Anahata, (Anahatha) 4th Chakra Unbeaten, or Heart Chakra

Location - Center of the chest (heart), love
Color - Green (secondary color is pink)
Element - Air
Symbol - Cross
Energy - Consciousness
Frequency - 659.3 cps
Note - F#
Sense - Touch
Statement - "I want to give and receive love"
Astrological sign - Libra
Spinal Contact - 1st Thoracic Vertebra
Interrelating Organ - Thymus
Functions - Anchors the life-force from the Higher Self. Energizes the blood and physical body with the life-force, blood circulation
Glands/Organs - Heart, thymus glad, circulatory system, arms, hands, lungs
Gems/Minerals - Emerald, green and pink tourmaline, malachite, green jade, green aventurine, chrysoprase, kunzite, rose quartz, ruby
Foods - Green fruits and vegetables
Qualities - Divine/unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, balance, group consciousness, oneness with life, acceptance, peace, openness, harmony, contentment
Negative Qualities - Repression of love, emotional instability, out of balance, heart problems, circulation problems

Anahata chakra means 'unstruck', or 'unbeaten'. This chakra is the seat of anahata nada, the most subtle cosmic sound, which is experienced only in the highest state of meditation. This sound is said to be unstruck because it is not caused by any external friction, nor can it be heard by the ears, by the mind, or even by the psyche.

It is transcendental sound which can only be perceived by pure consciousness. Being the heart center, anahata is responsible for the wakening of oneness with life which is characterized with "Universal Love". The heart chakra is the transmutation of fire into light.

The symbol is two triangles, one pointing up, and the other down. They represent balance. The heart is the center, with three chakras above, and three below. The six pointed star, also known as the Star of David, symbolizes the awakening of spirituality while being firmly planted on the ground.

The heart chakra is the center of compassion. When this chakra opens, you transcend the limits of your ego, and identify with other people, plants, animals, all of life. This is the humanitarian center. When your heart chakra is open, you're likely to become involved in social causes. The heart chakra is your most vulnerable place.

A person with a developed anahata is generally very sensitive to the feelings of others, and the sense of touch is highly developed. These people have the power to heal others either by touch, or by radiating energy. Many people who perform miraculous healing do so through the agency of anahata.

The heart center is the seat of divine love. It is here that "I" emotion is re-channeled into devotion. Vishnu granthi, the second psychic knot, representing the bondage of emotional attachment, is located here.

When this knot is opened, one becomes free of all selfishness, and emotional instability, and enters a state of divine, unconditional love. This chakra is the psychological center for the evolution of idealism, the urge for expansion of self-concept, and world view.

Included in this developmental area is the need to develp the capacity to love on the transpersonal point, the transference point for converting energies from the lower centers to higher ones. The heart center is almost never imbalanced unless the individual is undergoing a major transition in their life.

Psychological states associated with the heart center are transition, disorientation, crisis, euphoria, extreme swings between ecstasy, and despair, feelings of loss, separation, numbness, extreme emotional sensitivity, and panic.

Anahata is associated with manomaya kosha, controlling the emotions. It is at this level that we become free of fate, and begin to control our own destiny. Hence, at anahata we find the symbol of the kal Patam or the wish-fulfilling tree.

When this tree starts to fruit, whatever we think or wish comes true. Anahata is located at the heart level. Its element is air, and its vayu is prana, the ascending force which controls the heart, and lungs. The beeja mantra is Yam.

We hope you have found, or are considering bringing Hatha Yoga into your life. We look forward to seeing you at one of our yoga classes, or workshops, held regularly when we are home in Largo, Florida from November-May. Or, on our next Yoga Bound Travel Adventure with special Yoga in Bali Retreats and Yoga in Thailand Retreats.