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