Experiencing grief, sorrow, and traumatic events can take a toll on your energy, with your heart chakra often bearing the brunt. Since the heart chakra regulates your self-affection, compassion, and emotional well-being, it’s important to keep it balanced. However, maintaining this balance isn’t easy, which can leave you feeling frustrated.
On the brighter side, healing and opening your heart chakra becomes much easier with the proper knowledge. For your convenience, I’ve discovered 8 practices to help you activate your heart chakra, ultimately guiding you towards a more fulfilling journey. You can make them into a daily routine or practice them when you need to heal.
But if you’re after personalized guidance on balancing and opening your heart chakra, Mindvalley’s Chakra Healing Quest is worth exploring. This 5-week course is designed to give structure to your healing journey, offering unique expert advice to balance all your chakras. I find it takes the guessing work out of the picture, allowing you to heal confidently.
How to Open Your Heart Chakra – A Quick Overview
- Be Conscious with Food – Eating leafy greens can shift your vibration and help to heal your heart space. Here’s more on healing with food.
- Recite Daily Affirmations – Reciting positive and loving affirmations to yourself each day can reprogram your mind and heart chakra. Check out some go-to affirmations.
- Listen to Healing Frequencies – Certain frequencies can attune your heart chakra and bring it into perfect balance. Discover the best frequencies for healing.
- Work with Corresponding Crystals – You can use crystals corresponding to the heart chakra to open it up faster. Find the best crystals to use.
- Anoint Yourself with Essential Oils – Certain oils can allow you to absorb their positive energy and heal from heartache. Here are the top oils to try.
- Practice Heart Opening Yoga Poses – Stretch your chest with yoga and open your heart chakra for long-term results. Check out the most recommended poses.
- Meditate & Chant – Meditation and chanting the heart chakra seed mantra will stimulate your heart space. Discover how to chant properly.
- Take a Chakra Course – Mindvalley’s Chakra Healing Quest offers a foolproof way to open your heart chakra. Here’s more about the Quest & its world-renowned instructor.
What Is the Heart Chakra?
The heart chakra is the fourth major chakra that nestles comfortably in the center of our chest. It’s often considered the center of emotional balance and a portal to unconditional love because it’s connected to the other upper and lower chakras. When this chakra opens up and is harmonized, it can promote a sense of inner peace, abundance, and trust while making us feel more connected to those around us.
This chakra is connected to the heart, lungs, breasts, arms, and circulatory system so when unbalanced, illness can manifest through these organs and body parts. In Astrology, the heart chakra is ruled by the planet Venus, as well as the corresponding signs of Taurus and Libra. In Numerology, it’s associated with numbers 4 and 7.
What’s the Heart Chakra Symbol?
The heart chakra, also known as “Anahata” in Sanskrit, consists of a pair of intertwined triangles, forming a hexagram that’s encased within a circle. The hexagram represents the concept of “as above, so below”, which is about the connection between the material and spiritual realms, as well as masculine and feminine energy. The two triangles represent the divine trinity and the heart chakra’s role as the center of divine connection.
Heart chakra symbol made up of intertwined triangles to form a hexagram
Surrounding the circle, there’s a green lotus flower with 12 petals which represent the 12 virtues of the heart chakra. The petals are said to act as energy channels where which each breath you can transmit. They also correspond to 12 sounds that are made when the petal rotates which go as follows: Kam, Kham, Gam, Gham, Ngam, Cham, Chham, Jam, Jham, Nyam, Tam, and Tham.
You’ll also find a deity, a deer, and the heart chakra seed syllable within the symbol. The depicted deity is Rudra or Ishana Rudra Shiva, who’s associated with transformation and is said to work with the goddess Kakini, the gatekeeper of the heart chakra. The spirit of the deer is believed to be the carrier of the seed sound or “YAM” mantra.
