Price Match Guarantee | Free Shipping $50+ | Easy Returns l Rewards Program
Price Match Guarantee | Free Shipping $50+ | Easy Returns l Rewards Program
Heart opening yoga poses offer a wonderful counter-balance for rounded shoulders, which is a common side effect of desk jobs and computer work. Opening the upper body and chest area can improve posture by reversing forward leaning tendencies.
Energetically, heart opening yoga poses can release blockages in the heart chakra and elicit a sense of warmth and openness to love and new experiences.
Cobra pose is a heart and chest opening backbend that stretches the entire upper body. It’s a more gentle lead up to upward facing dog and can be modified to make it a more restorative asana.
To set up for cobra pose, begin by lying on your belly with your feet hips-distance apart. Place your hands alongside your ribs and press your toes into the mat to activate your legs, slightly rolling the inner thighs up to keep the lower back relaxed. Press down through your palms to gently lift your chest, rolling your shoulders down away from your ears as you extend your heart forwards. Keep the back of your neck long and your gaze straight forward.
To set up for cobra pose with a bolster, place a soft bolster, pillow or rolled blanket in the middle of your mat. Set up the pose as above, this time with the bolster in place underneath your hips. This will add a little bit of height to the asana and can provide a sense of relief in the lower back.
Dancer’s pose is an advanced standing asana that deeply stretches the chest and builds tremendous balance. This pose can be much more accessible by using a yoga strap or belt.
To set up for dancer’s pose, begin in mountain pose with your feet hips-distance and extend both arms overhead. Bring a micro-bend into your right knee and lower your left hand. Bend your left knee to bring your foot towards your glutes. Grab a hold of the outside of your left foot and find your balance. Keep your torso upright and begin to gently kick your foot into your hand raising your leg to bring your thigh bone parallel to the floor.
To set up for dancer’s pose with a strap, using a yoga strap or belt, create a loop around the arch of your left foot. Set up the pose as above, this time holding on to the strap as you extend your left leg upwards. This will essentially lengthen the length of your reach, making the pose more accessible as you build up flexibility and balance.
Check out our Sequence to Open the Heart.
By Victoria Maybee; All Rights Reserved @2022
By Victoria Maybee; All Rights Reserved @2022
