It may seem like the goal of a back bend is to have a really bendy spine. This is not so. Urdhva Danurasana or the Wheel, is a yoga pose that does require flexibility in the spine, but falls into the category of a heart opener. The primary goal of back bending postures in yoga is actually to create opening in the chest at the physical level, translating to openness in the heart on the emotional and spiritual plane. For today's journey through heart opening, let us take a look at several asanas that lend themselves to opening in the heart center.
Baby Cobra
Baby Cobra
Baby Cobra is a wonderful heart opener for those new to yoga, or for those with back troubles. To make this pose effective, press the tops of the feet and pelvic bones into the ground beneath you. Soften the muscles in the gluts. draw shoulders away from the ears and toward one another, keeping elbows at your side and finger tips in line with the chest. Keep a neutral neck. Now, instead of focusing on the bend in your back, focus on drawing the heart forward. This will open the chest and enhance flexibility in the spine.
Ardha Bekasana
Ardha Bekasana
Ardha Bekasana, or half frog pose is a wonderful variation of the heart opening posture of cobra. In addition to creating openness in the heart center, you are also stretching the hip muscles. The combination of opening the heart and stretching the hips lends itself to an emotional healing powerhouse of a pose.
Ustrasana
Ustrasana
Ustrasana, or Camel pose is a heart opener that also works to strengthen the core. If practicing camel, the hands do not need to find their way to the heels. You can modify the pose by resting your hands at the small of your back. Be careful not to sink into the lower back which puts undue strain and pressure on the vulnerable lumbar spine. Instead, inhale to lengthen your torso, exhale to engage the core to protect the low back and open the chest up toward the sky.
Call me a hopeless romantic, but the heart is central to our existence. From a purely biological perspective, the heart is responsible for the health and function of all other bodily systems. It works diligently to oxygenate every organ, every cell of your body. It is also what makes us human. Our hearts, when open, give and receive love freely. The best indication of the fruit a person will produce is the condition of that person's heart. There is no greater illustration of the importance of the condition of our hearts than the Parable of the Sower:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ...18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:1-8 and 8-23
The soil represents the condition of our hearts. Yes, the grace of God opens our hearts. But we also can take positive action to initiate the flow of Love and Truth in and out of our hearts. Practice these heart openers with the intention of tending the soil of your heart. Allow the breath to connect you with the rhythm of the body. The ebb and flow, give and take. And let love flow!
Call me a hopeless romantic, but the heart is central to our existence. From a purely biological perspective, the heart is responsible for the health and function of all other bodily systems. It works diligently to oxygenate every organ, every cell of your body. It is also what makes us human. Our hearts, when open, give and receive love freely. The best indication of the fruit a person will produce is the condition of that person's heart. There is no greater illustration of the importance of the condition of our hearts than the Parable of the Sower:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ...18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:1-8 and 8-23
The soil represents the condition of our hearts. Yes, the grace of God opens our hearts. But we also can take positive action to initiate the flow of Love and Truth in and out of our hearts. Practice these heart openers with the intention of tending the soil of your heart. Allow the breath to connect you with the rhythm of the body. The ebb and flow, give and take. And let love flow!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
-1 Corinthians 13:13
-1 Corinthians 13:13