People in the healing arts and service-based industries are often “heart-centered” and are highly oriented to the heart chakra (anahata).
We are naturally giving, nurturing, empathetic and highly sensitive people (HSP’s).
While this may be our superpower and precisely what makes us successful teachers, healers and facilitators – the shadow side of heart-centered generosity is a tendency to over give.
Our initial instinct and tendency may be to jump in, help and serve – but, our sensitivity and receptivity can leave us feeling overwhelmed, flooded, irritable and/or resentful.
If our altruistic motives are not rooted in a strong sense of Self and personal power (3rd Chakra) with clear boundaries, we may slip into “excessive” heart chakra tendencies.
Watch the quick video above to learn how to cultivate a balanced state of your Heart Chakra, so that you can be in your highest service and give from a place of overflow, generosity and true inspiration.
Jump over into the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
Sending you all sooo much love!
Ashley
Hi,
I’ve been inspired to do more asana practice recently to help deal with excess worry, and finding it a great relief. I feel so much more positive and am really enjoying reconnecting in this way. It’s keeping me more balanced
I love the focus of giving from a place of authenticity rather than a feeling of obligation. However, what does one do when they have responsibilities that require them to be present and giving, even when they need a break. I think many healers are feeling this right now – how do I take the space for myself when my profession, job, paycheck requires the presence? In terms of what feeds my soul – I’ve recently discovered a program call “the class” that helps me to move and process feelings, I focus on dreaming about the future, and I have been working on tightening my schedule so that I’m not as exhausted.
I had just taken two days to connect to my inner self and surprisely opened your video. Once in a while I have this intense need to be isolated in order yo replace my energie level. It is very important to me and I believe it is important to others as well
It is critical to recharge your own (my own) “batteries” if you have a tendency to over give of yourself in an effort to serve others.
Thank you so much Ashley! found this so helpful and reassuring to know I’m not alone- “create before you consume”, is so perfectly put. I put loud music on that makes me want to dance really loud in my ears, I sing, I dance, I do asana every day, drink water and jump in the ocean, thank goodness I am lucky enough to be near it here is AUS. Lots of love and well wishes
Beautifully put as always, Ashley. Thanks for sharing. x
Thank you Ashley for validating just how I feel! I have had about half of my clients not booking virtual or phone counseling appointments during this crisis. They want to wait & meet in person. I am totally fine with this, for I’ve needed to give myself some gifts of extra self care & spiritual growth!
Some of my tools have included: daily work-out classes & walks outside, increased physical space for my yoga & meditation practice. Finding you & signing up for your Foundations of Yoga for Mental Health Class!
Keeping a balance of being informed with information about the virus, as well as shutting off the overload. Spending positive time on Zoom mtgs with friends, family & colleagues. I’ve actually have enjoyed spring cleaning my house & weeding the outside gardens! Focusing on what I can do, as opposed to what I can’t do (hug my grandkids) has really been a great coping skill- along with lots of prayers for all. ????
Thank you so much Ashley ????????
So insightful and relevant right now!
When lockdown was announced in Wales in March, my initial reaction was to offer support to my yoga community by sharing videos to help people alleviate anxiety and boost their immunity. I launched weekly sound meditation sessions and online yoga classes soon after – all coming from a genuine desire to support.
But I’ve also needed to take a break from social media and cancelled a class last week as I realised that getting my head around the tech needed pivot to online took a LOT of my energy and I needed to recharge my batteries. I felt so agitated and angry last Friday and knew I couldn’t show up for my students like that. We need to practice what we preach after all we can’t pour from an empty cup!
I just joined your Foundations for Mental Health programme and am so looking forward to learning with you.
Much love,
Christine ????
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and am having a hard time feeling grounded
Ashley, Professional Workers, ( HSP,), Also have to look at then self’s, Take a Moment, make sure that they look Inward, And Accept, Embrace, what there feeling, Self Compassion, before the ability, to share Compassion, &, Loving kindness, with those that they are with working with, Being able to take time to look inward, towards there own Feelings ! Quite often we shut out our feelings, while working with others, That Can be trouble some to us !
Emotional heavy, so true the reaching out and serving others takes its toll. Spending time at my cottage in nature .
I have what I call a 5 min ‘Wibbly Wobbly’ 2 to 3 times a day.
I pick a piece of music and dance to it frenetically and allow myself to feel whatever it is I am feeling.
Also morning asana and meditation with a clear ‘closing down’ process in the evening. The challenge is for that itself to not become a rigid structure!