Yoga is more than just a physical practice—it’s a journey of self-discovery, healing, and connection. One of the most powerful ways to tap into this experience is through heart-opening poses. These postures, which emphasize spinal extension and chest expansion, do more than improve flexibility; they help release tension, invite vulnerability, and cultivate a deep sense of emotional openness.

Let’s explore how these beautiful postures can elevate your practice and open you up to new possibilities.

Aligning Your Proud Warrior Pose…

1. Press into the heal of your back foot for grounding.

2. Interlace your fingers and press your knuckles towards the mat to create your bind.

3. Gently squeeze your shoulders back and down your spine away from your ears.

4. Drishti or your focal point can be in front of you or up towards the ceiling. Find what’s comfortable for you.

5. Heart and chest expand forward towards the front of your mat.

6. Front knee stacks directly over your ankle for a 90 degree angle.

Bound Bridge Pose is a powerful variation of the classic Bridge Pose, deepening both strength and openness. By clasping the hands beneath the body, this posture enhances shoulder mobility, lifts the heart, and strengthens the legs and core. It’s a beautiful blend of grounding and expansion, creating space in the chest while building stability in the lower body.

As you press into your feet and lift through your heart, feel the gentle balance of effort and ease. This pose invites you to open up, breathe deeply, and embrace the support beneath you—both on the mat and in life.

Aligning Your Bound Bridge Pose…

1. Shoulders and head connected to your mat.

2. Head in line with long and straight spine.

3. Hips square and pushing up towards the sky, navel drawn in to gently engage core. 

4. 90 Degree angle in legs, knees stacked directly over ankles.

5. Feet are grounded hips distance apart, all toes point forward. 

6. Shoulders both rolled underneath the chest, interlace your hands and low back for bind, keep your bind connected to the mat. 

Wheel Pose is the ultimate heart-opening backbend, inviting strength, flexibility, and courage onto the mat. This powerful posture energizes the entire body, building resilience in the legs, arms, and core while deeply expanding the chest and shoulders. By lifting into this full-body expression, you awaken a sense of freedom, vitality, and empowerment.

As you press up into Wheel Pose, feel the openness in your heart and the strength in your foundation. This pose is a reminder that growth comes from both effort and surrender—trust yourself, breathe deeply, and embrace the limitless potential within you.

Aligning Your Wheel Pose…

1. Press firmly into hands to grounding and lift.

2. Elbows in line with your shoulders, press sternum towards the back of your mat.

3. Lengthen through your lower back, press up through your belly.

4. Allow thighs to rotate inwards and down.

5. Knees should stay hips distance apart.

6. Arms straight.

If you have a specific pose you would like us to feature in the future, let us know!

Join us for a class online or in-studio! Namaste.

Explore More Yoga Poses!