If you are a meditation fanatic, then you may have heard of the chakra system. It is a common phrase among yogis and meditation instructors. They use the term especially when referring to energy levels. Despite its common use in such areas, most people into such practices don’t know the ins and outs of the way chakras work.
Chakras refer to energy networks that supply energy throughout your body. We all have a total of seven chakras (1). They are all located in different parts of the body. Similarly, they are tasked with different responsibilities.
Perhaps the most interesting chakra is the heart chakra. It deals with one crucial emotion, which is love. We all have spread love and been showered with love at various points in our lives.
Of course, no emotion can top the energy levels arising from love. It is to mean that love boosts our energy levels. Without it, you suffer from what is called an open heart chakra. It is also called a blocked heart chakra. It influences both your energy level and overall health and emotional well-being.
Exploring The Chakra System
The chakra system is similar to other body systems like the nervous system. It comprises a complex network of energy channels. These channels are responsible for balancing and maintaining energy levels.
The seven chakras in our bodies include:
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The Root Chakra
It is situated in the tailbone. Its task is to regulate the survival, instincts, and security senses (8). It is correlated with the color red.
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The Sacral Chakra
The Sacral chakra is tasked in regulating sexuality, creativity, emotional well-being, and confidence. It is located in the pelvis and linked with the color orange.
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The Solar Plexus Chakra
It is situated in the diaphragm and held responsible for the adrenal glands and digestive system. It is associated with the color yellow.
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The Heart Chakra
The fourth chakra, which is our main focus in this piece is the Heart chakra. As the name suggests, it is located in the heart. It acts as the center of love, compassion, and safety. It is linked to the color green. We will explore it in detail in the following segment.
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The Throat Chakra
As the name suggests, this one is situated in the throat area. It is represented by the color blue. Its task is to regulate the leadership, communication, and expression senses.
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The Third-Eye Chakra
Again, its name may hint on where this chakra is situated. Your Third-Eye chakra is located between your eyebrows. It is tasked with regulating your intuition, dreams, and thoughts (8). This chakra is associated with the color indigo.
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The Crown Chakra
Lastly, we have the Crown chakra. As the name suggests, it is located on the crown of the head. It acts as the center of consciousness, imagination, and spirituality. It is represented by the color violet.
Read More: Chakra Colors And Meanings: A Handy Guide On The Ins And Outs Of Your Body’s Energy Centers
Definition Of The Heart Chakra
From first glance, you might notice or even tell that the term chakra sounds rather ancient. Well, there is some truth to this. Although the term itself is not ancient, it is used to refer to certain ancient Hindu and Buddhist meditation practices.
According to these two traditions, chakras are the focal points of both physical and spiritual energies in your body. The chakra at the center of it all is the Heart chakra. We earlier mentioned it as the fourth chakra.
It is located in your chest, around the heart. As mentioned earlier, this chakra is responsible for some of the greatest feelings. They entail love (both self and for others), compassion, safety, and connection.
The Hindu and Buddhist meditation traditions also refer to the Heart chakra as the Anahata chakra (5). In Sanskrit, the term means unhurt.
Understanding The Work Of The Heart Chakra
Understanding the inner workings of the heart chakra is vital. Such comprehension can make you learn how unconditional love influences your energy levels. As a result, you will concentrate on love and compassion for emotional development.
However, without such understanding, you are likely to ignore love and its influence on your consciousness. So, you will start portraying pessimistic behaviors that give rise to other fatal emotions. These include feelings of spite, mistrust, hatred, and/or unsettlement.
If these emotions are not properly managed, they might affect your overall health. They may make you stressed, worried, or depressed. Stress, worry and depression deplete you of the love feelings responsible for making you happy. Consequently, you suffer from a blocked heart chakra.
What Causes Blocked Heart Chakra?
Most people do not know the chakra concept. So, it is nothing surprising to know they also do not know what causes blocked heart chakra. There are various things that can block your heart chakra.
You may identify them by recognizing the determinants of your unbalanced or poor energy levels. It means that you have to dig deep and reflect on the factors affecting your energy levels. In most cases, the predominance of negativity and hate in your life is what blocks this chakra (10).
The effects of the heart chakra blockage are massive. Besides having low energy, you will suffer emotionally. Emotional problems can take a toll on your mental health. They may even contribute to increased stress levels.
