We all want to feel fully alive and involved in life. If you are feeling disconnected and down then your heart chakra maybe be blocked. In this article, I will share 6 easy heart chakra yoga poses for opening your heart. I have used these at a time when I was going through a rough patch in my life. These poses will help you to feel more love, joy and compassion in your life. They will also reconnect you with your inner wisdom.
Heart Chakra Yoga Poses at a Glance
What is the Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, or Anahata in Sanskrit, is the fourth energy center in your body. It is located in the middle of your chest, near your heart. It is associated with the color green and the element of air.
The heart chakra is responsible for your feelings of love, empathy, kindness, and forgiveness. It also helps you to balance your emotions and express them in healthy ways.
This is How You Know Your Heart Chakra is Open
When your heart chakra is open:
Feelings: You feel happy, peaceful, and compassionate.
Relationships: You are able to give and receive love freely, without fear or attachment.
Forgiveness: You are able to forgive yourself and others easily, without holding grudges.
Acceptance: You are able to accept yourself and others as they are, without judgment or criticism.
Symptoms of A Blocked Heart Chakra
When your heart chakra is blocked:
Feelings: You experience feelings of sadness, anger, bitterness or loneliness.
Trust: You have trouble trusting or opening up to others.
Shame: You feel unworthy or unlovable.
Physical issues: You may also suffer from physical issues such as heart problems, lung diseases, or immune disorders.
How to Open Your Heart Chakra With Yoga Poses
Fortunately, there are many ways to open your heart chakra and restore its balance. One of them is practicing yoga.
Neither a blocked or an overactive heart chakra is good. When it is overactive you will not have boundaries and you will put others needs above your own. This is why yoga is so beneficial, it not just opens the heart chakra it also balances it.
Yoga opens your heart chakra because it stretches, strengthens, and expands your chest area. It also helps you to breathe deeply and release tension from your body and mind.
Before you start practicing these poses, make sure you warm up properly and listen to your body. Do not force yourself into any position that causes pain or discomfort. Modify or skip any pose that does not suit you.
Ok, lets look at the heart chakra yoga poses….
1. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
One of the best heart chakra yoga poses is the Cobra pose because it stretches your chest, shoulders, and abdomen. It also stimulates your thymus gland, which is related to your immune system.
How To do this Heart Chakra Yoga Pose:
– Lie on your stomach with your legs together and your toes pointing back.
– Place your hands under your shoulders with your elbows close to your body.
– Inhale and lift your head, chest, and upper back off the floor by straightening your arms.
– Keep your hips and legs on the floor and look up at the ceiling.
– Hold this pose for a few breaths and then exhale and lower yourself down.
– Repeat a few times.
2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Bridge pose is another great pose for opening your heart chakra because it opens up your chest, throat, and spine. It also improves blood circulation to your heart.
How To Do This Heart Chakra Yoga Pose:
– Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
– Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing down.
– Inhale and lift your hips and lower back off the floor by pressing into your feet.
– Interlace your fingers under your hips and roll your shoulders under.
– Keep your chin away from your chest and look at the ceiling.
– Hold this pose for a few breaths and then exhale and lower yourself down.
– Repeat a few times.
3. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Camel pose is a powerful pose for opening your heart chakra because it stretches your chest, abdomen, and throat. It also stimulates your thyroid gland, which regulates your metabolism.
How To Do This Heart Chakra Yoga Pose:
– Kneel on the floor with your knees hip-width apart and your toes tucked under.
– Place your hands on your lower back with your fingers pointing down.
– Inhale and lift your chest and look up at the ceiling.
– Exhale and bend backward, reaching for your heels with your hands.
– Keep your hips over your knees and your head relaxed.
– Hold this pose for a few breaths and then inhale and come back up.
– Repeat a few times.
4. Warrior I Pose with Heart Opening Twist (Virabhadrasana I with Parivrtta Anahatasana)
Warrior I pose with heart opening twist is a dynamic pose that combines strength and flexibility. It opens up your chest, shoulders, and hips. It also helps you to balance your emotions and express them in healthy ways.
How To Do This Pose:
– Stand on the floor with your feet together and your arms by your sides.
– Step your right foot back about four feet and turn it out 45 degrees.
– Bend your left knee over your left ankle, left foot forward. Keep your left leg bent and your right leg straight.
– Raise your arms over your head and join your palms together.
– Inhale and twist your torso to the left, bringing your right elbow to the outside of your left knee.
– Press your palms together and look up at the ceiling.
– Hold this pose for a few breaths and then inhale and come back to center.
– Switch sides and repeat.
5. Upward Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Upward facing dog pose is a simple yet effective pose for opening your heart chakra. It opens up your chest, shoulders, and abdomen. It also strengthens your arms, wrists, and spine. You can combine this with the downward facing dog to make one yoga flow that stretches your whole body.
How To Do This Heart Chakra Yoga Pose:
– Lie on your stomach with your legs together and your toes pointing back.
– Place your hands under your shoulders with your elbows close to your body.
– Inhale and lift your head, chest, and legs off the floor by straightening your arms.
– Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears and look straight ahead. feel your upper chest stretch.
– Hold this pose for a few breaths and then exhale and lower yourself down.
– Repeat a few times.
6. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
The bow pose is another great heart chakra yoga pose. More challenging for beginners.
Here is how to do the bow pose:
· Lie on your stomach with your legs hip-width apart and your arms by your sides.
· Bend your knees and reach back to grab your ankles or feet from the outside. If this is too hard, you can use a strap around your ankles or feet and hold the ends of the strap.
· Press your tailbone down and engage your core to protect your lower back.
· Inhale and kick your feet into your hands, lifting your chest and thighs off the floor. Keep your neck long and gaze forward or slightly up.
· Breathe deeply and feel the stretch in your chest, shoulders, and back. Imagine opening your heart to the sky.
· Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, then exhale and release the pose. Relax on the floor for a few moments.
Heart Chakra Yoga Poses : Conclusion
The heart chakra or Anahata chakra is the fourth chakra and is connected to your emotional wellbeing.
When you have a balanced heart chakra you give and receive love in a healthy free way. You have a natural joy and your heart wisdom guides you to make harmonious decisions.
You can practice these heart chakra yoga poses individually or as part of a yoga flow sequence. Or try them with a mudra like the Hridraya Mudra – the Fearless Heart Mudra. If you are new to yoga join a yoga class or ask a yoga teacher to teach you put these poses in a sequence.
Do them regularly or even through the day to reconnect with your heart wisdom when you feel disconnected from yourself.