Heart-Opening Yoga Classes to Practice This Valentine’s Day
When you think about Valentine’s Day, you might call to mind red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and fancy dinner reservations. There’s no shame in fully embracing the romantic stuff (we love a good chocolate-rich dessert), but whether you’re celebrating this V-day with a partner or solo, resolve to make more room for self-care this Valentine’s Day. Why not show yourself some love with a heart-opening yoga or meditation class that will leave you feeling lighter and more aligned?
We’ve rounded up a few of our heart-opening favorites below to activate your heart chakra — the center of your compassion, joy, empathy, and unconditional love.
Self- Love: Meditation for Self-Care
with Phyllicia Bonanno
We all are guilty of burning the candle at both ends and neglecting our own needs sometimes, putting everyone else before ourselves. We hype up our friends, yet still engage in negative self-talk. In this healing self-love and self-care meditation, you’ll focus on reconnecting to the person you need to love the most: yourself. Step away for 15 blissful minutes and feel the infinite love within you.
Ahimsa: Love and Compassion
with Naya Rappaport
Ahimsa, the first of the yamas (a moral code in Hinduism and yoga), calls for non-violence, and by many is interpreted as encompassing love and compassion for oneself, the Earth, and all living beings. In this yoga sequence based on the concept of ahimsa, you’ll awaken your body through deep stretches and work into a variety of heart-opening poses like Half Camel Low Lunge and full Camel.
Heart-Opening Flow
with Patrick Beach
If you’re looking for a more challenging class to get your blood flowing, this one's for you. You’ll start with a slow build-up of gentle backbends into heart-opening peak poses like Bound Camel and Forearm Wheel as you practice positive affirmations throughout the practice to leave you more appreciative and in awe of your body than ever.
Sacred Heart
with Talia Sutra
Relax and recline into a variety of restorative heart-openers like Puppy and Sphinx in this calming class that’s perfect for incorporating into a day of total self-care. You’ll need two blocks and a bolster for this class, but feel free to use any yoga prop substitute. Sink into poses with long, lengthening holds and melt away on your mat.
Wild Thing Flow
with Kayla Nielsen
Maybe you aren’t able to go in for a massage this Valentine’s Day, but a deep stretch is the next best thing. In this dynamic class, you’ll flow through lots of moves that target your side and hips, and you’ll work and warm up to the expansive peak pose: Wild Thing.
Looking for some more heart-opening classes? Start your free 14-day trial to Alo Moves here.