Heart Shakra

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I have paid special attention to my chakras lately, mostly observing and learning about them. On a scale of 1 - 4, here is where I rate how each of my chakras ’ energy usage’ now:

Root - 3
Spleen - 3
Solar Plexus - 3
Heart - 1.5
Throat - 2.5
Brow - 2.5
Crown - 4

I am surprised to learn that my heart chakra is my weakest source of energy, particulary given my ability to love a thing, but on closer study I find that I have always been a very conflicted person, and it is my unwillingness to accept myself as I am and inability to exercise self-control at times that is the source of the energy drain. As for health, my cardio-vascular system is in good shape, but my respiratory system is susceptible to infection, unless I am vigilant in seeing after my immune system.

So, I’ve begun some meditative exercises where I place my palms on the chakras, beginning at the root and working my way up, and visualize that spot and colour breathing deeply. At my heart I visualize opening the chakra and bright green beams of light shining out of me. I stay here for a longer time.

Are there any other ideas where I can open and strengthen my heart chakra?

#2

One little thing, hope it is useful…you know that feeling that you directly get in the heart when you are watching something tragic unfold before your eyes? Its a call from the heart that I had rarely experienced … It happened to me when I watched a drunk clutching on to shop windows in heavy rain, trying to get to shelter, he then fell to the ground. unable to get up…I suddenly felt this call from the heart and ran over and helped him up and into shelter. Well I think after later reflection and knowledge now, that it stimulates the heart Chakra. After that I forced myself to look at tragedies on T.V. and in films and sometimes around me, with a heart instead of a mind. If you get me. I noted that it isn’t a pain its a wonderful warm feeling that connects to the ‘higher mind’

I dont know a lot of Yoga techniques… but i do like to use practical ones, sort of everyday things if I can. The breast stroke, swimming is something Ive been told is helpful but I haven’t tried it yet for that purpose

Cruciferous vegetables like Broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower,watercress and horseradish
are things I try to eat a lot of.

I focus on Ajna and heart chakra together in everyday life…I’ve neglected the root it seems. So I’m working on that now.

xxx

#3

Well, that’s a weird post.

#4

I think showing kindness to people who annoy you/your enemies will stir and awake those “heart chakra” energies more than any visualizations.

In terms of techniques I found efficient questioning yourself “What good could I do to this person?” in context of all people/groups around you (including yourself). Somehow it changes perspective from egoistic (where I look at people through perspective of my emotions, expectations and habits) to perspective of love where the “meaning of life” is bringing happiness and growth to others (and I think thats the healthy state of “heart chakra”).

#5

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;41725]Well, that’s a weird post.[/QUOTE]

Kareg, I didn’t mean you post. There was a spam post that I guess an administrator has removed since.

#6

oh thank goodness for that Flex!!I spent time thinking in what way was it weird because Flex wouldn’t say it unless it was!!! hhahahahah

#7

@Pawel. Thanks for your thoughts. Not always successful, but I try to have others who meet me get some value out of that. I’m not always as kind to me. Self-acceptance and commitment seem to be recurring themes for me. I found some great routines on the net and practice that now.
I find I tend to come to the defense of someone getting annoyed by bullyish sorts. Strong crown chakra will do that.

  • note: Chakras are interesting to me in that it is the one ‘magic’ about yogism that makes sense from a scientific standpoint. We are plasma beings, meaning we are operated by an electro-magnetic system, and those systems tend to operate within ‘hubs’. I get there is energy flow in all of us - we are kind of battery operated. Neuro-muscular constriction/expansion due to external or internal forces will affect the hubs. Focusing my thoughts and directing my actions accordingly, I can keep the energy flowing nicely, and that’s a good thing.
#8

Where does it say chakras and belief in them are part of yoga?

#9

I referred to ‘yogism’. Different I think.

#10

[QUOTE=thomas;41789]Where does it say chakras and belief in them are part of yoga?[/QUOTE]

Heres an example Thomas I found on Internet (is this a distant debate or something?)

