What follows is a basic overview of the Heart Chakra. The written summaries, exercise recommendations, and recommended Yoga asanas are based on my personal understanding of the chakras; my experience working with them for both personal healing and client work; and the widely accepted beliefs about the modern chakra system.

The essential oil, herbal, and crystal recommendations are suggestions only, and do not represent an exhaustive list. These recommendations were chosen because they represent a close energetic match to their particular chakras; always defer to your intuition when working energetically. Only work with herbs and essential oils if it is within your scope of practice, and if it is advised by your primary healthcare professional.

For a general introduction to the chakras, please read Chakras 101 and Chakra Therapy 101.

A Healthy Heart Chakra

A healthy Heart Chakra allows you to live fearlessly. When your Heart Chakra is balanced, you love freely, and you feel loved and supported by others. You have a healthy sense of empathy, and feel compassion for all beings. You accept yourself as you are, which allows you to accept others as they are. Your relationships are healthy, and free of jealousy and codependence. You are generous and trusting, and are therefore able to serve others without any ulterior motive. You understand that forgiveness – letting go – is the key to freedom, and you are gentle with yourself as you slowly forgive yourself and others.

Heart Chakra Correspondences

Colour: Green or Pink

Mantra: Yam

Element: Air

Planet: Venus

Physical Location: Center of the chest

Health: Respiratory and circulatory system, breast health. Also responsible for the health and mobility of the ribs, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers.

Essential Oils and Herbs: Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sweet Marjoram, Peppermint, Eucalyptus

Crystals: Pink and Green Stones, Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Green Jade, Moss Agate, Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite

Physical Exercise: Cardiovascular and endurance-building activity of any kind – running, walking, dancing, HIIT cardio, etc. Asanas and exercises that focus on building strength and flexibility in the chest, arms, upper back, and shoulders. E.g. push-ups, planks, backbends, bicep curls, etc.

Yoga Asanas: Cat/Cow, Cobra, Updog, Bow, Chest Expansion, Thread-the-Needle, Melting Heart, Camel

Inquiry Time…

When it comes to Chakra Therapy, I often see people focusing on what they are missing, or how they are “deficient” in a particular chakra. Let’s focus on the positive!

In what ways do you know that your Heart Chakra is balanced? Journal at least 5 things in your life – from circumstances to personal attributes – that are evidence of a healthy Heart Chakra.

P.S. Are you a Yoga/Fitness Instructor, Holistic Health Practitioner, Bodyworker or Wellness Enthusiast who’d like to learn how to work with the chakras – professionally? You may be interested in my Chakra Therapy Certification course!

This post was originally published on May 7, 2019.