2 Simple Techniques to Open and Unblock Your Heart Chakra

Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 10, 2022 References

If your heart chakra feels blocked, you might struggle with relationships or compassion. Chakras are energy focal points used in ancient meditation practices. Your heart chakra, also called anahata, is the energy point located at your heart. It's no surprise that it's associated with feelings of love, joy, and empathy. We'll walk you through ways to unblock this chakra, so you're open to love and other positive emotions.

Section 1 of 2:

What is the heart chakra?

The heart chakra is the 4th chakra and the center of unconditional love. When this energy point is balanced, you probably feel open, loving, and accepted. However, if your heart chakra is blocked or out of balance, you'll start experiencing more negative emotions like fear, and hate.^{[1]
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- You'll also find that your relationships become more challenging if your heart chakra is blocked since love can't flow through you as easily.

Section 2 of 2:

How to Unblock Your Heart Chakra

1
Write in a gratitude journal every day. If your heart chakra is blocked, you might feel like nothing is going right or you can't see the silver lining in things. Try to write down 3 things that you're grateful for every day. This trains your mind to see the positive so you're open to love and joy.
- These don't have to be epic things! You might write that you're thankful for nice weather, a great phone call with a loved one, or a nice meal you had.
2
Hold, wear, or meditate with crystals that open your heart chakra.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Expert Interview. 29 June 2020.} You've probably seen rose quartz shaped like a heart—this is perfect for balancing your chakras. You could also hold or meditate with jade if you're working on emotional healing. Green calcite is another crystal that's thought to absorb negativity.^{[3]
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- If you're trying to get through a rough emotional time, you might try green aventurine. This crystal is associated with energy and soothing tricky emotions.
3
Use rose oil for soothing aromatherapy. Run a diffuser with essential oils that unblock your heart chakra. Rose oil is thought to reduce depression and improve feelings of well-being. If you don't have a diffuser, add a few drops of essential oil to a hot bath. You can also try any of these essential oils that are known to balance the heart chakra:^{[4]
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- Bergamot oil
- Chamomile oil
- Lavender oil
- Sandalwood oil
- Ylang ylang oil
- Lemon balm oil
4
Recite heart-opening affirmations. Any time you start to feel down or disconnected, pause and repeat a few affirmations that speak to you. You can say them out loud or mentally recite them. Here are a few good heart-opening affirmations to get you started:^{[5]
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- I am worthy of the purest love.
- I am fully open to giving and receiving love.
- It is safe for me to love and be loved.
- I deeply, and completely, love and accept myself.
- I choose to see myself and others in a compassionate light.
5
Focus on activities that you love. It might seem simple, but redirecting your attention to things that bring you happiness can help open your heart chakra. Instead of dwelling on the negative, spend time with people you love, get out into nature, or carve out time in your busy day to read, play an instrument, or garden.^{[6]
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- If you have a pet, work in some extra cuddle time. They'll love the extra attention and it can remind you of the unconditional love your pet has for you.
6
Practice loving kindness meditation. Get comfortable in a quiet space and take a few deep breaths. Mentally send love and kindness out to your loved ones. Then, expand to mentally send gratitude to people that you don't like or dislike. Finish by sending warmth and compassion to people that you have trouble with before thinking of everyone on the planet.^{[7]
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- As you meditate, repeat your favorite heart chakra affirmations. For instance, say, "May I be safe, may I be happy, and may I be kind."
7
Sit and do deep-breathing exercises. Lower yourself to the floor in a crossed leg position and relax. Slowly breathe in through your nose, feeling the breath rise from your belly up to your chest. Keep breathing to expand and open your upper chest near your heart and hold your full breath for 3 to 5 seconds. Then, slowly breathe out through your nose.^{[8]
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- Repeat this as many times as you like. You should be able to get into a gentle rhythm of breathing and expanding that can help balance your chakras.
8
Try yoga poses that open and expand your heart chakra. One of the most popular poses that does this is the cobra pose. Lay on your belly and place your palms flat to your side so they're below your shoulders. Breathe in as you push just your chest up and out. Keep your elbows tucked to your sides. This opens and expands your heart chakra. Then, exhale as you slowly lower yourself back down. You can repeat this as many times as you like.^{[9]
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- Other poses that unblock your heart chakra include the upward-facing dog pose, bridge pose, camel pose, and reclining bound angle pose.