Signs of a Blocked vs. Balanced Heart Chakra
| When Blocked | When Balanced |
| 💔 Holding onto grudges and being judgemental
💔 Codependent or avoidant patterns 💔 Manipulative or cruel behavior 💔 Feelings of unworthiness and jealousy 💔 Inability to trust yourself and those around you |
❤️ Abundance of empathy and compassion for others
❤️ Altruistic and respectful demeanor ❤️ A sense of peace in the face of challenges ❤️ Strong sense of self-love ❤️ A healthy expression and management of emotions |
Painful events, such as heartbreaks or betrayals, can cause blockages in the heart chakra. When disrupted, feelings of jealousy, resentment, and low self-esteem emerge. Consequently, these blockages can prevent us from inviting new, enriching connections into our lives.
As you heal from past emotional wounds, you’ll notice your heart chakra opens. It’ll be obvious since you’ll feel more self-compassion and love for others. This shift can make it easier to manage your emotions so you can build strong, fulfilling relationships.
8 Ways to Open Your Heart Chakra
Many of the practices below have been used for thousands of years and are still being practiced today. If you find a few that resonate with you and practice them consistently, you’ll begin to notice positive changes in your heart space. Just stay patient and not overload your plate with too much at once.
1. Be Conscious of Food
It’s often said that our eating habits mirror our inner selves, which is true because food can profoundly affect your chakras. As food is fundamentally energy, it’s not outlandish to say that its energy can affect your energetic frequency. So, eating foods that resonate with the heart chakra’s frequency can help you heal this energy center.
Cultivating greater awareness around your food choices becomes crucial when trying to open your heart chakra. Striving to include more greens in your diet will yield positive changes in your heart chakra’s health. I recommend incorporating raw green foods such as kale, broccoli, spinach, parsley, matcha, avocado, and limes, among other unprocessed greens.
2. Recite Daily Affirmations
Affirmation work is a meditation that activates Delta and Alpha brainwaves to access and reprogram your subconscious mind effectively. The heart chakra can often remain blocked due to our negative perceptions about ourselves and the world at large. In these instances, affirmations have the power to pave new neural pathways and transform your mind.
I recommend reciting a handful of affirmations that connect with your spirit every morning. Make sure you focus on the areas you find challenging for the best results. Some good examples are, “ I am open to giving and receiving love”, “I forgive myself and others with grace and ease”, and “I choose to live life with compassion and understanding”.
3. Work with Appropriate Crystals
Engaging with compatible crystals is a powerful way to rejuvenate and activate your heart chakra. A few excellent choices encompass Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Emerald, Rhodonite, Green Aventurine, Amazonite, Jade, and Malachite. Pink and green crystals resonate at the same frequency as the heart chakra, paving the way for healing as you use them.
Just ensure you’re correctly cleansing, programming, and storing your crystals to preserve their healing energy and optimize your outcomes. While some believe that simply having your crystals nearby will work, I suggest setting a specific intention for improved results. This is similar to assigning a job to each crystal and helps focus its energy.
4. Listen to Healing Frequencies
Healing frequencies can permeate your being, which helps clean and attune your energy centers. Combining this practice with affirmations or mantras can cultivate a powerful practice that encourages major breakthroughs in less time. However, try to avoid going into practice with lofty expectations, as they will turn this harmonious practice into a source of stress.
The vibrations that resonate with the heart chakra are 341.3, 528, and 639 Hz. These specific frequencies invigorate the energy within your heart chakra, releasing any stagnant energy from your body. You can listen to these frequencies while walking, tidying up, or drifting off to sleep. Tibetan singing bowls have been used as healing instruments for centuries and can be a great tool for opening the heart chakra.
5. Anoint Yourself with Essential Oils
Like crystals, essential oils help balance, clear, and open up your heart chakra. This is because herbs carry a special frequency, and many are often used in herbal practices to enhance feelings of self-love, forgiveness, and peace. To use your oils, set an intention to clear negativity from your heart chakra before massaging the oils into the center of your chest.
Some of the best oils that correspond with the heart chakra are Lavender, Bergamot, Rose, Neroli, Lemon Balm, Eucalyptus, Melissa, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang. Make sure you do a patch test before working with these oils, especially if you’ve never used them. Doing so will minimize the risk of an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
6. Practice Heart Opening Yoga Poses
Yoga offers a great way to open up your chest space while getting your energy flowing. Since yoga combines deep breathing and movement, it’s a unique kind of meditation that both opens and stimulates healing energy. The Mindvalley Chakra Quest walks you through the best yoga poses for your heart chakra and lends the support of expert guidance.
