Your Fourth Chakra | Healthy Heart Series Part I
MY YOGA GUIDE FOR HEART HEALTH
Hi and happy chinese new year to all of my yogis and wellness seekers! I hope you have been working on your 2018 health goals and staying true to yourself. I have been in the middle of a huge program at work and focusing heavily on career development over the last several months. But I always make time for my health and I love to share my world with you guys, in hopes that it will always inspire and improve your overall wellness.
Now that we are in february, I have been working on a project centered on the heart chakra and overall heart health. February is more than celebrating valentine's day and romantic gestures. It's about loving ourselves too!
The heart chakra, or anahata, is the fourth chakra. It is centered in the middle of your chest and represents love for oneself and others, transformation, peace, and compassion. This chakra is a green color and is drawn as a circle with 12 petals.
SPIRITUAL FOCUS
As a yoga instructor, I try to incorporate poses that really target the cardiovascular system and get the heart pumping. But I also want to encourage you to set intention during each practice. As you practice these poses, make room to open your heart chakra. Focus on the following:
Finding the beauty in the little things, in nature
Developing an unconditional love for yourself
Both earthly and spiritual connection to the self
Ego awareness
Giving love through kindness
BALANCING STICK POSE | TULADANDASANA
HOW TO:
1. To start balancing stick pose, lift up out of the waist, tightening the upper body, spine straight.
2. Take a step forward with your left foot, then bring the body forward, remaining parallel to the ground.
3. Try to bring the right hip down, stretching your arms and leg in opposite directions. Repeat on the other side.
BENEFITS:
It brings the blood straight to the heart, clearing out the veins and arteries.
HALF BOW POSE | ARDHA DHANURASANA
HOW TO:
1. Start on all fours. Ground the four points of your hands to find your balance.
2. Lifting the right leg up, squeeze the glute to help you get there. Reach your left hand behind you to grab the right foot.
3. Really kick the right foot up, relaxing your left shoulder. Pause here to breath. Then exhale as you release the foot gently. Repeat on the other side.
BENEFITS:
Improves your balance, great chest and lung opener. Good for anxiety. *be sure to take care of your spine when practicing this pose.
AWKWARD POSE | UTKATASANA
HOW TO:
1. Begin the pose standing up with your hands at a 90 degree angle. Feet should be shoulder width apart.
2. Lift your heels off the ground, balancing on your toes. Slowly "Sit into the chair" still balancing on your toes.
3. Keep your ankels straight, lift up higher on the toes. Be sure to lift the chest, shoulders stacked over the hips.
BENEFITS:
Increases the cariovascular workout. Improves core strength while toning the leg muscles.
TRIANGLE POSE | TRIKONASANA
HOW TO:
1. Taking a huge step forward, feet at a 90 degree angle, ground all four points of your feet into the mat.
2. Shift your upper body forward, revolving the left arm down, right arm up. Keep the hips forward, look up to the ceiling.
3. Keep the left hand in front of left foot. Remember to suck in the belly. Exhale as you exit the pose. Repeat the pose on the on right side.
BENEFITS:
Great for spine alignment, creates greater blood flow. Burns calories! Also improves digestion and helps stretch the lower body.
