As the centre (heart) of the chakra system, a heart chakra that is not functioning correctly can throw your whole system out of balance. Love is also the source of all healing, so a lack of self-love can show itself in an inability to regain balance and wholeness after an illness or emotional trauma. You may feel incapable of loving anyone, or you may give too much away in an attempt to earn love and acceptance. Perhaps you withhold affection or approval because you're afraid of rejection, even turning this against yourself so that you remain in isolation, cut off from others. If you find it hard to accept those who are different from you, or you judge people because you don't understand them, these are signs that you need to work on your heart chakra. Common physical problems stemming from an imbalanced heart chakra are asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and lung disease. As extensions of the heart, problems with the arms and hands can also be attributed to this chakra.

Boosting your heart chakra

As this is the chakra of air, get outside in the fresh air, allowing the natural breezes to blow the cobwebs away and revitalise you.

Wear something green
Green is the colour of the heart chakra, so wearing it will help to put you in touch with its healing, balanced energy. If green doesn’t suit you, try carrying a green crystal, such as malachite, emerald or green aventurine.

Listen to your body
Literally! We cannot love others properly until we have first learned to love ourselves, so spend some time having a conversation with your body to check how you're doing. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and say hello to your body. If you get a hello in return, start a dialogue. Are there any parts of you that need attention? Could you treat yourself better in any way? Does any part of you dominate the rest? When you can look after and accept yourself, you're much more likely to be able to do it for others.

Exercises
• Practice deep, focused breathing - the average person only uses half their full lung capacity. By getting more oxygen and air into your system, you expand your consciousness and purify the body of toxins. Try breathing into different areas of the body and notice the different sensations this generates.
• The next time you have a disagreement with someone, try putting yourself in their shoes and telling the story from their point of view. Then get them to do the same for you.
• The cobra yoga exercise is great for opening out the chest and lungs. Lie flat on your stomach with arms bent and palms placed face down by your shoulders. Slowly lift your head, shoulders and back as far back as you can comfortably go without using your arms. Relax, and then try again, this time using your arms to push yourself further back, taking a deep breath as you go. Relax and repeat as often as you like.

Wishing tree meditation
Lie or sit comfortably, ground yourself and feel your muscles relaxing. Breathe deeply in and out, establishing a steady rhythm. Focus on your heartbeat, imagining the blood flowing through your arteries and veins with every pulse, out and around your body and back through to the heart again.

See your heart as a sacred tree, the branches a web of life extending all through your body and out into the world. The trunk of this tree is you, the core of your central self, while the leaves of the tree are the dearest wishes of your heart. In front of this sacred tree lies a jewelled altar. Choose something you want to give up, like a bad habit, or something you can give, like healing, to offer on the altar in exchange for granting your wish. Now breathe deeply into your heart and feel this longing of your soul, letting it fill the branches of your sacred tree. Imagine that a single bird flies down to sit in the centre of the tree, listening intently to your longing and wish - allow your heart (not your mind) to whisper your wish to the bird as you hold it close to your heart. When you feel ready, kiss the bird and release it to fly away and take your wish to the universe, to be fulfilled in the best way possible for all concerned.

©Semele Xerri