Pose Breakdown | Anahatasana - Melted Heart

Yin Yoga PosesYoga
Written By Guest User

Good morning, friends!As a part of my grand comeback, I've decided to post a yin pose breakdown every Monday morning. My hope is that you can utilize these specifics of the postures to find more freedom and release in your practice.

Anahatasana - Melted Heart PoseAnahatasana - Melted Heart PoseGetting into the pose...Starting from table top, begin to walk the hands forward.        Keeping the hips above the knees, begin to drop the chest down toward the earth, resting your forehead on the mat.         VariationsIf you have a healthy neck and are craving more sensation, begin to reach your gaze forward and place your chin to the mat instead (top image). This should cause NO PAIN. If it does, back out of it. If dropping your chest this low is uncomfortable on the shoulders, neck, back - bring a block under the chest for support (bottom photo).           If you find the need for more release in the shoulders, elevate the pose to intensify the stretch. Placing your triceps onto two blocks and bringing the hands to prayer above the head. Once you're set up, let the head hang low.          If this pose is too much for your body all together, you can find a similar stretch in childs pose.Anahatasana - Melted Heart Pose - Childs Pose variation    BENEFITS
  • Releases commonly tight areas of the body: shoulders, neck, upper back
  • Enhances mobility of the shoulder girdle
  • Energizes: backbends are known to create a natural surge of physical and mental energy

ENERGETICS

  • Stimulates the urinary bladder meridian (spine), heart/lung lines (arms), and the spleen/stomach (chest release). Tapping into these energetic lines in the body can help to improve overall function in these associated organs.
  • Practicing this pose can lead to a sense of openness and joy. Two emotions we express from the heart region. In the same respect, it has the tendency to also guide us into an awareness of the fear and worry present in our lives. These two emotions are a major root of the physical stress we see in Anahatasana. If you experience any of these emotions while in the pose, practice a complete (3-part) breath and trust that you are releasing what you need to let go of here. You can always back out if it becomes too much.

USE CAUTION: Contraindications for this posture include...

  • Vertebral issues in the cervical spine (neck). Be sure to support yourself using props so you are careful not to strain these already sensitive joints.
  • Numbness. If you start to feel tingly, please be sure to back out of the pose until this numbing sensation ceases. You do not want to put pressure on your nerves in this way as it will damage functionality over time.

HOLD: 3-5 minutes, depending on your own personal needs.COUNTER POSTURESChilds pose (arms back)Full Body Release Yin Sequence - Childs pose     Hero/Saddle pose (seated) + add neck release if it might feel supportive in your bodyBack of Neck Stretch       

Questions? Leave a comment below and I'll be happy to follow up!Namaste

Guest User
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