Heart-Opening in Yoga
We tend to talk a lot about heart space in yoga, Anahata Chakra, or the wheel of energy associated with the heart. Anahata is located at the level of the center of the sternum, but straight back at the front of the spine. Often depicted as a single candle flame, the heart center represents the seat of the soul, the wise intuitive part of you that never dies, and always guides you to your highest or deepest good, if you allow it.
Anahata is the space of love, joy, compassion, balance and grace. It helps us to feel open to new experiences all the while feeling gratitude for wherever we are in our life's journey.
However, we can feel out of balance in this space. It is said when the energy in Anahata is deficient, we tend to feel heavy-hearted, it may be difficult to breath deeply, we may be depressed, and our chest tends to cave inwards as we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders. On the other hand, when we have excessive heart energy, we tend to give too much of ourselves away by putting others' needs above our own. We even can be focused on living vicariously through others.
Because chakras are more esoteric, what I like to call the "yoga woo-woo" of yoga, we should use discernment around claims that certain products, techniques, or people, can “balance” your chakras. However, it is true that wherever your mind and attention goes is where your energy flows. So it stands to reason if you are feeling depressed, or any other of the imbalances stated earlier, some heart opening yoga poses and deep breathing might help you to feel better.
Try resting in the following pose for 8-16 breaths, and see if you feel a shift to your mindset. It can be done with a rolled up towel instead of a yoga block, and the lift should be directly beneath the shoulder blades so you feel a gentle stretch across the chest.
A woman looking relaxed lying on the floor on her back with a yellow blanket under her ribcage
If you have more time to practice, try one of the many heart-opening classes that can be found in the Membership Portal Video Library. If you have less time, simply set a timer, close your eyes, and imagine the steadiness of a single candle flame in Anahata. Breathe deeply. You can also rub the sternum to remind yourself to relax and center.
Whatever you can do, care for your heart space so you can live a full, joy-filled life. And please remember yoga can’t fix everything, sometimes we need additional, professional help. So if happiness seems impossible for you right now, you might need to talk with a therapist. Betterhelp.com has hundreds of affordable therapists in our area or through telehealth. You don’t have to struggle alone.