Practice with Rachel (Sat Siri) on Wanderlust TV: Her new series Root to Rise: Journey Through the Chakras also includes a companion series of free 10-minute introspection and journaling lessons. The 7-part Kundalini Yoga series and samples of thousands of yoga, meditation and movement classes on WLTV are available to you with a free 14-day trial of WLTV. providing access to a huge library that includes dozens of Kundalini classes by Rachel Dougherty.

The heart chakra is such a personal, important and tender area for us humans. In Sanskrit, the heart chakra is called Anahata Chakra, which translates as unscathed, unscathed, or unbeaten.

As the fourth chakra, the heart chakra or Anahata is at the center of the seven chakras. It plays an important role in the chakra system, connecting the lower and upper chakras. Through this vital role, a balanced heart chakra can support a person’s harmony and facilitate their divine experience. It is in our hearts that we can accept ourselves whole, and we all strive for this!

Balanced Heart Chakra (Anahata)

This chakra can become dysfunctional due to past pain, grief, intense disappointment, fear of rejection, or an imbalance in giving and receiving. When this happens, it can lead to immune system problems, lung, cardiovascular or chest problems, upper back and shoulder pain, jealousy, abandonment issues, loss of well-being, and giving without discernment.

This chakra suffers a lot when we have a broken heart. Pain in this area can manifest itself very strongly due to the emotions we feel.

I remember many years ago when one of my best friends died suddenly. I was in complete shock and sadness. I returned to Australia for her funeral. After sleeping on the plane for a while, I woke up and felt a very strong pain in the center of my chest. I wondered if I was having a heart attack as I had never felt anything like this before. I drank water, took a deep breath. I thought, “Wow, this is literally a heartbreaking experience.” It hurt and really hurt for about 2 weeks and then it got a little less bad but stayed with me for over a month. My soul sister died and my heart ached as I tried to accept the loss and recover, I remember how the pain was unbearable for a few days.
Then, to my surprise, I woke up and the pain was gone. It has passed.

The heart center is amazing: it goes through the worst betrayal, pain, loss, and despair, and it heals completely, over and over and over.

When the heart chakra is blocked, people have difficulty communicating and being aware of their emotions, which hinders the ability to experience self-compassion, compassion, or forgiveness. These conditions further prevent people from having unconditional love for the people in their lives, making true loving relationships rare.

Tools for the heart

Yoga practice: Focus especially on the hearts. My favorite pose is the camel pose because you lean back and let your heart shine into the heavens. When I am in this pose, I imagine golden light energy raining down on my heart—as a symbol of the abundance of love I can receive. Bridge pose is also another favorite and effective pose for the heart.

Eat for your heart: Food can nourish the chakras, and dark leafy greens like Swiss chard, dandelion greens, kale and mustard greens nourish the heart. Green apples and avocados are also great for the heart.

Practice meditation for a peaceful heart: Try meditation in this Anahata Kundalini class (use WLTV’s free 14-day trial to get all 7 days A journey through the chakras attempt). Just 3-5 minutes a day have a direct calming effect on the heart, physically, energetically and emotionally. For many students, this meditation has helped to soothe broken hearts caused by the end of a relationship or the grief of losing a loved one.

Create a personal affirmation for your heart chakra. This is a positive affirmation of what you desire for your heart chakra. Maybe it’s like, “I believe I’ll open my heart when I’m safe. I am always under protection.” Or it could be, “I now give and receive love easily.” Choose what you like best and try to repeat this mantra several times a day or read it often.

Nurture your heart: Try an uplifting song, music and the company of good friends. Feed your heart chakra with love so it can feed you.

Don’t forget you can also practice with me on Wanderlust TV balancing the heart chakra in my anahata class and then continue your practice with this 10 minute journaling exercise:

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Rachel Dougherty (Sat Siri) is a pioneering new generation Kundalini yoga teacher and trainer. She travels the world teaching Kundalini Yoga in places like Bali, Maui, Mexico and India. She has been practicing yoga and meditation for over twenty years and teaching Kundalini Yoga for fourteen. She practiced Iyengar yoga, Vipassana meditation and many other methods before finding Kundalini yoga. A former ballet dancer with the Australian Ballet, Rachel found ballet meditation in movement, a creative expression that renewed her perspective with every step, turn or leap.

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