Chakra Series: How to Unblock Your Heart Chakra & Open Yourself to Love + 6 Things That Could Be Causing Your Block
- Hayley Hunt
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
If I’ve ever told you there was a lot of energy around your heart chakra, then this blog is for you. Read on to discover how to unblock your heart chakra and open yourself to love, self-love, compassion, and emotional peace.
During your Reiki treatment, I always provide feedback; what energy I felt around you, where it’s stored, which chakra may be blocked, and what that means for your wellbeing. You may also notice I place specific healing crystals on certain areas of your body, especially when stagnant or imbalanced energy is present around your heart space.
This guide is a simple, beginner-friendly way to understand your heart chakra, why it becomes blocked, and how to gently clear, balance, and reopen it.
What Is the Heart Chakra?
The heart chakra (Anahata) is the fourth of the seven main chakras that run along your spine up to your crown. It represents love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance.
Sanskrit name: Anahata
Position: Centre of the chest/over heart
Colour: Green (and sometimes pink)
Element: Air
Crystals: Rose Quartz, Green Aventurine, Moss agate, Jade, Rhodonite, Malachite
Body areas: Heart, lungs, breasts, back, shoulders, and arms
When your heart chakra is open and balanced, you feel love, peace, and harmony — both toward yourself and others. When it’s blocked, you may feel guarded, lonely, or emotionally heavy.
What Causes the Heart Chakra to Become Blocked?
Heart chakra blockages often come from:
Past heartbreak, grief, or loss
Betrayal or rejection in relationships
Self-criticism or lack of self-love
Emotional suppression or fear of vulnerability
Holding onto resentment or anger
Compassion fatigue or burnout
Signs of a Blocked Heart Chakra
Physical symptoms might include:
Tightness or heaviness in the chest
Shoulder or upper-back pain
Circulatory or lung issues
Shallow breathing
Emotional symptoms can include:
Difficulty trusting others or letting people in
Feeling unloved, disconnected, or lonely
Overgiving or people-pleasing
Holding grudges or emotional pain
Struggling to forgive yourself or others
If this resonates with you, don’t worry! There are beautiful and effective ways to unblock your heart chakra.
How to Unblock Your Heart Chakra
The key is love and openness.
When in doubt, open your heart.
Feeling guarded? Open your heart.
Feeling hurt or disconnected? Open your heart.
Opening your heart allows in love.
Here are some simple, healing ways to unblock your heart chakra energy:
Spend time in nature: Especially around trees or open spaces. The air element connects directly to the heart.
Practice gratitude: Write down three things daily that make your heart feel full.
Connect with loved ones.
Practice deep breathing: Inhale love, exhale pain. Breathe slowly into your heart space.
Visualise green light: Imagine a radiant emerald light expanding from your chest with each breath.
Do acts of kindness: Giving from the heart opens energy flow naturally.
How to Unblock Your Heart Chakra with Reiki
Choose as little or as many as the techniques in this blog and practice them regularly, Consistency is key. Reiki healing is also a deeply nurturing way to unblock your heart chakra. During a session, Reiki energy flows into your chest area, releasing emotional tension, soothing heartbreak, and rebalancing your ability to both give and receive love.
Clients often describe a sensation of warmth and lightness in the chest after Reiki — as if a weight has been lifted.
Using Sound & Vibration for Heart Chakra Healing
Sound can open the energetic flow of the heart. Try:
An F-note singing bowl, which resonates with the heart chakra frequency.
528 Hz frequency music, known as the “love frequency,” to restore harmony and peace.
Yoga Poses to Unblock the Heart Chakra
Heart-opening yoga poses help to release tension and expand the chest. Try:
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Affirmations for Heart Chakra Healing
Repeat these affirmations to open yourself to love and compassion:
“I am open to giving and receiving love.”
“I forgive myself and others.”
“I am surrounded by love.”
“My heart is full of compassion.”
“It is safe for me to love and be loved.”
How to Unblock Your Heart Chakra with Crystals
To unblock your heart chakra with crystals, place one over your chest during meditation or Reiki, or wear it as jewellery near your heart. You can also leave crystals on your bedside table. Try:
Rose Quartz for unconditional love and self-healing
Green Aventurine for emotional balance
Jade for calm and compassion
Rhodonite for forgiveness and release
Consistency Is the Secret
Once your heart chakra begins to open, nurture it daily with your chosen techniques.
Reiki sessions can help maintain energetic balance and prevent emotional blockages from building up again.
Ready to Open Your Heart and Feel Love Again?
If you’ve been feeling emotionally closed off, lonely, or heavy-hearted, your heart chakra might simply need some care and healing. Allow yourself that time, guilt free!
Questions? Please get in touch!
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