Heart Opener Restorative Pose

Heart opener restorative pose – Also known as “Yes, please!” We spend so much time with our shoulders rounded forward. Working on a computer, playing with our phones, driving… Today’s practice helps counter poor posture habits and relieves tension in the upper body. Take the time to set yourself up, and then allow yourself to rest in this restorative pose for at least 5 minutes. You’re going to love today’s practice!

Benefits: Relieves headaches, neck and upper back pain. Stretches the front of the body, opens the chest and fronts of shoulders. Calms the mind, resets the nervous system, lowers the heart rate and stabilizes blood pressure.

How to: (1) Create a bolster for yourself using a couple of yoga blankets or some thick towels. You want the structure to be about 4” high, and long enough to support your body from the mid-back to the top of your head.

(2) Sit at one end of the stack with the ends of the blankets a few inches away from your tailbone.

(3) Recline back over the blankets, allowing the end of the blanket stack to be at your waistline. Your low back and tailbone should drape off of the stack and down toward the floor. You can keep your knees bent with feet on the floor, or extend the legs flat. Tuck the shoulders down and under to lift the heart, draw the chin toward the chest to create length in the back of the neck. Rest your hands on the ribs, or away from the body with palms rolled up to the ceiling. Close your eyes and follow your breath. Notice the rise and expansion of your torso on the inhale, release and relaxation on the exhale.

Mantra: “I let my heart lead me.”