Spring is almost here…
As it begins to warm up, we naturally start to feel like coming out of our hibernation phase and want to do more. As we come into spring we feel like opening up and often this is through our heart energy.
To help this process, during September we will be focusing on heart opening at InspireYW.
During the month we will have various practices in our classes to assist in opening our hearts.
In Yoga Philosophy, the heart chakra is located in the center of the chest. The Sanskrit word for the heart chakra is Anahata, which means “unhurt.”
When your heart chakra is open, you feel love and compassion. This can be as much for self as for others. A closed heart can be stuck in feelings grief, anger and hatred toward yourself and others.
Associated with the heart Chakra are:
Mantra: YAM.
Colour: Green
Element: Air (wind)
Season: Spring.
Governs: Heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands.
Emotional Imbalance: Co-dependence, manipulation, unworthiness, and an inability to trust
When Healthy: Feel compassion, joy and connection. Self-love, generosity and kindness.
Posture of the week…
Our first heart opener is a bridge pose.
To prepare for bridge pose, lie on your back, bend both knees and place the feet flat on the floor wherever they are comfortable.
On an inhalation, raise the arms and the hips allowing the arms to rest wherever they are comfortable on the floor behind you.
Exhale, gradually lower the spine and arms at the same time, coming back to your starting position.
Repeat 5 times.
After this, press the feet into the floor, press the hands into the floor and gradually lift the hips up, rolling the spine off the floor.
Hold for 5 – 10 breaths, the gradually roll back down.
See you on the mat.
