| The heart chakra is the seat of your emotional | | | | with you in your wallet. When you are being hard on |
| empowerment, compassion and unconditional love. It | | | | yourself, look at the face of sweet, innocent you. |
| relates strongly to how we nurture ourselves and | | | | Treat yourself with the love and gentleness you |
| others. Emotional wounds are held here, in the center | | | | deserve. |
| of your chest. Healing this energetic area of love and | | | | * Listen to your heart. You know that "little voice |
| emotion can open you up to deeper intimacy with | | | | inside" you often hear but usually ignore? Practice |
| yourself, and with the other. | | | | trusting yourself and following your heart. The joy |
| Healing the heart chakra strengthens your heart and | | | | you will find will change your life and give you |
| lungs. Heart disease, lung disease, circulatory | | | | amazing freedom. |
| problems, asthma, and bronchitis are reduced. | | | | * Have fun. Give yourself the gift of play. Roll down |
| Indications of blocked heart chakra energy include | | | | a green hill laughing. Buy fingerpaints and get messy |
| feelings of anger, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, | | | | with the colors. Babysit your friend's kids and follow |
| depression and an inability to forgive. Alcoholism and | | | | them into their world of make-believe. Dance to the |
| drug abuse are also signs of imbalance. | | | | music you loved as a child. |
| Foods for the Heart Chakra | | | | Partner Heart Meditation |
| The heart chakra is associated with the color green | | | | This can be shared with a lover, friend, parent or |
| (and sometimes pink). Foods that strengthen and heal | | | | child. You may also do this alone with a mirror. |
| this chakra include: | | | | Begin by placing your hands on your own heart |
| * Leafy greens including spinach, kale, escarole, | | | | chakra, located in the middle of your chest at armpit |
| dandelion greens, romaine lettuce | | | | height. With closed eyes breathe deeply into your |
| * Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, squash | | | | belly and visualize the breath filling your heart chakra |
| * Basil, sage, thyme, cilantro, parsley | | | | with energy. Connect with the love and tenderness in |
| * Green tea | | | | your breast. |
| Healing Practices | | | | When ready, open your eyes and face your partner. |
| * Forgive someone. If this cannot be done in person, | | | | Continue breathing into your heart chakra. Look at |
| write a letter releasing all blame from whosoever hurt | | | | your partner with soft, loving eyes. |
| you. | | | | Shift your focus now to your partner's left eye. |
| * Forgive yourself. Every choice you make in your life | | | | Breathe into your heart chakra and let the energy of |
| came from a place of self-love, even if it was deeply | | | | love in your heart pour into your partner. |
| hidden. Even if the choice caused you suffering. Each | | | | Let this process of sharing and receiving unconditional |
| "mistake" you made created the beautiful, loving, | | | | love continue until you are moved to touch hands or |
| perfect person you are today. It is time to heal, to | | | | embrace - follow your heart and do whatever feels |
| forgive and forget the past. | | | | natural to you. |
| * Mother yourself. Find a picture of yourself as a | | | | Do what you can to heal your heart, and watch your |
| young boy or girl. Post it on your mirror or carry it | | | | life change in ways you never imagined. |