When life feels like it lacks love, try these juicy heart-opening yoga poses to help bring some sweetness into your day. By strengthening the heart chakra and energetically opening up the chest area, love can shine your way.
These poses also have the added benefit of waking you up when you’re feeling sleepy. Bonus!
Key Heart-Opening Asanas:
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
This pose is one of my favourites. It’s great for stress and calming the brain. By honouring the entirety of the pose, from beginning to the end, the heart can open up to new possibilities.
From the ground, lie on your back and bend the legs so the feet are flat on the ground. Try and make it your goal to get the feet nearish to the buttocks.
Inhale a few times. Now, bring the palms down by the side of the body. Relax the face.
As you inhale, gently start to bring the buttocks off the ground, and at the same time raise the chest. Once in the pose don’t forget to breathe and keep the chest up. To add more depth you can work on opening the energetic heart chakra by imagining a beautiful green crystal light glowing from the heart. Depending on your ability, hold for five to ten breaths.
Slowly come down in reverse, so that you work from the top of the body; the tailbone is the last part to touch down. You may find some sections of the back move easier than others. Try to move all areas of the spine equally, and as slowly as you can.
Remember the breath. As you reach the ground, try repeating three to five times.
Camel pose (Ustrasana)
Camel pose is the opposite of slouching. Shoulders are opened, and the spine gets to move in the opposite way to what it does in sitting.
From kneeling, raise the buttocks, extend your chest up, and engage the core. Next, lean back and either keep your hands resting on your hips, or if you have the flexibility to go further, touch the feet. Work at your compassionate edge. Never force the body. Don’t forget to breathe. Come out slowly after five breaths.
Rest in kneeling with the buttocks on the heels for a few breaths, before repeating Camel pose a few times.
By adding these two heart-opening poses to your regular yoga routine, positive changes can manifest. Life can be sweeter once again. Open your heart to your full potential.
‘Wherever you go, go with all your heart’ ~ Confucius
Note: Always make sure you are fully warmed up and have checked with your doctor for suitability before trying these exercises at home.
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