The heart chakra helps you to grow a loving connection to yourself and others. The fourth chakra, or Anahata in Sanskrit, radiates the energy of unconditional love, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and kindness. Its color is green, and it is located in the middle of the chest.
When your heart chakra is open and healthy, you have a sense of oneness and transcend the duality of the physical world.
The heart center acts as a bridge between the ego (3 lower chakras) and a spirit (3 upper chakras).
So, what are the healing benefits of yoga for your heart chakra?
Adding yoga to your everyday routine is a perfect way to loosen up and align all chakras of your body.
There are many yoga poses (asanas), which can be used for individual chakras, but please keep in mind that ultimately they will provide many health benefits for your body as a whole.
Yoga is a great way to work with your heart chakra, as certain physical poses (asanas) will allow you to open up your chest and shoulders.
Yoga also improves the oxygen circulation in your body (the primary element of the heart chakra is air), as most of the yoga poses involve working with your breath.
A yoga practice that emphasizes opening the heart center and chest will help you to activate this chakra.
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Some of my favorite yoga poses for the fourth chakra are:
Standing Backbend | Anuvittasana
Let’s start with introducing this beginner-friendly yoga pose, which can be used as a foundation for other, more complicated backbend postures.
Standing Backbend is known to be a warm-up yoga posture to prepare the body for more challenging yoga poses. Anuvittasana allows the body to increase energy and it is normally used in flow sequences of yoga.
Standing Backbend is excellent for opening up the front of the body and it enhances the strength of the lower back.
Any backbend teaches the mind to trust and let go of fear, anxiety and stress.
Camel Pose | Ustrasana
Camel Pose is an easier and more accessible version of the Wheel Pose. It stretches the entire front body, quadriceps and opens up the chest and shoulders.
Camel Pose also helps you to develop a better posture as it increases spinal flexibility. It allows you to achieve a deep spinal stretch without having to use your arms to hold your body weight.
Camel Pose opens up your body and mind. It allows you to connect directly to the energy of your heart chakra.
If it feels safe for you, drop the head back, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Feel your attention shifting from mild physical and mental discomfort to intensive emotional purification of your heart.
Wheel Pose | Urdhva Dhanurasana
Wheel Pose is a powerful yoga pose that requires a lot of strength and determination. This posture requires the utmost effort of both body and mind to lift yourself into an arch.
It increases the mobility of the spine, opens the chest and shoulders.
The key to this pose is to use your legs to pull your pelvis forward towards your feet.
Until you are flexible enough to do Urdhva Dhanurasana without straining, don’t push yourself into this pose.
Remember to bend back only as much as you naturally can. Treat this yoga posture with the respect it deserves at all times.
Cobra Pose | Bhujangasana
Cobra Pose is often performed during a yoga flow sequence. It promotes spine mobility, strengthens the muscles of the back, and it opens up the front of the body.
Cobra is an energizing backbend, which decreases tension and anxiety. It also strengthens and shapes the shoulders, belly, and buttocks, helping to relieve sciatica discomfort.
Cobra performed with bent arms is often referred to as Baby (Low) Cobra. You can start with this variation before you move to full Cobra Pose.
Lord of The Dance | Natarajasana
Lord of The Dance is one of the most dynamic standing backbends of yoga. You must be incredibly agile and able to move your body in such a manner that your arm can reach over your back with your hand to support your foot.
It is a stunning, heart-opening backbend that tests the limits and versatility of your legs and teaches you to focus and concentrate. Each person’s versatility dictates the effectiveness of this pose.
Your Favorite Yoga Poses for Heart Chakra
Now, over to you.
- Have you tried any the poses mentioned in this post?
- Did I forget to mention some of your favorites?
Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below!
Yoga Asanas For Seven Chakras
If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn how to balance and heal your other chakras with yoga, feel free to check out one of the posts below:
Click here to read this complete article.
