The human body is a complex structure that comprises layers of physical, astral, and spiritual bodies. The astral or energy body is an intricate system governed by rotating energy centres known as Chakras. In last week's post, we acknowledged the strength, vitality and intellectual powers of the Solar Plexus Chakra. This week let’s learn about the deep love and affection emanating from the Anahata, a.k.a the fourth point of energy and how to keep it balanced. 

Also Read: Root Chakra: Know About First Chakra And Yoga Poses To Awaken Muladhara

 What Is The Heart Chakra?

The Heart chakra is the fourth point among the seven points of energy. It is mainly located in the centre of the chest right behind the sternum (close to the physical heart). The Sanskrit term for Heart Chakra is Anahata, which chiefly means ‘unhurt’, ‘infinite’, or ‘boundless’. The Heart Chakra forms an astral bridge of connection that unites the upper triangle (throat, third eye and crown chakras) and the lower triangle (the root, sacral and solar plexus chakras). It extensively balances the material and spiritual worlds and triggers our emotional and physical well-being. It is believed pure love opens the fourth chakra, allowing one to receive and give love unconditionally. 

 The Element That Heart Chakra Governs:

The Heart chakra is mainly guided by the Air element or Vayu Dhatu inside of a person. The fourth chakra is all about open space, feeling infinite, enormous, and boundless just like the sky. Anahata represents the door to our soul, the infinite part of ourselves.

 The Physical Body Connected To Heart Chakra

Anahata chakra relates to the heart, lungs, thymus gland, arms and hands.

 The Emotional Body Connected To Heart Chakra:

 The heart chakra is all about love, kindness and compassion for yourself and others. It signifies the feeling of being able to love yourself and others unconditionally and being able to give and receive affection with equal ease. It inculcates having a sense of ‘we’ instead of only ‘I’ and cultivating a deeper sense of self-awareness and building meaningful trusting relationships with others.

 The Mental Body Connected To Heart Chakra:

The Heart chakra is a significant component of our overall well-being, as it helps us to balance our emotions. It inculcates feelings of giving and sharing with others, without expecting anything in return. It opens the door to the inner self where one feels blessed that they have abundant and can nurture oneself, accept things as they are and live in balance, within oneself and with the world around them.

Also Read: Sacral Chakra: Know About The Second Chakra And Yoga Poses To Awaken Svadhisthana

 The Symbol That Heart Chakra Represents:

 Anahata is symbolised by a six-pointed star surrounded by a 12 petaled lotus that represents the 12 sounds that emanate from the rotation of the chakra. It exudes the Green colour, that comes from the reflection of a combination of the sky from above and fire from below.

 The Mantra That Activates Heart Chakra:

The fourth chakra can be opened by smelling a eucalyptus aroma and by chanting the Bij mantra ‘Yam’.

 The Mudra That Awakens Heart Chakra:

The Heart Chakra can be activated if you perform the Padma Mudra (Lotus Mudra).

For doing this mudra, sit up tall in Sukhasana. Bring both your arms to the height of your heart. Now lightly touch the fingertips and bases of both hands together, while leaving space in between the palms such that your fingers look like an open lotus flower. Now close your eyes and meditate.

Also Read: Also Read: Kundalini Yoga: Know How To Awaken The Chakras Of The Body

 What Happens If The Heart Chakra Is Out Of Balance?

 An imbalance or blockage of the heart chakra can often cause cardiac issues like heart palpitation, poor blood circulation, heart pain, angina, and other physical conditions related to shallow breathing, asthma, thoracic spine, upper back and shoulder problems, and lung diseases. The imbalance usually manifests in the form of intense fear of rejection, trust issues in a committed relationship, facing problems while bestowing and receiving affection, over-dependence on the partner, behaving distantly with near and dear ones and appearing tough and unemotional while being vulnerable from the inside.

So, without waiting further, if you want to steer clear of the side effects of an overactive or underactive fourth chakra, we bring you 5 therapeutic postures that help you open and balance the Anahata chakra naturally.

 5 Best Yoga Poses To Activate Heart Chakra

 Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

Kneel on the floor or yoga mat, with your soles facing up and your legs touching the ground. While holding your hips with your hands, ensure that the knees and shoulders are aligned in a perpendicular line. Breathe in, and bend backwards, while gripping your feet with your hands for balance. Be in this posture for one minute or as long as you can, then slowly come up into the seated posture, relaxing the legs and hands as well.

 Salamba Bhujangasana (Sphinx Pose)

Lie down on your belly on the ground. Bring your elbows directly beneath your shoulders. Let the tops of the shoulders relax away from the ears, while you feel a subtle lift in the front of your chest. Breathe in and out normally and stay in the pose for 20 seconds. Now, come out of the stance by bringing your elbows to the sides, putting your palms on top of one another and resting your forehead on them.

 Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

 Lie on the yoga mat on your stomach. Place your hands on either side of the shoulders. Slowly, push into your palms and heave up your body from the torso while keeping the hips grounded. Feel a good stretch in your back and belly muscles. Straighten out your arms and keep pressure against your back. Look above at the ceiling and hold this posture for about 15-30 seconds or as long as you can and exhale as you return to the initial posture.

 Anjaneyasana (Lunge Pose)

Begin the posture in the Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog), and place your left foot forward between your hands, aligning the left knee right over the heel. Then, gradually lower your right knee to the floor and, keeping the left knee fixed in place, slide the right knee back until you feel a good stretch in the hip flexor of the right front thigh.

Straighten out your hands upwards. Inhale and move back lifting your hips and ribs. Be in this posture for 20 seconds or as long as you can and return to a standing posture. Repeat this asana in a set of 5 with either leg.

 Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

Start the posture by lying down on your back. Keep your feet hip-width apart on the floor. Curve your hands above your shoulders and place them on the mat and hold both feet with your hands. Be in this position for as long as possible and keep breathing in and out normally. Return to the initial Shavasana position and repeat the pose 5-6 times with a minute break in between.