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When The Heart Chakra Is Blocked What Are The Symptoms?
There are various symptoms you can experience that may indicate a blocked or imbalanced chakra. Usually, these symptoms will make you gloomy.They will also make you feel rejected, shy, hopeless, and disconnected (8).
Rejection, hopelessness, and disconnection feelings can make you distance yourself from other people. As you distance yourself, you start to weaken the bond of your relationships. Eventually, you might end up losing some relationship ties.
If you notice any of these symptoms, conduct an in-depth analysis on your heart chakra. Sometimes, these symptoms might be a result of another condition. So, it is crucial to always double check and validate their cause.
How To Know If Your Heart Chakra Is Blocked?
Some people are quite observant when it comes to their body and energy levels. Such people can, therefore, easily recognize the slightest energy level changes. However, if you are not keen on your energy levels, it can be quite a struggle.
If you feel a shift in your energy levels, visit your doctor. Despite it not being anything serious, such a consultation can help you learn more about yourself. So, do not ignore even the slightest change in your energy levels.
There is no need of panicking if you crosscheck and determine that you exhibit all the blocked heart chakra symptoms. Relax and evaluate your heart chakra. Analysing your energy flows will help in determining the intensity of your heart chakra blockage (8).
Ideally, it can also help in determining the root cause of the issue.it could be lack of love or piled up negativity. Nonetheless, it does not mean that you only evaluate your energy levels when you exhibit symptoms of a blocked heart chakra. Whether or not you show these signs, it is always advisable to reflect once in a while.
The Blocked Heart Chakra Effects On Other Chakras
Remember that the chakra system is a network of energy channels. Therefore, each channel or chakra has a profound effect on the other.
When there is no love in your life, hatred starts bubbling up inside you. Sooner or later, you will start displaying hatred through your actions and words. Again, this hatred will cause other negative emotions such as fear.
Fear may bring you forth anxiety about food, ultimately leading to eating disorders. The moment this motion touches on eating disorders, it affects the Solar Plexus chakra. Fear then springs other negative emotions like envy and jealousy.
When these two negative feelings creep in, they mess up your creativity, emotional stability and self-confidence. All these elements are regulated by the Sacral chakra. These emotions will then give rise to increased negativity.
Negativity affects the Root chakra. It makes you fall out of touch with your intuition and inner senses. This is known as the downward flow of the Kundalini energy, also known as Adhogati (10).
How To Open A Blocked Heart Chakra?
There are plenty of questions about what you need to do if ‘my heart chakra is blocked.’ There are various techniques for opening a blocked heart chakra that you can choose from. However, before implementing any of them, it is crucial to consult with a doctor.
Some of these approaches touch on dieting and exercising. These are two significant factors with profound effects on your health. So, get advice on a suitable intervention that does not damage your health.
With that said, here are some of the ways you can open your blocked heart chakra:
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Practice Positive Thinking
It may sound cliché but positive thinking has a substantial impact on attaining positive health changes (4). The way you speak to yourself has a huge influence on your self-image and self-love.
For example, if you treat and carry yourself in a loving, gentle and encouraging manner, you more likely have a balanced heart chakra. The unconditional love you present helps in boosting your emotional being as well as your energy levels.
Positive thinking also entails what you believe in. If you do not think you are worth loving, then you will not prioritize love. So, there are higher chances you will deprive others and be deprived of love and compassion.
Start believing and focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations. Be kind to yourself and always remember to respond with positivity to everybody and everything.
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Practice Yoga
Yoga is a popular form of exercise in today’s society. Unlike weightlifting or cardio, yoga tends to be quite relaxing and appeasing. It makes it a great method of boosting your energy levels. Research has also shown that prioritizing some zen time can be useful in managing depression (11).
On top of opening your blocked heart chakra, it can also reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Since yoga comprises various stretching poses, it has been linked with the reduction of lower back pain. Back pain is quite common today and for various reasons. It could result from conditions like arthritis, poor sitting postures, or doing exercises in the wrong form.
Read More: Kundalini Yoga Meditation: A Powerful Blend Of Spiritual And Physical Practices
How To Do Yoga?
You can fall into the trap of doing the right poses but not keeping the right form. Consequently, you could injure yourself or get sprains and strains. So, before starting yoga, ensure you consider the following:
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The Doctor’s Advice
First and foremost, you absolutely have to get a go-ahead from your physician. Although it may sound irrelevant, such a consultation can spare you injuries and further health conditions (11). So, even if a pose looks harmless, never try it without your doctor’s okay.