To start, you can try some yoga poses linked with opening the heart chakra, such as Warrior 1 and The Bridge. You can find the complete list below, but always ensure you approach each pose carefully and warm up beforehand. It’s best to listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself far beyond your physical capabilities.
7. Chant Mantras & Meditate
Chanting mantras is an age-old practice of echoing a hallowed word or phrase, commonly in the ancient language of Sanskrit. It helps tranquilize your mind, concentrate your thoughts, and establish a connection with the divine or your inner self. The vibrations produced from repeating the mantra are believed to soothe and heal your mind, body, and spirit.
The mantra for the heart chakra is “Yam”, a Sanskrit term that embodies the energy of this chakra. Try using it during meditation or yoga sessions, which helps heal your physical and spiritual heart and opens you up to unconditional love. As you recite “Yam”, gently rest your right hand over your heart space and focus on the sensations.
8. Take a Chakra Course
While the techniques above can support your daily life, partaking in a chakra healing course can provide a more definitive way to open your heart chakra. Mindvalley hosts a comprehensive yet accessible Quest led by Anodea Judith, which focuses on a unique chakra each week and enables you to gain mastery over your energetic body.
Anodea Judith is an author, speaker, and teacher who has devoted her life to exploring the crossroads of psychology, spirituality, and the human body. With a Ph.D. in Psychology and Health, she’s a leading authority on the chakra system and has written several bestselling books on the topic, including “Wheels of Life” and “Eastern Body, Western Mind”.
What sets this Quest apart from other chakra courses is that it helps you understand the intertwined relationship between your daily actions and chakras. You can expect to receive actionable advice on navigating your emotions and thoughts better, enabling the healing of your energies and empowering you to gain more control over your life.
It’s also possible to try this course risk-free since Mindvalley subscriptions come with a 15-day free trial. The subscription also lets you experience other Mindvalley courses on spirituality and personal development, adding a tonne of value. You won’t have to talk to anyone to get your money back since you can press the self-refund button on your profile.
Best Sites for Energy Healing in 2025
Finding a skilled energy healer can be a deeply transformative experience. I have tried several platforms and curated the ones that I felt provided the most emotional relief. The energy healers on the following sites are compassionate and dedicated to what they do.
1. Keen — Best Overall For Energy Healing in 2025
- 120+ energy healers
- Healers with more than 4.5 stars
- Readings via chat or phone
- First 5 minutes for $1
Keen is my top choice for energy healing because it has more than 120 energy and chakra healers. While browsing, I noticed the majority had above 4.5 stars which reassured me I’d connect with a knowledgeable healer.
I ended up connecting with a healer by the name of Twin Flame Ajna, who had a profound effect on me. The emotional release I felt as my chest opened after the session was significant and it made me realize that the healers on Keen are the real deal.
I also like Keen’s detailed search filters, which cater to specific spiritual needs. For example, they make it easy to find healers like Anja, who have a variety of skills. Not only is she a skilled healer, but she also helped me interpret a repeating dream I kept having. Without the filters, I may not have connected with her.
I would love to see Keen offer video readings in the near future. However, my phone session was still very compelling as Anja’s sincerity was evident. Ajna even picked up on things about my past that I had forgotten to mention, which felt a little spooky, but in a good way.
2. Psychic SourcePsychic Source — Schedule Your Energy Healing Session in Advance
- 103 energy healers
- Schedule your session in advance
- Readings via phone or chat
- Helpful articles and media
- $0.66 per minute introductory offer
I like how Psychic Source lets you schedule your healing sessions in advance. I opted for this because I like to have my schedule organized well in advance. Not only that, but it allowed me to connect with my reader from an emotional place instead of an intellectual one.
I booked a session with Denise after reading her positive reviews, and my experience was like a balm to my heart. She was straightforward and spoke directly to my emotional needs, especially when I opened up about my recent heartbreak. I didn’t feel awkward with her and I felt so much lighter after my session.
