Your Heart Chakra

The heart chakra, or fourth chakra, is also called Anahata or padma-sundara. This point is located in the center of your chest, over the sternum. The traditional Vedic symbol for Anahata can be seen to the right.

Associated Color: Green

Associated Element: Air

Associated Spinal Region: 4th thoratic vertebra

The heart chakra relates to circulation, love, passion, and devotion. This center is said to be the gateway to higher thinking and being because it connects the lower chakras to the higher chakras.

An imbalance here can manifest as a physical heart or circulation issue, or as loathing and extreme judgmental behavior.

Here are two easy ways to enhance and balance the heart chakra:

Explore Your Sense Of Touch - Begin to appreciate your tactile awareness in a new way. This can mean being extra mindful when stroking your pet or holding your mate, or it can involve active experimentation throughout the day as you become more aware of your sense of touch.

Notice especially how you are able to actually "feel" things before you come into physical contact with them. Forming this sort of initial awareness will prepare you for in-depth study of new chakra treatments.

Experiencing Beauty More Fully - You might be amazed by the raw healing power that can be found in the observation of true beauty. The best example of this can be found through appreciating nature.

Find the time to sit outdoors, under a tree or in a garden, and meditate on the natural sights and sounds. Channel any physical bliss this creates into the center of your chest and visualize your heart chakra growing warm and bright.

Color Breathing Exercise For This Chakra

One of the most basic - yet powerful - techniques for opening, balancing, healing, or empowering a chakra is the practice of color breathing. Each chakra relates to its own specific color, making it very easy to apply this breath/visualization exercise in an effective manner.

Before beginning, it is recommended that you use basic meditation to relax your body and focus your mind. Once you have achieved a state of calm, centered being, proceed with the exercise below:

Remember to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.

1. Create an awareness of your heart chakra, in the center of your sternum.
2. Imagine this point as a bright green, glowing point of light.
3. Breath in deeply, and visualize the air passing into and through this chakra.
4. See your body fill with bright green energy as you hold the breath for 3 seconds.
5. Exhale slowly for about ten seconds and feel the green energy circulate.
6. Be aware of your natural sense of joy as you perform this exercise.

You can find more information about chakra and energy treatments on our recommended studies page.