If you have noticed an influx of anger or jealousy in your life, you might have a blockage in your heart chakra.  As you begin to open this energetic space, you can cultivate more love into your life and feel more connection with communities around you.

Understanding Chakras

Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhist religions inform us that chakras are energetic points in the body where the physical and spiritual unite.  There are three points in the lower body, and three in the upper region, which are yoked by the heart chakra in the center of the chest.  Physically the heart chakra manifests as issues in the wellbeing of one’s heart, lungs, immune system and upper body muscles.  Spiritually, it promotes love, forgiveness and compassion in your life.

Heart Chakra Snapshot

Name in Sanskrit: Anahata (unhurt or unstruck)
Location: Center of the chest
Color: Green
Element: Air
Signs of balance: Easily able to give and receive love
Signs of blockage:  Difficulty loving yourself and others, jealousy, depression, selfishness, and grief

How to open the Heart Chakra

1. Use Incense and Essential Oils

Aromatherapy can hasten healing of Anahata and sparks one’s ability to love. Begin to open the heart chakra, by burning essential oils, candles, or incense infused with scents of rose, lavender, sandalwood, orange, and jasmine.

2. Utter Positive Affirmations

When you speak loving affirmations, you can begin to end old and toxic patterns.  This will help you open new avenues and facilitate healing.  Try reciting mantras like “I am open to love myself and others”, “I am willing to forgive”, or “I have an open heart”.  With time, these affirmations will promote more love and compassion into your life.

3. Yoga Practices Can Open Your Heart

There are many heart opening yoga poses.  Make sure you incorporate poses like upward facing dog, camel, and bridge where you drive your chest toward the sky and open your heart.

4. Infuse Healing Stones with Vibrational Love Energy

Chakras have unique frequencies and corresponding color.  Green and pink create the most vibration in the heart chakra.  Carrying around healing stone can help you better attune to chakra frequencies.  Select crystals like rose quartz, jade, green calcite, green tourmaline, or green aventurine to balance the heart chakra.

5. Recite Love Mantras

Mantras are sacred sounds, words, or phrases that create a meditative state similar to prayer.  Discover love mantras that speak to you and repeat them often to help balance your heart chakra.  Ground yourself and breathe deeply.  Consider reciting either aloud or silently the mantra, “om mani padme hum” to promote compassion and love energy in your life.