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The Appropriate Yoga Style
The other thing you need to do before starting yoga is determine what style of yoga would work best for you. There are various yoga styles. All of these styles differ in terms of their intensity and relaxation capabilities.
Some common examples of yoga styles include Hatha, restorative yoga, Bikram, Iyengar, and Vinyasa. So, do not just take up any yoga style. Your intention might be relaxation but end up taking a yoga style that prioritizes flexibility.
So, jot down your goals and then consult with your yogi. They will help you determine the best style that is appropriate for your needs.
After considering these two aspects before starting yoga, then make sure you take note of these:
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Your Yoga Class Level
If you have never tried yoga before, then it is advisable to start with the beginner’s class. In this class, you are not expected to be perfect. Similarly, you are not expected to nail all your poses.
Instead, you are required to be open minded and ready to be taught. You will be taught various things including breathing, poses, meditation, and so forth. With time, you will then graduate to the next class. So, be patient with yourself.
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Your Yoga Instructor’s Word
If you decide to start a yoga session with your instructor, then fully trust them. Trust in this case means being confident in their techniques. Do not search for extra tips from other sources like online yoga videos. They might lead to a conflict of interests and injuries over time.
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Your Essential Herbs
The other technique is taking herbs like hawthorn berry, jasmine, lavender, orange, rose and rooibos (6). They are some of the best-recommended herbs if you are looking to open your heart chakra.
You can drink any of these herbs in the form of tea. It helps in balancing your energy levels and opening the heart chakra. However, you must consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
The consultation will determine what herb is best for you. It will also help in determining how many times a day/week you are required to drink such tea.
Some additional tips would include:
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Go Outside
The air element has a huge influence on the heart chakra. So, spending some time outside can make a huge difference in boosting your energy levels. Search for a less polluted area with few crowds and enjoy a stroll.
You can always ask a friend to accompany you if you hate taking walks alone. Likewise, you can ask them to join you if you are walking to new destinations. A breath of fresh, clean and warm air might be all you need to unclog your blocked heart chakra.
Besides that, it might help in enhancing your memory and mood (2). So go and spend some quality time outside and enjoy the sunshine together with nature’s gifts.
With stress being a constant presence in our lives, taking time to process emotions, decompress and get into the right frame of mind is absolutely crucial. With BetterMe: Meditation & Sleep app your mental health is in good hands! Start using it now!
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Try Reiki
Reiki practitioners believe that this form of therapy can boost energy levels, thereby opening a blocked heart chakra. However, there is some twist to using Reiki as a therapy in this case.
First and foremost, this therapy form cannot be taught. Unlike yoga where a yogi can teach you a few moves, this form of therapy is transferred. Reiki practitioners believe that they can transfer healing energy through an individual’s body to boost their energy levels.
Boosting the energy levels will then automatically open the blocked heart chakra. Even more interesting is the fact that Reiki gurus state they can transfer positive energy without even touching your body. They argue that touch is inessential for them to boost energy levels and restore mind vitality (9).
The Bottom Line
It is quite easy to unblock and activate a blocked heart chakra and restore love in one’s life. It entails adopting simple techniques such as brewing herbal teas, doing yoga, getting fresh air, and trying Reiki. All these techniques can help boost your love and compassion towards others.
DISCLAIMER:
All the views in this article are not a representation of a doctor’s advice. Therefore, ensure you consult with your doctor for more details.
SOURCES:
- 5 Ways to Open Your Heart Chakra (2019, goodnet.org)
- 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy in 10 Minutes or Less (2020, webmd.com)
- 7 simple steps to boosting energy (2020, mayoclinic.org)
- Accentuate the positive to make lasting health (2020, mayoclinic.org)
- Chakra Healing: How To Open Your Heart Chakra (2019, goodnet.org)
- Cleansing Herbs for Each Chakra (2020, goodnet.org)
- Heart Meridian (2020, sciencedirect.com)
- How chakras affect your mental health (2020, anxiety.org)
- Reiki (2020, theguardian.com)
- The 7 Chakras for Beginners: Free Your Energy In Body and Mind Now (2020, artofliving.org)
- What are the health benefits of yoga? (2019, medicalnewstoday.com)
