Yoga Philosophy and the Heart Chakra

Yoga Philosophy and the Heart Chakra

Yoga is a practice that extends well beyond the yoga mat.  The study of yoga philosophy is often overlooked in modern society, but should be further explored.  Understanding yoga philosophy helps people to have a better experience on the mat and increases the benefits of a physical yoga practice.  Yoga philosophy causes many people to ask questions such as, ” what are the 3 gunas” or “where does yoga come from?” 

Yoga philosophy helps us understand our nadis, koshas and chakras, which are all part of the subtle body.  The chakras are our energy centers, the nadis are the channels that the energy travels through and the koshas are the layers of subtle bodies that we all have.  Chakras refer to various energy centers in your body that correspond to specific nerve bundles and internal organs. The seven major chakras run from the base of your spine to the top of your head. If these energy centers get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra.

Chakra (cakra in Sanskrit) means “wheel” and refers to energy points in your body. They are thought to be spinning disks of energy that should stay “open” and aligned, as they correspond to bundles of nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body that affect our emotional and physical well-being. Some say there are 114 different chakras, but there are seven main chakras that run along your spine. These are the chakras that most of us are referring to when we talk about them. Each of these seven main chakras has a corresponding number, name, color, specific area of the spine from the sacrum to the crown of the head, and health focus.

When we are understanding our yoga philosophy, the heart chakra is in balance and we can experience greater love and deeper relationships.  A Heart Chakra opens the channels of the heart, allowing us to receive and give freely. In Sanskrit, anahata means “unstruck” or “unbeaten”. This signifies an impartial and infinite love allowing a deeper understanding of self and others. It is located in the region of the heart, in the energy centre of the chest. It is very important for the heart chakra to be in balance. 

It is very important for the heart chakra to be in balance.  A lowered immune system (colds, flus, infections), heart and lung issues (heart palpitations common), poor circulation, high/low blood pressure, and respiratory and breathing difficulties are all symptoms of anahata chakra imbalance.  When the heart chakra is in healthy alignment you will feel surrounded by love, compassion, and joy and connected to the world around you. You will feel open to all experiences in life, and it will feel like challenges, especially in relationships, flow through you and are resolved with ease. An open heart chakra allows us to see all of the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world. This chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies.

It is very important for the heart chakra to be in balance.  A lowered immune system (colds, flus, infections), heart and lung issues (heart palpitations common), poor circulation, high/low blood pressure, and respiratory and breathing difficulties are all symptoms of anahata chakra imbalance.  When the heart chakra is in healthy alignment you will feel surrounded by love, compassion, and joy and connected to the world around you. You will feel open to all experiences in life, and it will feel like challenges, especially in relationships, flow through you and are resolved with ease. An open heart chakra allows us to see all of the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world. This chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies.

 


 

Yoga is a practice that extends well beyond the yoga mat.  The study of yoga philosophy is often overlooked in modern society, but should be further explored.  Understanding yoga philosophy helps people to have a better experience on the mat and increases the benefits of a physical yoga practice.  Yoga philosophy causes many people to ask questions such as, ” what are the 3 gunas” or “where does yoga come from?”

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