Heart chakra is the fourth primary chakra, located in the center of the human body. It is also the center of child-like innocence and joy, a quality that views the world and all the circumstances with understanding and empathy. When it is open and its energy flowing freely, you are loving to others and also loving to yourself. You know when to say no and when to care and self-nurture. People feel at peace, calm, serenity around you, as there is no judgment coming from you.
Therapeutic activities such as journaling, yoga, and meditation helps one to stay connected and spot any blockage. And just like all other chakras, it is an ongoing process to keep it clear. Things like stress and emotional pain — usually caused by bad memories, old programming, emotions, and/or overthinking — can block your heart chakra, and make it difficult for you to form and hold onto healthy relationships.
Poor posture is often related to a closed heart. If we are afraid, lack self-confidence and self-esteem, or suffer from any of the other manifestations of a closed heart chakra, we try to protect ourselves by physically slouching in at the heart center and solar plexus. Much of our deep emotions are stored between the navel center and the breasts. Fear, anger and sadness are the lions that guard the gate to the heart, and we must befriend them to open our hearts.
The heart chakra can also affects the heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands. When misaligned, poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other heart and lung conditions can result. Co-dependence, manipulative behaviors, feeling of unworthiness, and an inability to trust yourself or others are also probable sign when heart chakra is closed.
Here are three yoga poses that are good for the heart chakra:
1. Camel Pose
Kneel down and tucked in the sacrum on the yoga mat and place your hands on the lower back, the elbows bent and fingers facing downwards. Exhaling, bend the shoulders backwards, chest open and hips slightly forward and gaze backwards and stay for a few breaths in the pose. If you feel to comfortable elongating the spine more, you can push the hips forward and the the shoulder blades back while you bend backwards. Slightly tilting towards the right, place the right hand on right heel, lean slightly towards the left and place the left hand on the left heel. Hold for 5-7 deep breath and slowly contract the abdomen to lift the chest forward, bring the hands on the lower back, and return to initial position.
2. Fish Pose
Begin by lying on your back with your legs extended and your arms resting alongside your body, palms down. Press your forearms and elbows into the floor and lift your chest to create an arch in your upper back. Lift your shoulderblades and upper torso off the floor. Tilt your head back and bring the crown of your head to the floor. Keep pressing through your hands and forearms. There should be very little weight pressing through your head. Keep your thighs active and energized. Press outward through your heels. Hold for five breaths. To release the pose, press firmly through your forearms to slightly lift your head off the floor. Then exhale as you lower your torso and head to the floor.
3. Cat Cow Pose
Begin on your hands and knees in table pose, with a neutral spine. As you inhale and move into cow pose, lift your sit bones upward, press your chest forward and allow your belly to sink. Lift your head, relax your shoulders away from your ears, and gaze straight ahead. As you exhale, come into cat pose while rounding your spine outward, tucking in your tailbone, and drawing your pubic bone forward. Release your head toward the floor — just don’t force your chin to your chest. Most importantly, just relax.