ANAHATA (HEART CHAKRA)

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” Dalai Lama

The heart chakra’s true purpose is to help us experience the joy of loving and receiving love. Located at the centre of the chest, it balances the energies of our lower and upper chakras – we feel it as the breath that dances between body and spirit. Its’ Sanskrit name ‘Anahata’ translates to ‘unhurt’. An open heart is achieved by releasing any past relationship wounds or attachments, which may be still hurting. The key to ‘Anahata’ is to find love, forgiveness, and compassion, for both others and for ourselves.

This chakra is the center responsible for balancing the opposing energies of yin and yang. Through it we can consciously explore the alchemical marriage of the masculine and feminine or what Jung termed the ‘animus and anima’.

The element associated with the heart space is air. Connecting to the lightness of air through the breath can gently open the heart. This energy centre resonates to the frequency of the color green. Rose pink is also a color which is often associated with this energy centre. Green is balancing, cooling and has healing qualities. Green propels new growth, change and transformation. It represents hope and joy.

When this energy centre is deficient, we can experience a ‘hardening’ of the heart, an inability to feel love. With that we become critical and judgemental. In Chakradance, we open and expand through the chest, inviting a softening. This stirs the energy of love and compassion, dissolving the hurt buried in the heart. This energy can also be directed towards relationships in need of healing. As the heart awakens, we can begin to experience genuine and real connection with others, forming healthy and loving relationships.

There is a desperate and demanding need for love when the heart chakra is excessive in energy. Lacking in self-love and acceptance, an over-riding hunger for connection with others result in co-dependent relationships. The love for others becomes highly conditional, which manifests as jealousy, mistrust, and possessiveness. Through a slow and gentle dance, we breathe the energy of love deep. As the healing energies of love and compassion become embodied, any excessive energy can begin to release. With practice, this can open us up to the experience of unconditional love and acceptance for both others and ourselves.

When the Anahata is balanced and open, we can begin to move towards that wonderful state of being that the Buddhists describe as ‘loving kindness’. In this state one is non-judgemental of others and oneself, lives a life full of generosity and sees the inherent goodness in all.

Balancing your heart chakra:

Take a few moments every day to consciously tune into your breathing. Use your breath to slow down your thoughts and release any tightness in your chest. Use your breath to become more present in the moment. Wear the colour green or rose pink, or play with these colours in different ways in your life. Do some random acts of kindness and spread the heart energy

Anahata crystals: Rose quartz, emerald, jade.

These crystals may be placed on the location of the heart (centre of your chest) for clearing, revitalising and healing. You may even choose to carry one of these crystals with you throughout your day.

Anahata oils: Rosewood, rose, bergamot, chamomile, jasmine and ylang ylang, all are good for emotional balance. Eucalyptus, peppermint, sandalwood and rosemary are essential oils which can help balance the respiratory system. These oils can be used in massage treatments, burned in an oil burner or you may even add a few drops in to your bath.

Chakradance workshops related to Heart chakra :

Loving Healer (Heal Your Life, online workshop)

Dance of Love (Awakening, live session)

Heart Chakra – Open To Profound Love And Freedom (Freedom, live session)