The heart chakra is the fourth of the 7 chakras . In Sanskrit , it is called Anahata , meaning " point of life", "endless", "uninterrupted ". It is located in the center of the sternum, at heart level, and is symbolized by the color green. So how do you balance it? What signs indicate that your heart chakra is closed, or on the contrary, too open? Focus on the chakra of love , joy and inner peace .
Meaning and role of the heart chakra
The heart chakra is the chakra that gives you the ability to love, give and accept. It allows you to love yourself, to develop your capacity to love others and to receive their love. This 4th chakra promotes empathy , compassion and forgiveness. An open heart chakra helps restore balance to the body and mind , and allows you to feel relaxed, connected, safe and fearless, even in stressful environments.
This vital energy is given the color green and the symbol of a lotus with 12 petals.
The Heart chakra is the bridge between the first three chakras ( root chakra , sacral chakra and solar plexus chakra ) and the last three ( throat chakra , third eye chakra and crown chakra ).
What are the signs of an unbalanced heart chakra?
When the heart chakra is open, it is balanced: this brings you towards an open-mindedness and an openness towards the world and others. You have a developed joie de vivre , you feel free and confident.
When the Heart chakra is not well open, people tend to put themselves aside and not want to create a relationship of sharing and trust with others. They become more demanding, more critical and possessive . They are moody, can fall into depression or paranoia.
When this chakra is closed, you feel negative behaviors arising within you: you are defensive, feel jealousy, and want to isolate yourself, to distance yourself from others. So you are unable to connect with others.
But be careful: the heart chakra can also be opened. You may then notice too much dedication to others in order to receive love and recognition , or, conversely, being too oriented towards yourself, and being egocentric and narcissistic.
Causes of an Unbalanced Heart Chakra
The causes of an imbalanced Anahata chakra can be numerous. This can in particular come from a fear of reliving suffering (mental or emotional) already experienced in the past. The imbalance can also arise from the loss of a loved one, from a lack of open-mindedness .
If you do not accept yourself as you are, if you keep your feelings to yourself, if you never dare to assert yourself, or if you only live for others and rarely think about yourself, then your heart chakra may be imbalance.
Finally, if you no longer dream , and if you think that happiness is inaccessible, then your Anahata chakra also needs to be reharmonized.
How to open your heart chakra?
The mantras
In order to open the heart chakra , you can test the “ Bijas mantra ”. These are sacred sounds that can be sung. The bija mantra of the heart chakra is “ Yam ”. To recite them in French, several positive affirmations accompany you:
- “I am open to love”
- “All love resides in me.”
Yoga
To open your heart chakra , you can also perform yoga postures that stretch the muscles in your back and chest. The cobra pose, the bridge pose and the camel pose can here support you in your goal.
The stones
In lithotherapy , the stone associated with the heart chakra is rose quartz . This stone is used to open and balance the 4th chakra. It promotes unconditional love , emotional healing and compassion .
Malachite is also interesting for promoting inner peace . It is often used for meditation. If you cannot accept your past, or if you often dwell on bad memories, this stone, worn on a heart chakra jewel , is ideal.
Emerald and green aventurine can also help you open your heart chakra .
You can wear these stones on energy jewelry , or place them in your hand when meditating.
Meditation
To meditate, wear comfortable clothes, and sit or lie down in a position that does not strain your spine . Find a quiet place, where you will not be disturbed, and follow a guided meditation, which you can find on dedicated applications, or on YouTube.
Breathing
The fourth chakra is connected to the element air . Therefore, breathing is a great way to open the heart chakra . Nadhi sodhana is breathing through the nostrils that you can try. This is a very relaxed and balancing breathing, which has many positive effects on your entire nervous system .
Ready to rebalance your heart chakra ?
Some good habits
To rebalance your heart chakra, you must learn to better express your feelings and emotions, and to open up to others. Listen to warm music with instruments such as guitar, cello, violin. Nature sounds, such as birdsong or the sound of a river, can also be good for you.
On a daily basis, opt for activities that are really important to you, that you enjoy doing. Sports, walks in the forest…
Take back your dreams, don't give up, believe in yourself to move forward.