Yoga Heart Openers

Open Your Heart and Draw Near to God.

Heart opening poses are some of my favorite which emphasize an opening across the chest and heart; a physical expression of an inward desire. That is, opening ourselves up to God, to His abundant love, asking Him to draw near and examine our hearts. We allow the Lord to take over and guide us how to have a heart more in line with His.

Are you in a season of scar tissue surrounding your heart? Have walls been built up around it? By practicing heart opening poses in Christian yoga, God's light penetrates right through the hardening and softens the tissue; healing you from the inside out. He will fill you with that hope and love you long for as you allow your body and mind to open up toward God's amazing grace.

1) Music. Start with a worship playlist to play while you warm up and practice yoga. Music really helps us connect deeper with God as we move with Christ as our intention.

2) Get Vulnerable. It's ok here, you are safe with the Lord. Lay down on your back with arms raised over head into cactus arms. Meditate on the verse Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord appeared to us saying I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

3) Wild Thing Pose:

Benefits

• Opens up chest, lung, and shoulder areas

• Opens the front of the legs and hip flexors

• Builds strength in shoulders and upper back

4) Camel Pose:

Benefits

• Stretches the entire front of the body, the ankles, thighs, groins, abdomen, chest and throat

• Stretches the deep hip flexors

• Strengthens back muscles

• Improves posture

• Stimulates the organs in the abdomen and neck

5) Reclining Bound Angle Pose:

Benefits

• Stimulates abdominal organs like the ovaries and prostate gland, bladder, and kidneys

• Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation

• Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees

• Helps relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, menstruation and menopause