regulate the immune system.

Mind and Spirit

Everything we said above about breathwork? That goes double for the mental and spiritual aspects of Anahata. But that’s just the tip of the rose quartz. There is so much we can do to take good care of our Heart Chakra in big and small ways.

Culturally, we tend to talk about “matters of the heart” exclusively in the context of romantic relationships. While these relationships are very much within the realm of the Heart Chakra, they aren’t necessarily the most important part. Before our hearts can shine out to others, we need to be able to nurture love for ourselves.

Resentment, anger, and bitterness all take up space in our hearts. We’re able to clear that space through forgiveness so that we can fill it with love and compassion, but we can only do that through intentional and consistent practice. For many of us, it’s hardest to apply that practice to ourselves. Using an activity that’s already a part of your day-to-day life can be a great way to anchor a routine for self-compassion. For instance, you can incorporate it into your shower by taking a moment to wash away feelings of resentment, anger, and grief. Envision a bright light emanating from your heart center, growing stronger with your care. Say out loud phrases like, “I love you,” and “I forgive you.”

From a balanced center, you can strengthen Anahata through acts of compassion and kindness. Think of soul work. Caring for community and the environment are two of the best ways you can take care of your own Heart Chakra. Find ways to serve that use your unique gifts and experiences. Try volunteering with a non-profit or getting involved in local mutual aid initiatives. Fostering organic relationships with members of your community in need will help to strengthen the sense of oneness that fuels our loving hearts.

Spending time with the people and animals you love is another necessity for the heart. Companionship provides not only the shared laughter and joy of the good times but helps to ease the burden of the heard ones. Physical touch releases vital hormones like oxytocin, promoting relaxation and good health.

There are also lots of ways to strengthen the heart chakra while flying solo. Laugh along to a funny movie or TV show. Let yourself have a good cry. Treat yourself to a healing bath or self-massage. Spend time out in nature, breathing deeply.

Additional Support

The Heart Chakra comes with arguably the best support of all the chakras – namely chocolate. Chocolate is rich in the mineral magnesium, which is excellent for heart health, as well as bone, muscle, and several other body functions. You can also apply magnesium topically through sprays or even taking epsom baths.

Magnesium is in a family of electrolytes, which carry an electrical charge to perform functions throughout our muscles and nervous system. We lose these minerals when we sweat and need to replenish them through our diet. We, of course, are very partial to salt and are happy to provide it in a variety of ways.

Vitamin D, omega acids, and herbs like garlic are all tried and true favorites for supplementation to support the cardiovascular system, but we also recommend extracts and tinctures that help us deal with grief, trauma, and other emotional injuries that weigh on the heart.