A body of energy resides within our physical body and there are several vortexes of energy or centres of spiritual power that look like spinning wheels which are called ‘Chakras’.
When our energy is not in balance – either deficient or overpowering, it can manifest as physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual problems . To attain healing from an ailment, it is necessary to clear or unblock the stuck energy that is at the root cause of it. By working with our Chakras, we can clear away the stuck energy that does not serve our highest purpose.
The Anahata chakra rests in the center of the chakra system, balancing the world of matter (the lower three chakras) with the world of spirit (the upper three chakras). It is located at the heart so it is often also referred to as the heart chakra. A healthy heart chakra opens us up to a world of love and compassion and integrates our physical being with our spiritual self.
Symptoms of a dysfunctional heart chakra :
Physical : Heart disease, high blood pressure, immune disorders, respiratory illnesses, chest congestion, difficulty breathing, allergies, sleep disorders
Emotional : Feeling attacked, resentful, complaining, bitter, stifled, difficulties in giving or receiving, fearful, sadness, grief, hopelessness, despair
Balancing the chakra:
Pranayama
Air is the element of the heart chakra so doing pranayama helps to bring balance to this chakra. Try the Bhastrika or Bellows Breath which consists primarily of forced rapid deep breaths. Positive effects range from increased ventilation, increased blood circulation, increased clearing of nasal passages and calming of mental disturbances.
Asana
Some signs that the heart chakra is overpowering your life can include co-dependency, possessiveness, jealousy, heart disease, and high blood pressure. For these symptoms, forward bends are the best antidote, because they are grounding and foster introspection.
Those with deficient heart chakras need to open to receive love more fully so any asana that opens the chest and stimulates the heart is good to do. eg. Cobra, Upward facing dog, Gomukhasana or backbends. In many backbending poses, the heart is positioned higher than the head. It is a very liberating posture – to enable the heart to lead, instead of the head.
Disclaimer : Never begin an exercise routine without consulting your physician.
By KSH
Jan-May, 200Hrs Weekend TTC