Yoga and the 1st Chakra The Bridge
Yoga and the 2nd Chakra The Cobra
Yoga and the 3rd Chakra The Bow
Yoga and the 4th Chakra The Camel
Yoga and the 5th Chakra The Fish
Yoga and the 6th Chakra Seated Yoga Mudra
Yoga and the 7th Chakra Seated Meditation

#11

Is this a concept that some have blended into their yoga practices or is it an integral part of yoga?

#12

[QUOTE=thomas;41797]Is this a concept that some have blended into their yoga practices or is it an integral part of yoga?[/QUOTE]

I honestly don’t know. Another hybrid maybe.

#13

There are loads on the net of examples just google, kundalini etc

#14

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;41779]* note: Chakras are interesting to me in that it is the one ‘magic’ about yogism that makes sense from a scientific standpoint. We are plasma beings, meaning we are operated by an electro-magnetic system, and those systems tend to operate within ‘hubs’. I get there is energy flow in all of us - we are kind of battery operated. Neuro-muscular constriction/expansion due to external or internal forces will affect the hubs. Focusing my thoughts and directing my actions accordingly, I can keep the energy flowing nicely, and that’s a good thing.[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure if its electromagnetic phenomena. If it would be, we could measure it easily (after all chakras are supposed to be hubs of energy). But in electromagnetic measurements of the human body we do not find any chakras. E.g. ECG measurement. It shows electric field generated by heart muscle activity (+muscle artifacts). ECG technique was investigated very throughly. If there would be some other source of electric activity introducing artifacts into ECG it would be found and described in detail (since its crucial technique in cardiology).

So far I concluded its either metaphor of “psychic energies” (emotions, thoughts, intuitions etc.) and their somatic expression or its type of energy not expressed in physical world.

Ps. Sorry for sidetracking the post subject. Nature of the chakras is one of the things I’m trying to explain to myself.

#15

Hi!
To strengthen and open the heart chakra, focus on:
~Backbends
~Restorative postures over bolsters or rolled up blankets to open the heart
~Deep breathing
~Love
~Forgiveness
~Self-acceptance
~Also doing things that you love… i.e. yoga, dancing, walking in nature, music that lifts you up etc…

There is a book that you might like by Joe Vitale and Dr. Hew Len called Zero Limits about the process of Ho’oponopono. It is a simple, great clearing technique focusing on love and forgiveness.

Love is the answer to every problem and every question.
Keep up the good work ; )
Robyn.

#16

i m really amazed at what people think of chakras.
Internet is full of junk knowledge mostly.
please read authentic yoga books, and Upanishads on yoga if you really want to benefit from this science of breath.
try reading ‘serpent power’ by arthur avalon (sir jhon woodroffe)
don’t get misguided by these fast lane yoga traders found on the net.

#17

Prasad I sit corrected…will do

#18

flex
you could do sitting meditation while focusing on the heart chakra, just put your attention there, sometimes I do this and fall asleep and feel peaceful after a quick nap.

you also, while doing normal daily activtity put your attention there as well and take a full yogic breath incorperating. lower belly, chest, shoulders. as much as you focus on full inhale, focus on full exhale. just a breath here and there or many breaths here and there.

hopefully that is not junk knowledge for ya
best to you
brother Neil

#19

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;41696]
So, I’ve begun some meditative exercises where I place my palms on the chakras, beginning at the root and working my way up, and visualize that spot and colour breathing deeply. At my heart I visualize opening the chakra and bright green beams of light shining out of me. I stay here for a longer time.
[B]Are there any other ideas where I can open and strengthen my heart chakra?[/B][/QUOTE]The best is to awaken Kundalini.

#20

[QUOTE=Brother Neil;42118]flex
you could do sitting meditation while focusing on the heart chakra, just put your attention there, sometimes I do this and fall asleep and feel peaceful after a quick nap.

you also, while doing normal daily activtity put your attention there as well and take a full yogic breath incorperating. lower belly, chest, shoulders. as much as you focus on full inhale, focus on full exhale. just a breath here and there or many breaths here and there.

hopefully that is not junk knowledge for ya
best to you
brother Neil[/QUOTE]

Yes. I have been doing exactly that with more detail. I have learned a bunch since I posted, particularly meditation techniques, chants, colour and visualization, and hand postures. I don’t know if it is a placebo effect, but the change is very noticeable, enough for me to go deeper.