Heart-Centric Practices
“The employment of the Divine Attention. “Attention” is a word derived from the Latin root, meaning “to reach out; to stretch out,” and so the act of Attention is really a mental “reaching out; extension” of mental energy, so that the underlying idea is readily understood when we examine into the real meaning of “Attention.””
The heart represents the centerfold of human creation. The energetic heart, Anahata Chakra, is located in the center of the chest at the T4 thoracic spinal region, roughly in the center of the torso. It’s associated with the cardiac plexus, the nerve ganglia that communicate with and sustain the heart's energetic and emotional capacity. This post explores the holistic phenomena of the heart space, from its physical necessity, emotional capacity, and spiritual connectivity.
The Physical Heart: Powerhouse of Life
Anatomically, the heart supplies energy via pressure and blood movement, regulates metabolism through fatty acids, glucose, ketones, and amino acids, and provides power to the body via the mitochondria.
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of cells because they produce an abundance of ATP (the currency of cells). Cardiomyocytes, the heart cells that make up the muscles, contain the most mitochondria of all cells in the body.
The heart’s resilience and vitality depend on the mitochondria, physically and energetically. Mitochondria are associated with Anahata, the symbolic heart, as it expresses the creation and preservation of the heart’s energy and capacity for wellness.
Mitochondria transforms the energy produced through proper sleep, nutrition, activity, and stress into light energy.
Light energy is released from the mitochondria as they do their work. The light energy produces structure by transforming the water-based molecules into crystals. This process produces order within the body on a cellular level, which in turn creates a greater capacity for the absorption of nutrients, transfer of oxygen and minerals, and harmony of the bodily systems (specifically the endocrine and nervous) in establishing stronger systems that produce order, awareness, and ultimately, compassion.
To learn more about mitochondria and light energy, listen to this interview with Zach Bush.
The Energetic Heart: Gateway to the Spiritual
The energetic heart, the spiritual heart, responds to physical and energetic stimuli. Its overarching purpose (Anahata) is to deepen our connections with Love, Compassion, Acceptance, Surrender, and Forgiveness. The spiritual heart is actualized through the energetic heart, and a strong physical heart is needed to unfold this process.
Kriya yoga strengthens and activates the heart's physical, emotional, and energetic properties, guiding the individual to a deepened appreciation and attention to its symbolic properties.
Through mantra, mudra, and repetitive movement, the physical and energetic capacities of the heart are activated and strengthened.
Reflecting and relating through the spiritual heart is a practice that may be cultivated through movement, visualization, and embodiment of philosophical tenets, which include compassion, forgiveness, and the development of self-expression.
Enjoy the practices from the Purna Sadhana Program below. This event provided three simple techniques for working with the energy body to express the abundance and radical self-love you contain.
Practices to Strengthen Your Physical and Energetic Heart
Movement:
Mantra:
ARDAAS BHAEE
Ardaas bhaee, amar daas guroo,
Amar daas guroo, ardaas bhaee
Raam daas guroo, raam daas guroo,
Raam daas guroo, suchee sahee
Calls upon Guru Ram Das and Guru Amar Das to answer your prayers.
Hridaya Mudra (Spiritual Heart Mudra)
Strengthens the heart , clears gastric problems, aids those with high blood pressure, detoxification for the blood
About the Heart Chakra:
Anahata = the unstruck sound
Themes include forgiveness, surrender, grief, love, compassion, self-acceptance.
Wisdom of the Heart Includes:
No Judgement
No Competition
No Comparison
No labelling
No Asking Why
Energy Locks to Activate the Heart Center from Jin Shin Jyutsu
Founded by Jiro Murai, Japan 1912
Jin Shin Jyutsu = ‘creators art through the compassionate person.’
Lock 15: Washing the heart with laughter
Location: on the hip bones at the crook of the pelvis and thighs.
How to do it: place the palms over the hip bones.
What it does: It brings lightness, compassion, and joy to the body. It moves energy and boosts the individual's energy if they feel depleted or fatigued. It promotes strength and makes one feel safe and secure. It connects one to inner stability so one may live from an open heart. It encourages a centered and grounded approach to living.
Lock 26: All-encompassing and complete
Location: at the base of the shoulder blades
How to do it: wrap your arms around yourself as if to give your body a big hug, and place the fingers at the base of the shoulder blades on the back.
What it does: It reminds one to be present and connect to the RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. It brings peace, inner awareness, and a sense of being held. It promotes equilibrium within and a means to see all the possibilities around you.
Ritual of the Unstruck Virtual Yoga Studio
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Ritual of the Unstruck Virtual Yoga Studio 〰️
A stimulating sequence that clears toxins from the cells, tissues, skin, and muscles to keep your body beautiful and glowing.
This set includes:
Seated Cat/Cows
Seated Chest Opener
Boat Pose with Legs Extended
Boat Pose with Legs Tucked
Stretch Pose
Benefits of the kriya:
Purifies the blood
Strengthens the entire nervous system
Improves blood flow and lymphatic discharge
Strengthens the core and digestive fires
Stimulates the liver and spleen
