Starting at the base of the spine, the heart chakra is the fourth of the seven major energy centers. In Sanskrit, the word for this chakra is anāhata, which translates to “unstruck,” “unhurt,” or “unbeaten.”
This chakra is associated with the color green and located in the center of the chest. It corresponds to the body areas and organs of the heart, lungs, upper torso, shoulders, hands, and arms. Energetically, it allows us to access joy, compassion, and love for ourselves and others.
Heart energy is the central powerhouse of the subtle body. It is the focal point, or bridge, that connects the three lower chakras relating to the physical world to the three upper chakras associated with intuition and spirituality.
The energies of the heart chakra are also associated with:
- Clairsentience
- Compassion
- Connection
- Discernment
- Emotions
- Equilibrium
- Expansion
- Love
- Peace
- Touch
- Tranquility
- Transformation
- Well-being
The heart chakra is symbolized by a green twelve-petaled lotus with a six-pointed start situated in its center. The 12 petals each represent the 12 divine qualities of the heart. The star is made of two triangles, one pointing up and the other down, and symbolizes the union and balance of dualistic energy, which is why this chakra is also known as the bridge. The symbolic dual energies being bridged can be interpreted as masculine (upward triangle) and feminine (downward triangle), pulling energy down (downward triangle) and raising energy up, or the material lower chakras (downward triangle) and the spiritual upper chakras (upward triangle).
Ruled by the element of air, anāhata’s function is to support harmony and ease through the release of stress and negativity, emotional balance, and allowing heavenly and earthly energies to merge and manifest as divine, synchronistic experiences. It is within our hearts that we can find true acceptance of our whole selves.
Signs your heart chakra is balanced
When the heart chakra is balanced and open, we can experience:
- Connectedness
- Depth in relationships with others
- Emotional sovereignty
- Fearlessness
- Generosity
- Gratitude
- Healthy boundaries
- Love for self and others
- Peace
- Trust
When in open flow, the heart chakra energy system is our generator of love and joy. In a balanced state, Anāhata brings us compassion, forgiveness, inner peace, kindness and security. It allows us to see the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world.
Signs your heart chakra is imbalanced
When the heart chakra is out of alignment, symptoms can be subtle or overt. They often surface as:
- A hardened heart
- Anxiety
- Defensiveness
- Fear of rejection
- Holding grudges
- Inability to receive or give love
- Lack of empathy
- Loneliness
- Shyness
- Struggle with commitment
Repressed emotions can gather and ferment in the heart chakra—as well as the body parts it governs—which blocks our access to love and be loved. For these reasons, it’s important to understand how to support this chakra into harmony.
How to activate the heart chakra
There are many tools available for you to engage and balance the energy of the heart. There is no one-size-fits-all or a single practice that works for everyone. You will be drawn toward specific approaches at different times, so allow your intuition to guide you. Direct your intention towards balance of the earthly and spiritual, love, forgiveness, compassion, or any other heart-centered themes.
Energetic tools for the heart chakra
Meditation is a dynamic and powerful mindfulness practice that deepens awareness, increases mental clarity, fortifies emotional stability, and reduces stress. Since this center controls the heart, lungs, and, consequently, the breath, you can try breathwork, or pranayama, by sitting with your eyes closed, focusing on your breath, and taking several deep inhales and exhales for a minute or so. There are various meditative practices attuned to the energies of the heart chakra.
While meditating, visualizing the color green or rose pink, focused in the heart-center, helps to bring this chakra into balance.
The use of anāhata chakra related gemstones during meditation (like emerald, green jade, peridot, and rose quartz) is a powerful, yet simple tool to incorporate into your meditation practice. Hold the gemstone(s) in your hand(s) or place them on or around the area of the heart chakra while meditating. You can also incorporate them into your altar, sacred space, wear them as jewelry, or place them in a pocket.
Holding the Anjali Mudra opens your heart and brings in a deep sense of gratitude.
Thinking, speaking, writing or creating art with affirmations can also powerfully assist you to bring your fourth chakra into harmonic alignment and full expression, such as:
- I love myself
- I am worthy of love
- I forgive myself and others
- I accept things as they are
- I inhale peace, I exhale disturbance
- My heart is filled with love, joy, and gratitude
- I have compassion for myself and others
- I radiate love and love flows to me
- I am united with all beings
- I attract strong, healthy relationships
- I am open to receiving love from others and the universe
- I allow myself to release stress and negativity
- I am grateful
Physical tools for the heart chakra
Activities
Yoga asanas, or postures, can be used to support heart energies, such as:
- Anjaneyasana, Low Lunge
- Camatkarasana, Wild Thing
- Chaturanga Dandasana, Push-ups
- Natarajasana, Dancer’s Pose
- Salamba Bhujangasana, Sphinx
- Sukhasana Garuda Arms, Eagle Arms
- Urdhva Dhanurasana, Wheel
- Ustrasana, Camel
Pranayama is a powerful practice, especially considering the element that governs the heart chakra is air. Deep breathing can bring peace and calm to the self and remove stuck or negative energy.
Get into open spaces and fresh air reorients not only your fourth chakra, but your entire system. Placing yourself in natural, green environments gives you a sense of expansiveness, which is vital for the heart to thrive.
Wear green or rose pink (or incorporate this color into your environment) to boost this chakra’s energy. Green reminds us consciously and subconsciously to return to the color of nature when we want to recharge the heart.
Any activity that sparks love, passion, and joy in you is your medicine. Follow the inspirations that ignite your heart, and do them frequently.
Foods
The heart chakra is supported by eating a variety of foods especially avocado, kale, spinach, cucumber, green apple, kiwi, and lime. Incorporate some of these foods into your meals and notice how they nourish you and your anāhata.
Herbs and essential oils
Chamomile calms overwhelm and promotes natural sleep.
Rose has been used for millennia in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East as the tonic to the heart. It’s also a natural aphrodisiac, helps alleviate depression, and uplifts ones mood.
Geranium, jasmine, lavender, and orange blossom also activate the inherent wealth of the heart chakra.
Explore your other chakras:
Throat Chakra
Third-Eye Chakra
Crown Chakra
The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional if seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.