Slow summer yin to balance the heat and the heart

Putting our bodies into shapes that open the front body can make us feel vulnerable, but if we can do this in an environment where we feel supported, it signals to the mind that we are safe — in much the same way that deep breathing does.

To extend the front side of the body is to step into trust and vulnerability.”

The heart meridian (or energetic pathway) begins in the heart, travels along the axillary artery to the armpit and then makes its way down the inner seam of the arm to finish at the little finger (a separate channel travels upwards to the eye, while a third branch runs downwards to the small intestine). The small intestine meridian starts in the little finger and travels up the outer seam of the arm, and from there diverges into a branch that runs up past the eye to the ear, and a branch that travels downwards into the heart, diaphragm and stomach.

Looking at chakra theory the heart and small intestine meridians intersect with the heart chakra, anahata— it has the essential role of uniting the upper and lower chakras, of connecting the spiritual and the physical. Anahata is the centre for love, joy and compassion — including self-compassion. When in balance, these qualities flow freely, while an out-of-balance heart chakra is said to manifest as fear, sadness or a lack of trust.

For these reasons summer is a potent time for a slow paced heart opening sequence so we can bring ourselves back to balance before or during the busy and often emotional festive season.

Please join us for a live class on Monday December 20, 2021 at 3:30pm or watch the replay afterwards. Even if you don’t have time for a full hour of heart opening and balancing postures perhaps try one or two for 5 mins each – child’s pose and supported fish pose are a great place to start.

Remember while practising yin, the three main principles:

1. Softness — coming into the pose at an appropriate edge, where sensation is felt but not pain or extreme discomfort);
2. Stillness — remaining in the pose without excessive moving or fidgeting; and
3. Steadiness — holding the pose for an extended period of time.

“The human body is an amazing masterpiece. With the senses we see, hear, taste, smell and touch the world, drawing its mystery inside us. With the mind, we probe the eternal structures of things. With the face, we present ourselves to the world and recognise each other. But it is the heart that makes us human. The heart is where the beauty of the human spirit comes alive.” Benedictus, States of Heart by John O’donohue