Lets talk about the heart chakra!

This chakra is my most favourite chakra, and everything comes back to this space within the body. The power in this centre is what I believe to be - 'limitless'.

'Hidden in the heart of every creature

Exists the Self, subtler than the subtlest,

Greater than the greatest. They go beyond

Sorrow who extinguish their self-will

And behold the glory of the Self

Through the grace of the Lord of Love'

-The Upanishads - p87

Anahata Chakra which is its beautiful Sanskrit name is located right between the breasts between the 4th and 5th thoracic vertebrae, and it means 'The Unstruck Sound'.

This centre has the purpose of gifting us with compassion, unconditional love and empathy.

When this centre is balanced and open we become empathic, truthful, receptive, responsible, generous, sensitive and compassionate. One of Patanjali's first Yamas is Ahimsa - non-violence offers us the teaching of the heart which allowing us a way towards opening and healing this beautiful space of limitless.

When this centre is blocked or unbalanced due to being hurt or suffering in some way it can cause much discomfort, this can result in certain actions towards yourself and others. This happens because we feel we are protecting ourselves knowingly or unknowingly. We can become uncaring, unfeeling, abuse of love, abuse of alcohol/drugs, unforgiving, hateful, needy, selfish, jealous and confused.

'The Self, pure awareness, shines as the light

within the heart, surrounded by the senses.

Only seeming to think, seeming to move, the

Self neither sleeps nor wakes nor dreams'

-The Upanishads - 43

Yoga offers us a space to explore the heart centre and many yoga asanas offer us a way to enter the space and open it, breaking down any armour we may have created around this area.

As we break through old pain and anything that is limiting us we open to the limitless. Many other things can be cultivated along with yoga asanas and using Ahimsa as a daily practice. Here are a few other things that could be used:

*Chanting the mantra 'Yam'

*Have awareness and compassion for yourself when you are feeling non-compassion.

*Have awareness and compassion for yourself when you are feeling judgemental.

*Write a list of 3 things you are grateful for every morning.

*Walk on the earth with bare feet.

*Live in presence (do more yoga, breathing and meditation).

*Give a gift and forget about it with no want to receiving back.

Finally, I would like to share with you a beautiful Yoga practice for the heart and shoulders (arms/shoulders/hands being an extension of the heart). I hope you enjoy and i look forward to your comments. Love from my heart to yours. Katya.

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