Feel the love this Valentine's Day with this yoga sequence

Valentine’s Day is almost here making February a month of love, warmth and kindness. Love itself can be expressed in different ways, but most importantly we need to be open to the idea of love ourselves. If we are not able to understand its power, we cannot accept it nor embrace it. Practicing the following asanas will help bring your awareness to your heart centre, purifying this space and bringing it into balance. When the heart chakra is balanced, we are able to give and receive love freely, allowing its powerful energy to travel outward and attract it inward. 

PURVOTTANASANA
UPWARD/REVERSE PLANK

A wonderful way to open the heart centre and release any nervous or emotional tension. This asana is also great for building strength in the arms and wrists. The journey in purvottanasana begins by first lifting and opening the hips and then as you exhale, allow your solar plexus and the heart centre to open. This gradual movement teaches us that it’s ok to take things slow when it comes to love. You don’t have to push yourself into exposing your vulnerability, it’s all a process which your body will lead you through at its own pace. (Click here to see step by step instructions for this pose)

URDHA DHANURASANA
WHEEL POSE

Providing a more dynamic heart space opening, urdha dhanurasana teaches us to surrender and let go of all that was, whilst opening our heart to all that is in the present moment. This asana requires a deep back bend, which can often help us free ourselves from all the past negative emotions or situations we have stored within and did not release. By freeing yourself from all that emotional tension and baggage, you can welcome in new beautiful experiences, trusting yourself and knowing you are worthy. (Click here to see step by step instructions for this pose)

MATSYASANA
FISH POSE

Matsyasana or fish pose brings awareness to both the throat chakra and the heart chakra, the energy centres for self-expression and love. When we open our heart and allow ourselves to love and be loved, we will also be able to express ourselves more freely in an authentic and kind way. Whilst in this pose, let yourself feel the movement of your heart space opening as well as the throat. As the chest opens, take deeper breaths, filling the lungs with new positive energy, and letting go of anything that’s needed to be released. (Click here to see step by step instructions for this pose)

CAMATKARASANA
WILD THING POSE

Camatkarasana is a powerful heart opening pose, that requires us to completely surrender and trust. Starting in plank first and engaging the abdomen, we take a deep breath and lift one arm and then take it all the way back, creating a backbend and also opening the torso completely. I always interpret the energy of this asana as accepting any insecurity we might have and opening up, trusting in the self and sending love outward. When we are ready to open up emotionally, we make space for new emotional experiences to come. (Click here to see step by step instructions for this pose)

UTTANA SHISHOSANA
EXTENDED PUPPY POSE

Whilst the top four asanas open outwards, uttana shishosana creates more of an internal focus. We open up to ourselves, to accept ourselves as we are and love ourselves unconditionally. Staying in this asana for longer, teaches us about the importance of surrendering to the idea of self-love and self-appreciation. This requires us face all that we need to face, release, accept and move on in a kind and compassionate way towards the self. (Click here to see step by step instructions for this pose)

MANTRA OF THE MONTH

Repeat this mantra to yourself this February, three times when you wake up and before you start with your day ahead. As you affirm this to yourself, picture what it feels like to have this loving attitude towards yourself. Feel what this self-love does to your physical body, to your mind and your emotional self. Remind yourself that you are worthy of love, and you have the power within you to completely love yourself for all that you are in the present moment.