Despite not being able to contact readers before scheduling, Psychic Source has an audio clip on each healer’s profile. Thanks to the audio clips, I got a feel for Denise’s energy and reading style which helped in the selection process. Without this feature, I may not have felt as drawn to connecting with her.
3. PathForward — Find Exclusive Energy Healers With Its Rigorous Vetting
- 18 Number of energy healers
- Stringent screening process
- Readings via phone or chat
- Esoteric podcasts and videos
- 10, 20, or 30 minutes for $0.83 per minute
PathForward maintains a rigorous screening process to ensure that only authentic energy healers can read on the site. Thus, I didn’t have to do a lot of background research since I felt confident all the healers were thoroughly vetted. Needless to say, my experience proved that my hunch was right.
I also like how PathForward offers a wealth of esoteric podcasts and videos. Although I’ve had a handful of healing sessions in the past, these resources can ease your doubts if it’s your first reading. It’s a useful way to answer any spiritual questions prior to hopping on a call with your healer.
Although its limited selection of energy healers was surprising, it actually saved me a lot of time in choosing Esme as my reader. I chose Esme because she gave off a very nurturing vibe but I feel all of the other healers are equally as skilled. From what I saw, most of the healers have a 4.8 star rating and up.
FAQs on the Heart Chakra
What are the signs my heart chakra is opening up?
Common signs that can signal an effective opening of your heart chakra are feelings of unconditional love, a sense of peace, and improved relationships. Since these are the primary energies associated with the heart chakra, it only makes sense that you’ll begin to see improvements in these departments.
As your heart chakra begins to open, you may experience sensations like tingling or warmth in your chest or back. These are positive signs that your practices are working and activating any dormant energies in your heart space. It’s also common to go through unexplainable bursts of purging since you’re removing dense energies.
How does my heart chakra get blocked?
Dealing with a great deal of grief and sadness in your life can block your heart chakra and lead to further issues. Common causes of grief and sadness include emotional trauma, a lack of self-love, unhealthy relationships, physical illness, and suppressed emotions.
As a result, I recommend you incorporate some healing practices into your routine so you can clear blockages and begin to open your heart chakra. Otherwise, issues such as difficulty forming meaningful relationships, persistent emotional and physical pain, inability to forgive, difficulty experiencing joy, and a lack of empathy for others may manifest.
Can my heart chakra be too open?
Yes, your heart chakra can become overactive and lead to it being “too open”. When this happens, you’ll usually experience symptoms completely the opposite of it being closed off. These can include difficulty setting boundaries, emotional volatility, and concentration issues. It’s also common to feel emotionally depleted and resentful.
If your heart chakra is overactive, you must ground the energy with physical movements like yoga. Doing so will neutralize the over-active energy and give it a healthy outlet through the physical body. Additionally, setting healthy boundaries with others and prioritizing your self-care can help restore the balance in this energy center.
Why does my heart chakra hurt?
Feeling pain or discomfort in your heart chakra can come from accumulating dense energy, causing it to be blocked. Serious blockages that cause physical pain are usually a result of extreme emotional trauma and can lead to developing physical health issues in rare instances.
Consider taking a chakra healing course if you suspect your blockage is serious, so you can receive professional guidance on clearing it. Tying to clear serious energetic blocks can be challenging sometimes, and you don’t want to wait too long to heal it. Otherwise, it can take longer to heal and have lasting effects on your personal life.
Remember that if the pain is persistent or severe, you should seek medical attention to rule out any underlying health issues. While alternative or holistic healing methods can be very effective, they should never replace medical insights from a doctor. So, always consult credible professionals when dealing with persistent or painful physical symptoms.
Bottom Line
Dealing with emotional trauma can be challenging, especially when you don’t have the right tools to heal your heart chakra effectively. But with a good grasp of how the heart chakra works, you can embark on a healing journey that stimulates personal growth and inspires others.
Remember, you can always deepen your knowledge and get faster results with an expert’s guidance. The Chakra Healing Quest on Mindvalley allows you to learn from the comfort of your own home while positively transforming your life. You’ll come out of the Quest with invaluable insights and a lifelong healing practice tailored for you.
