Chakras Intensive – Part 2 – Middle Chakras

Article by Angie Webster

This is the second part of a series on the chakras. Read Chakras Intensive-Part 1-Lower Chakras here.

The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, anchoring right over the sternum. We experience the heart chakra as a warm throbbing pull when we feel a deep loving connection to someone. We might say they “tug on our heartstrings” because we feel a sensation in our chest as a feeling of love. We also feel energy in this chakra as a crushing, burning pain when we experience deep loss or grief, such as when a relationship breaks up or someone close to us dies or is very ill. We often call this “heartache” because it truly does hurt in our chest. The heart chakra is a major energy center, which connects us in many ways to all of our other energy centers and connects our upper chakras to the lower chakras. We will feel energy moving here in many situations. Such as a lightness and an openness when we are feeling happy. Or a constriction when we are feeling stressed and anxious. The heart chakra affects the heart, lungs, thymus, arms and hands. It also supports our ability to love ourselves and others, have compassion and empathy, be content and at peace, have trust, to be non-judgmental and to be accepting of ourselves, others and what is. When it is not functioning well, we may have issues with the heart, lungs, circulatory system, immune system, arms or hands (including injury). Life issues may include fear of showing love or repression of love, martyrdom, jealousy, codependency, excessive focus on people pleasing, being withdrawn or isolating, being critical or intolerant of others and lacking empathy. People who are wounded in the heart chakra are usually very lonely people, though they sometimes may seem to not desire to be around others. Keeping a gratitude journal and actively working to develop self love and compassion for others as well as being willing to forgive yourself and others are all healing activities for the heart chakra.

The throat chakra connects at the throat area in the front of the neck. We may most easily relate to the experience of energy moving in this chakra when we are feeling tense, upset, or afraid. We get a tightness or even a lump or knot in our throat in these situations and may have a very hard time talking or even breathing well, in some cases. When you are relaxed and feel free to express yourself comfortably, you feel quite open in this area. The throat chakra affects the thyroid and parathyroid, the throat and voice, mouth and teeth, and the ears. It also supports our ability to express ourselves truthfully, clearly and fully, as well as being able to hear others well. This has to do with both the physical ability to communicate clearly, as well as the ability to truly give and receive the information with understanding. This chakra supports the expression of creativity as well. When the throat chakra is not functioning well, there may be problems in the throat or voice, thyroid, mouth or teeth, ears or neck. Life issues that may occur are communication difficulties, excessive talking or fear of speaking, speaking too loudly or too softly, timidity, gossiping, lying, telling other people’s secrets, being secretive and stopping the flow of creative expression. Methods for healing this chakra include singing or chanting, listening to music and participating in creative projects.

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Angie Webster made a significant contribution to the Reiki community, with a particular focus on Animal Reiki, which she had a deep affection for. As a knowledgeable Reiki Master Teacher and Author, she conducted online courses on energy healing, herbalism, flower essences, and personal growth.
She is the author of “Animal Reiki: How it Heals, Teaches & Reconnects Us with Nature” and “Reiki from A to Z”. Currently, Angie has decided to retire from her professional life to devote more time to her health, family, and the little joys of life.