Signs Your Heart Chakra Could be Blocked
The heart chakra, known in Sanskrit as Anāhata, translates to “the unstruck sound.” It is the energetic centre of love, compassion, empathy, and connection.
With others as well as ourselves. When balanced, we are able to give and receive love freely, have healthy boundaries, and be open and happy. When imbalanced, we live from fear, we may feel guarded, lonely, or become too attached, or overwhelmed.
Location & Symbolism of the Heart Chakra
Location: Centre of the chest, around the cardiac plexus
Element: Air
Colour: Green
Organs & Body Systems: Heart, lungs, thymus gland, circulatory system, arms, and hands
The element of air reminds us that love must flow, freely circulating like the breath.
Signs of a Balanced Heart Chakra
You have an open posture
A sense of inner peace
Feel compassion
Healthy boundaries in relationships
The ability to forgive
Emotional balance and resilience
Feeling connected to yourself and those around you
Signs Your Heart Chakra could be Blocked
The heart chakra can become underactive (deficient) or overactive (excessive)
Deficient - Blocked
Withdrawal, difficulty trusting
Feeling unworthy of love
Being self-critical
Poor posture and shallow breathing
Fear of intimacy
Excessive - Overactive
Over-giving in relationships
Blurred boundaries
Emotional dependency or jealousy
Getting lost in caring for others
Crystals for the Heart Chakra
The three main crystals most often associated with the Heart Chakra are:
✿ Rose Quartz – unconditional love, compassion, self-healing.
✿ Green Aventurine – emotional balance, calm, and renewal.
✿ Malachite – transformation, releasing past wounds, opening the heart.
Practices to Open and Balance the Heart Chakra
Yoga
Heart-opening poses: Camel pose (Ustrasana), Bridge (Setu Bandhasana), and Cobra (Bhujangasana) help open and release tension in the chest
Pranayama (Breathwork): Practice Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) or a gentle 4-6 breath cycle (inhale for 4, exhale for 6) to regulate the nervous system
Qi Gong Practices
Gentle chest-opening movements with the breath, such as “Opening the Heart” sequences, to move stagnant energy
Standing postures that root the feet and soften the chest create balance between grounding and openness.
Buddhist Perspective
Metta (Loving-Kindness Meditation): Silently repeat phrases such as “May I be happy, may I be safe, may I live with ease.” Extend the same wishes to others, even those you struggle with. This practice rewires the heart toward compassion and forgiveness
Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart houses the Shen — the spirit or consciousness. When the Shen is calm, the mind feels clear, and emotions are harmonious.
Practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and gentle acupressure over the chest or wrist (Pericardium meridian) can help restore balance.
Spinal Energetics
Spinal Energetics helps release stored tension and emotional blockages along the spine, allowing energy to flow more freely through the heart center. By softening the nervous system and creating space in the chest, it supports openness, compassion, and deeper connection with yourself and others.
Nervous System Practices
Place a hand on your heart and another on your belly, and slowly lengthen your exhale. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing safety and regulation.
Sit with it and allow natural expressions of release. Release can come through sighs, tears, trembling.
Journaling and Reflection for the Heart Chakra
✿ Where am I holding back love - for myself or others?
✿ What boundaries do I need to feel safe and open?
✿ Who do I need to forgive?
✿ Do I need to forgive myself?
✿ What makes me heart happy?
Affirmations for the Heart Chakra
✿ I am open to love, and I love myself deeply
✿ Compassion flows freely through me
✿ I am worthy of a love that puts me first
✿ I forgive myself and others
✿ My heart is a safe
The heart chakra is the bridge between the lower physical chakras and the higher spiritual ones. It teaches us that love is both grounding and transcendent. By tending to Anahata through breath, movement, awareness, and compassion, we nurture the deepest part of ourselves. Our hearts long to connect, heal and belong. We offer Spinal Energetics and Acupuncture to help open and balance the Heart Chakra. Book an appointment online.