Your Heart Chakra is all about love. Love of others, and love of yourself. It is the chakra that allows you to feel the sense of joy and connection experienced through close relationships that thrive on acceptance and understanding.
The Sanskrit word for Heart Chakra is Anahata which loosely translates to, the sound that is heard without two things striking. There is no need for conflict. There is no need for clashing. You can move with the flow of nature, just as the air moves around you.
The element associated with this chakra is the element of air. It allows us to breathe in prana and move in harmony with the space around us, energizing and stabilizing us to give and receive love, with acceptance and grace.
Specific yoga poses help to balance and energize your Heart Chakra. Today we learn how to do Camel Pose to open our hearts.
Day 10 – Camel Pose to Open our Heart Chakra
by Alek Parkinson, Christi Silbaugh, and Brit Labonte
Anahata is your fourth chakra. It is located near the center of the breastbone or sternum. This chakra represents higher consciousness and love. The heart chakra is associated with the physical body systems of the heart, thymus gland, lower lungs, and circulatory system.
The Heart Chakra acts as the balance point for all the chakras. It governs our relationships and how we interact with others. A balanced heart chakra is expressed in acceptance of self and others, personal values, and ethics, following one’s unique direction in life.
Camel Pose is a great heart opener. It increases personal awareness, strengthens the arms, creates a full front body stretch, and helps with the respiratory system.
Step out into the park during lunch hour to open your heart centre and experience some joy in your busy work day.
How To Practice Camel Pose:
1) Begin by kneeling upright with your knees hip-distance apart.
2) Rotate your thighs inward and press your shins and the tops of your feet to the floor.
3) Do not squeeze your buttocks.
4) Rest your hands on the back of your pelvis, with your fingers pointing to the floor.
5) Lengthen your tailbone down toward the floor and widen the back of your pelvis.
6) Lean back with your chin slightly tucked toward your chest. Beginners can stay here, keeping your hands on your back pelvis.
7) If you are comfortable here, you can take the pose a bit deeper. Reach back and hold onto each heel, pushing your chest up toward the sky.
8) Open your heart completely and allow the energy of love to fill it.
As with any exercise program you must know yourself and understand your own health before attempting.
Photo Credits in order:
Feature Image: Camel Pose on Rocks: Chelsea Willett @frankielove954
Camel Pose Variation on a Bridge: Tahnee Cattaneo @tahcat1204
Camel Pose by white picket fence: Christi Silbaugh @momwhatsfordinner
Camel Pose in the park during lunch: Bill Klausmeyer @bklausmeyer
Camel Pose in the grass: Alek Parkinson @alekmp7
