Demystifying Yoga: The Heart Chakra

What are chakras?

Chakras are subtle energy centers located along the spine that affect our emotional and physical health, as well as our behavior, through their connection with the body’s endocrine glands and lymphatic system.

From a psychological standpoint, the chakra system is similar to Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs.” It needs to be balanced from the base up in order to achieve alignment. The base of the spine (“Root Chakra”) is where physical needs and survival sit and the crown of the head (“Crown Chakra”) is where spirituality and enlightenment lie. Right in the middle of this chakra highway is the Heart Chakra. This chakra is special because it’s the transition point. Below the Heart Chakra are your physical needs. The heart chakra is where your higher levels of functioning start to come into play.

Heart Chakra Basics

The basic right of the Heart Chakra is to love and be loved. The issues that we encounter in the Heart Chakra deal with balance, love, and relationships. This chakra governs love, balance, self-love, relationships, intimacy, devotion, attitude toward giving and receiving, empathy, and compassion. When the Heart Chakra is out of balance, it can either be deficient or over-active. Each present themselves in different ways, but both are an unhealthy state.

Blocked Heart Chakra

Deficiency within this chakra can present itself in many ways: antisocial, withdrawn, cold, critical, judgmental, intolerant of self or others, loneliness, isolation, depression, fear of intimacy, fear of relationships, lack of empathy, or narcissism. Individuals with these issues are in need of awakening their Heart Chakras and releasing any blockages. Along with self-reflection, a desire to change, and a call to action from these individuals, yoga can assist in rebalancing this chakra. 

Poses to Awaken Your Heart Chakra: Bridge, Wheel, Camel, Dancer, Cobra, Locust, Sphinx

Overactive Heart Chakra

Excess within this chakra can present itself as: codependency, poor boundaries, demanding, clinging, jealousy, and overly sacrificing. Individuals displaying these characteristics tend to continually give to others and overextend themselves with little regard for their own well-being. Yoga poses that help bring the Heart Chakra into balance for these individuals are those that close off the front line of the body and open the space between the shoulder blades.

Poses to Soothe Your Heart Chakra: Thread the Needle Pose, Janu Sirsasana, Forward Fold

A balanced fourth chakra is what we are looking to achieve, being open to love but remembering that in order to love and care for others, we must love and care for ourselves first. Qualities of individuals with a balanced Heart Chakra: compassionate, loving, empathetic, self-loving, altruistic, peaceful, balanced, and a good immune system.

It's the perfect time to start to become mindful of your Heart Chakra. Bring attention to expansion of your chest in yoga poses and explore the make-up of your personal heart center. No matter what your yogic path, finding a little more space to love yourself and others is a wonderful thing in life.