My newest yoga DVD is Shiva Rea’s Radiant Heart Yoga. It combines a variety of lunges, backbends and twists in a flowing vinyasa practice. It is designed to stimulate and open the heart chakra to generate “love and compassion“ and “natural joy and vitality“.
The heart chakra is the fourth and middle chakra of seven and is located near the center breastbone. It represents higher consciousness and love. It is associated with those “feel good” emotions: love, joy, happiness, well-being, compassion, and generosity.
It is said that when the heart center has been fully opened, it becomes the channel for Universal Love; what the Buddhists call “the Great Compassion” and Christians call the “Christ Consciousness". In many cultures the heart is said to be the seat of the soul.
The heart governs our relationships and how we interact with others. A balanced heart chakra means expansion, freedom and growth and is expressed in acceptance of self and others, and in personal values and ethics.
I enjoy the Radiant Heart Yoga practice and find it to be both meditative and relaxing. When I finish this heart opening practice, it is a perfect and natural time to sit quietly and meditate.
With the heart open and filled with love and compassion, makes it a great time to use the simple and beautiful Buddhist Loving Kindness Meditation. You can find instructions here which are taken from the book “A Path With Heart” by Jack Kornfield.
You can also read what Nona has to say about it in her blog Everyday Yogini. Thank you Nona for reminding me of just how beautiful this meditation is. It has been a perfect closing for my Radiant Heart Yoga practice.
"May all beings be filled with loving kindness"
Gypsy Girl
No comments:
Post a Comment