In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc continues her chakra series by diving into the heart chakra—Anahata, the center of love, integration, and emotional wisdom. She explores how the heart serves as a bridge between the lower and upper chakras, connects the physical and spiritual self, and reflects the qualities of compassion with boundaries. Lauren shares signs of imbalance, practices to strengthen this energetic center, and the importance of self-love and resilience.
She also ties the heart chakra to yogic concepts like bhakti, ahimsa, and metta, offering practical tools both on and off the mat, including heart-opening postures, boundary work, grief rituals, and breath-led movement. Whether you're navigating heartbreak, working on emotional balance, or seeking deeper integration, this episode will support you in cultivating an open but supported heart.
This episode also highlights Lauren's book, Embody Your Inner Goddess, and True Love Yoga’s 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, where each chakra is explored in depth throughout the yearlong curriculum.
Anahata is the fourth chakra, representing love, integration, and compassion.
It bridges the lower (earthly) and upper (spiritual) chakras.
A balanced heart supports empathy, connection, and emotional boundaries.
Imbalances may show up as numbness, people-pleasing, isolation, or martyrdom.
Anahata relates to the lungs, shoulders, immune system, and vagus nerve.
Philosophical connections include Bhakti Yoga, Ahimsa, Metta, and Karuna.
Practices include heart-opening postures, grief rituals, metta meditation, and breathwork.
Boundary setting is essential to giving from a place of wholeness.
Grief and heartbreak are not flaws—they are part of an intelligent heart.
Yoga teaches us to stay present with discomfort and to love bravely.
