California Mid-State Fair Series PART II: Yoga Movement for the Fair - HEART CHAKRA

Part II of HEART CHAKRA: Asana

While it's obvious this chakra is related to matters of the heart, it is also about taking risks, being brave and opening up. 

Many yoga postures are referred to as "heart openers" and are focused on opening the front of the chest space.  Today we'd like to encourage a more calming posture, opening (expanding) the backside of the heart space instead.

Uttanasana, otherwise referred to as, "Standing Forward Bend".

Starting from Tadasana (yesterday's standing pose!), place the hands on the hips and fold over from the hip joints, not the waist!  You may find your hamstrings tight and keeping you from folding over as far as this man in the photo above; that's ok!  Right now we aren't focusing on the hamstrings but opening the upper back in this hanging position.  

Lengthen the front torso as you fold - from pelvis to sternum imagine the torso growing longer.  

If possible, rest your palms on the floor, or grab a hold of your ankles.  If that's not an option for you at this time, try holding on to your elbows and hanging in that way.

Activity press your heels into the floor.  Aim the hamstrings toward the back wall behind you, lifting the hips up towards the sky.

From Yoga Journal: 

With each inhalation in the pose, lift and lengthen the front torso just slightly; with each exhalation release a little more fully into the forward bend. In this way the torso oscillates almost imperceptibly with the breath.

Let your head hang from the root of the neck, which is deep in the upper back, between the shoulder blades.

This space between the shoulder blades, referenced above, is located in your heart chakra.  

Allow the lengthening release of the neck from this space between the shoulder blades.  Feel the expansion on the backside of your heart space.  

Breathe!

When you're ready to come up, place your hands on your hips again.  Press the feet down into the floor and come up again from the hips, instead of the upper back.  You may wish to bend your knees as you're doing this for support.

How about some light tapping on your chest, like Tarzan, ready to be brave!

Fearless Choices for the Fair Today

Go watch the brave animals and humans alike at the Rodeo!

Starting at 8am at the Hearst Equestrian Center

Take a risk by entering a contest for tickets to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium

Noon in the Quad

What about viewing the Strongest Man & Woman competition?

4pm on the Headliner Stage

Carnival Rides

Free Live Music

Adventurous Food

The fair is a great place to be risky and brave.