4 Ways to Work with Heart Energy (Dimensions of the Heart in Yoga – Part 2)

by Charlotte Bradley on June 24, 2009

“When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts.” – Lao Tzu, 6th century B.C.

Pranamaya is our energy body. The heart center has its own energy that we will examine using yogic, Chinese medicine and western models.

According to yoga, energy allows us to be, to live and to act in the world (from YinSights; Bernie Clark). The energetic heart is expressed as the Heart Chakra, Anahata. If the heart chakra is closed, our core being is affected. Breathing is shallow, metabolism slows down and we feel physically drained. We pull into ourselves, withdrawing and becoming closed to the world. If the heart chakra is too open, we tend to give away all of our time and energy. We become so focused on others that we can lose ourselves.

In Chinese medicine, the heart meridian is one of the major channels that conduct energy throughout the body. Blockages in the heart meridian may result in diseases of the heart and chest including pain, insomnia and mental problems.

Western science has discovered that the magnetic field produced by the heart is more than 5000 times greater in strength than the field generated by the brain. The heart’s electromagnetic field can be detected and measured several feet away from the body, in all directions using a sensitive device (SQUID-based magnetometer).

When people touch or are close to one another, one person’s heart signal can affect the other’s brain rhythms. This suggests that the cardiac field is an important carrier of information. Studies by the Heart Math Institute propose that the cardio-electromagnetic field may be a little known source of information exchange between people and that this exchange is influenced by our emotions. (Source: http://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart-head-heart-interactions.html)

Yogic Tools to Affect the Energetic Heart

1. Asana

Practice asanas that open the heart energy, such as backbends.

10-Minute Chakra Focus Practice for Anahata: Back Bending
(Source: Chakra Yoga; Alan Finger)

Upward-Facing Cat/Downward-Facing Cat Pose (Marjariasana) – Inhale/ Exhale 5 times
Sphinx Pose (Ardha Bhujangasana)
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Hare Pose (Hasangasana)

Heart Chakra Sequence

2. Pranayama

Nischala Devi Joy uses Nadi Shodan and the 3-Part Breath in her program for heart healing. Nischala teaches that, “The surrendering effects of relaxing the physical body are enhanced by accessing the energy body”. (The Healing Path of Yoga; Nischala Devi Joy)

3. Meditation

Meditate on the heart chakra by focusing on anahata, chanting the seed sound Yam, and visualizing the mandala.

So Ham mantra: The heart is thought to be the source of So Ham. The syllables arise from the heart, are sounded on the breath and again, subside in the heart.

4. Heart Tapping

Stimulates the thymus gland to help build immunity and opens the heart chakra. Standing with your feet hip width apart, use the finger tips to rapidly tap the center of your upper chest. Vigorously tap the area for one to three minutes.

Dimensions of the Heart in Yoga
Part 1: The Physical Heart
Part 2: The Energetic Heart

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Prasarita Padottanasana: Can You Find Both Stability and Calm in this One Yoga Posture?

by Charlotte Bradley on June 20, 2009

Prasarita Padottanasana (pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-anna) or Standing Wide Legged Forward Bend, combines the benefits of a standing posture – it energizes and strengthens – with the calming effects of a forward bend. This has always been a posture that I look forward to!

Prasarita Padottanasana stretches, releases tension and gives you a new view of your environment. It may be a difficult pose at first especially if you have tight hamstrings. Eventually, however, Standing Wide Legged Forward Bend becomes more effortless even soothing and calming. It is often prescribed for mild depression or anxiety. Try practicing this pose for a short time each day over the next week. I am sure it will leave you smiling.

Benefits

  • Stretches your hamstrings 
  • Stretches the lower back
  • Calms your mind
  • Builds strength in your legs

 

Wide Leg Forward Bend

Technique

Start with your legs wide apart, feet parallel and toes turned slightly in to protect your knees. As you inhale, expand your heart and lungs arching your back gently and either 1) bring your hands to your hips or 2) interlace your fingers behind you with palms facing each other.

Keeping your legs strong begin to fold forward at the hips. Allow your heart to lead. If your hands are at your hip allow them to come to the floor in front of you shoulder width apart between your feet – keep the hands pulled in towards each other. If your hands are interlaced, stretch the arms away from your back and overhead.

Adjust your body so that you feel your hips over your ankles and your weight intends slightly forward in to your toes.

Always be mindful of your back. If you feel discomfort, bed your knees slightly and go only as far as is comfortable. You can also place your palms against a wall or use a chair for your forearms.  If your head touches the ground, it can bear some of the weight as comfortable. You can also use a block, folded blanket or bolster to rest your head.

Enjoy five full breaths or more.

To come out of the pose, press into your feet, engaging your leg muscles and inhale as you twist your torso upright. Exhale completely, let your eyes soften and smile.

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Yoga Stick Figures for Your Practice Sequences

June 15, 2009

Throughout my yoga teacher training, I experimented with different ways of creating notes so that I could keep track of where I was as I taught classes. I definitely needed something to jog my memory and at the suggestion of my instructor and a friend (thanks Mo and Kristen!), I decided to try yoga stick [...]

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Dimensions of the Heart in Yoga – Part 1: The Physical Heart

June 9, 2009

Our heart keeps our physical body alive. It pumps blood throughout the entire body carrying oxygen to each cell. Essential – yes! However, you only need to look at the language of the heart; heartache, heartbreak, kind hearted, warm hearted, heartthrob, heartfelt, to see that intuitively we know the heart is [...]

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Yoga with a Twist

May 21, 2009

Although though we often joke about twisting ourselves into crazy “Pretzel-like” yoga poses, twists done with proper care and alignment are in fact extremely beneficial. Twists energize you if you’re feeling tired or conversely, can help you find calm. Twists wring tension from the body. The twisting action helps the muscles to relax and [...]

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Try Breath of Joy to Energize, Uplift and Cleanse

May 12, 2009

The Breath of Joy is a warming and energizing yoga breathing practice (pranayama). It uses rhythmic body motion, coordinating arm movements with breath, in order to facilitate deep breathing. The motion of the arms helps to fill all areas of the lungs (lower, middle and upper) with fresh oxygen. This charges the entire body with [...]

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A Spine-Tingling Sensation from Half Forward Fold

May 12, 2009

Half Forward Fold has many names. In the Sanskrit language of yoga it is called, Ardha Uttanasana (AR-dah oot-ta-NAH-sa-nah). The visual image it creates has evoked many other nomikers: half forward bend, flat back and standing table top.

Despite its variety of tags, Ardha Uttanasana is the same yoga pose that will lengthen the spine and [...]

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Make your Next Walk a Meditation

May 8, 2009

What if each step you took brought you closer to a place of peace and balance? This past weekend, my yoga teacher training group tried a walking meditation. I enjoy going for walks and have always found walking to be meditative, however have never focused on walking as the meditation itself.

What is [...]

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Feel the Warmth and Energy of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara)

May 7, 2009

If you’ve practiced much yoga at all, you’ve no doubt performed countless Sun Salutations. The series comes from the Hatha Yoga tradition, but now many styles of yoga have adopted it with their own variations. It’s kind of a chilly and rainy day today, so why do I feel the urge to practice Sun Salutation? [...]

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Majestic Mountain Pose

May 5, 2009

Most people view standing up straight as a given, or at least the standing part; however, enjoying the full length of your body as an asana on its own is a relatively over-looked yoga position.

Tadasana (ta-DAH-sa-nah), or Mountain pose contributes to vestibular health and focuses on restoring balance to the body. Practising Tadasana facilitates good [...]

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