Matters of the heart

The heart is a gate-less gate to divinity. Move to the heart. We are all hung up, stuck in the head - that is our problem. The only problem is that we think too much. There is only one solution - get down from the head to the heart. All your problems will disappear. Problems are created by the head. The heart is innocent. The heart is a fountain of love.

~Vasant Lad

February is here and our attention is drawn to love and matters of the heart. Feeding and nurturing the heart is extremely important to our wellbeing. Of course, we must tend to the physical health of the heart by proper diet and exercise, but we also need to tend to the energetic and emotional heart. Ayurveda teaches that the heart is the seat of the mind related to emotions, feelings, and sensations. When we are too cerebral and stuck in the thinking mind, we are unable to tend to matters of the heart. Instead of feeling our feelings we intellectualize them. We are left without the ability to process, digest, or assimilate our emotions. We know when we do not digest something, it becomes ama which is the Sanskrit word for toxins. Ama is anything (food, emotions or thoughts) that is partially or undigested. Imagine the ama of unaddressed emotions in a heart.

I will be teaching a workshop on Prana, Agni and Ama if you are interested in taking a deeper dive into this topic.

As per both Yoga and Ayurveda the fourth chakra, which is called Anahata, is connected to the heart region. The Prana Vayu which is the prana we take in through the senses and Sadhaka Pitta, which is a sub dosha related to pitta are also located in this part of the body.

The flow of blood is also said to be connected to certain emotions. Emotions related to this energy center are love, care, joy, sadness, happiness, surprise, thoughtfulness. If you have negative emotions, the heart can be affected by heartburn, chest pains, stress, coronary artery disease, hypertension and heart attacks.

Ayurveda teaches that our issues are in our tissues. If we are carrying unresolved emotions in the body, they can eventually present as a physical disease. Let’s explore ways we can support the digestion of our emotions to build our intuitive heart health.

One of the best ways to address these emotions is through meditation along alternate nostril breathing. Here is a recording of a hands-free alternate nostril breathing practice that you can try {click here}.

Including peeled almonds, walnuts, cow milk, whole grains in your diet can be useful. I created an herbal tea infusion specifically for the heart chakra called Unitea which is intended to bring energy and balance to the region of the heart. Another beautiful Ayurvedic herb to incorporate is Arjuna. I use it in my heart opening herbal blend called Sita’s Tears.

Other practices to heal the heart and bring joy to our lives is communing with nature. Nature is incredibly healing. We should all take time every day to either appreciate the beauty and splendor of the sun rising or setting, even better both. Observe the magnificence of a tree or a flower.

Create time with friends to foster authentic and healthy connections. Tyler and I are teaching a Partners Yoga Class for Valentines Day on Saturday, February 12th from 5-7 at Metta Yoga. This will be an opportunity to create a deeper connection with a friend or your partner. Notice which relationships are perhaps not serving your greater good and release them with grace. Daily devotion and spiritual practice will go a long way in keeping your heart open and healthy.

I wish you so much love this month and every month.

From: May 2021 Newsletter