You’ve undoubtedly heard the term “heart opener” if you’ve attended even a few yoga sessions. Although this word is frequently used to describe back-bending, chest-opening poses, it truly encompasses much more. Heart opening in yoga may be achieved by posture, breath, or meditation, and has an impact on not just the physical structure of the chest, but also our energy and emotional capability. So, why do we practice yoga so much in that space, and how does it influence our lives off the mat? Continue to read!
Yoga for Unveiling your Heart; How it Works
We spend a lot of time in yoga thinking about how our physical movements, postures, and breath impact our interior landscape, affecting our ideas, emotions, and overall state of being. We also think about our energy self, with chakras being one of the most prominent ways.
Many of us create a barrier, or a type of armor, around our heart-space as a result of years of incorrect or unsupported physical posture, as well as emotionally demanding or destructive events. Our emotional capacity to relate to one another, to open up and exhibit our actual selves, to love, feel compassion, empathy and appreciation towards ourselves and others is likewise limited by this physical and energy wall.
Heart Openers for Your Yoga Practice
The most common type of heart-opening yoga position is backbends. They assist to strengthen the muscles in your back while also extending the muscles in your chest, shoulders, belly, and other areas of your body.
Yoga Backbends Have Physical Benefits
- Muscles in your back are strengthened.
- Stretches the chest and shoulder muscles.
- Neck and shoulder strain is relieved.
- Increases the spine’s mobility and flexibility.
Heart Opening Yoga Postures Have Emotional Benefits
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Provides depression alleviation.
- Reduces feelings of isolation
- Enhances sense of self-assurance
- Openness to love is increased.
Because they make us feel vulnerable, heart openers provide a great deal of emotional healing. Our natural instinct is to hunch our shoulders and bend our heads.
Let’s look at 5 yoga postures to expand your heart space now that you know why backbends and heart openers are so good for your mind and body.
Yoga Poses for Heart Opening
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
This mild backbend has several mental and physical advantages. Cobra position stretches and strengthens your buttocks and back muscles while stretching and strengthening your shoulders, chest, and abdominals. As a result, it improves spinal flexibility as well. Furthermore, the cobra position has been shown to help alleviate tiredness and tension.
Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
This relaxing yoga posture can help you relax while extending the muscles in your stomach, front of your neck, and even between your ribs. The fish position develops muscles in the upper back and behind the neck at the same time.
Cow Pose (Bitilasana)
This position is ideal for novices, but it may help any practitioner. Cow position opens the chest and strengthens the muscles at the back of the heart while warming up the spine.
Sphinx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana)
This stress-relieving backbend softly opens the heart area while reducing tension. Sphinx position is one of the more approachable backbends, yet it still provides many of the same advantages as other backbends.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
This all-in-one position may either invigorate you or put you in a profound state of relaxation. Bridge position can help to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Furthermore, this restorative position might aid sleep.
