The Fourth Chakra

The fourth chakra is the heart center, the center of love. Not just romantic love but all love, particularly eternal love. The love we are striving to feel for all in the universe; the love that connects us to all other life. Anahata means unstruck or unhurt, a wish and a promise for our heart center. To open the heart to unconditional love for all is one of the primary aims of a yoga and meditation practice. To treat all others and things with respect and to strive to do no harm. To open yourself in this way takes work and when you succeed you become one with the divine.

The fourth chakra is located at the center of the sternum, the boney plate the upper ribs are attached to. The systems and organs governed by the fourth chakra are the heart along with the entire cardiovascular system, lungs, the skin, thymus gland, arms, hands and fingers. Working towards opening your heart will develop your compassion, ability to act out of kindness, ability to forgive, self-expression and spiritual awakening. It is the center from which are empathy arises.

As we grow up we develop a persona which is governed by the heart center as we learn which of our behaviors result in approval and which in disapproval. During this process we may learn to hide our genuine self. This is the self that that holds our vulnerability, insecurities, anger and fear. It also holds our energy, strength and innocence. To become wholly your authentic self is to be cognizant of both your shadow and your light.

Anahata represents your right to be loved. The ability to feel the right to be loved is dependent on your own self-love. Before we can accept being loved by others, we have to be able to love ourselves. The root of so many relationship problems lies in the secret belief that we don’t deserve to be loved which has its roots in shame that we may have learned as children.

An unbalanced, closed heart chakra manifests in respiratory disorders, immune problems, fear of rejection, loneliness, grief, co-dependency, inability to forgive and heart problems.

To balance your heart chakra deepen your connection to your body as a whole. Love your body, it doesn’t need to be perfect, you don’t wait to make improvements to live in your body. To love your body is to care for it with healthy foods, exercise, relaxation, rest and pleasure. These are all human requirements in order to thrive, live and love as we are meant to do. You have the right to love yourself.

Walk with your heart leading, shoulders back and head aligned with your spine. Adopt the mantra “I will relate to everyone with love and compassion forgoing judgement and ego”

On the last Tuesday of March there will be a free gong meditation and deep relaxation. The meditation will be preceded by a short yoga practice to stimulate Anahata. Register at Ravi Yoga and Wellness