Open Up to Love

Heart opening postures to welcome love

Talks of the heart, crimson hues and confectionary scents fill our senses this loving month of February. When we discuss love we often speak about compassion, kindness, intimacay and metaphorically “opening” up to love. We tend to think of love only in terms of emotions but love encompasses both an emotional and physical state.

When we look at kinesics (the scientific study of body language) we accept that if a person we’re speaking to has crossed their arms, they are non-verbally telling us that they are not interested in what we’re saying. They have physically and emotionally turned off. They may not even be aware of this gesture but one keen to body language cues would take the hint and stop talking. In the same respect, when we talk about “opening up” to love, we can become receptive to it physically as well.

Consider what Rumi said, “Love is your very existence.” Imagine the almost inexplainable feeling of love exuding from our very pores. This love resides underneath the cage of our chest. It magnifies the palpations of our hearts. It is not just emotional but very physical.

Now, yoga itself is an act of love. Every posture has benefits and opens up channels of the body that may be blocked. This philosophy is referred to as unlocking the chakras. Imagine your body as a network of tunnels. When any of those tunnels are blocked by physical, emotional or spiritual congestion, energy or chi cannot flow. This causes an imbalance in our lives and in the case of love, it can close us off to the giving and receiving of a most exquisite human experience. Let’s explore 3 simple yoga postures that can physically unlock our hearts; the seat of love. Additionally, pair these postures with reading life saving heart health info. in Dr. Shaheen’s article here.

Camel pose or Ustrasana is the most heart opening of any posture. In this posture, not only is our chest open wide but our bellies and pelvis are reaching out. It’s important to note that this posture is not about reaching the feet and rather opening the chest, belly and pelvis. Camel pose, if done correctly opens up 5 total chakras or energy points in the body. Camel pose or Ustrasana is the most heart opening of any posture.

1. Start by kneeling on the floor or cushioned surface (make this comfortable on your knees). Curl toes for support. Inhale slowly.
2. Guide shoulders down and back (opening the chest). Reach arms down, by sides of body.
3. Elongate neck, imagine a strand of hair being pulled from the top of your head to the ceiling.
4. Exhale and gently lean back; don’t collapse the chest. Lean back with shoulders. Pull hips forward and open.
5. Reach for calves or heals of feet. A stack of books or yoga blocks placed next to both feet can be used if reaching heels is difficult.
6. Tilt head, chin or neck up slightly without strain. Hold posture for 3-4 breaths.
7. Breathe and open up to LOVE. Go into child’s pose to counter this posture as back bends can be put some stress on the spine.

In Upward facing dog or Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, we are shining our hearts forward. The energy from the rest of the body is pushing the chest open. It is a beckoning of love saying, “I am here and open.”

1. Start by lying on belly. Push tops of feet and legs down.
2. Place hands next to breasts.
3. Roll shoulders back, inhale deeply and push ground away with hands. Focus on something straight ahead.
4. Attempt to lift upper thighs off of the ground. Stay in posture for 2-3 breaths and lay back down.
5. Go into child’s pose to counter this posture as well.

While a fierce warrior postures may seem counterintuitive to opening up to love, one can actually be a warrior for love and peace and not necessirily death and destruction. In Warrior I or Virabhadrasana we are projecting our determination to find love. This posture engages the entire body and creates a heating energy. It’s the kind of energy that raises your heart rate. Energy is pulled up towards the heart and crown chakra, clearing any blocks one may be holding.

1. Stand tall, feet planted firmly to the ground, inhale.
2. Exhale and step one foot forward about 4 feet (not splits, just comfortable stretch).
3. Turn back foot at 45 degrees. Bend front knee.
4. Activate legs by holding firm in stance. Center hips and face forward.
5. Inhale and raise both arms up and above head. Don’t shrug shoulders and imagine holding a beach ball above head.
6. Gaze is straight ahead, chest is open. Brining arms back down the body and interlocking fingers behind hips can further open the ribcage and illuminate the heart chakra.

While some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, most people keep their hearts cocooned deep inside their chests. Whether this is due to heart break, an inability to commit to others or fear of feeling exposed, many of us miss out on the incredible experience of love. We can start to pull back the curtains on our hearts by starting a practice of waking up the tunnels or chakras in our bodies and see its manifestation in our outward emotions. This Valentine’s day, explore the idea of opening up to love; just one tiny pore or arms wide open!