HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The deeper breathing practices also typically lead cigarette smokers to reconsider their habit which is a real plus as smoking is known to result in heart disease In fact, yogic breathwork practices, or ‘pranayama’ helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system, which helps your heart function properly. If you are a smoker practicing pranayama, you will likely find yourself feeling compelled to kick the habit This is a very good thing Again, it gets better.

Along with the physical benefits of practicing yoga for heart health, many of the chest/heart opening poses help to create a better sense of contentment and well-being Given that much of our day is spent hunched over a computer or a steering wheel, we tend to close off our chest and our ability to feel with our heart. First, we feel the tightness in our upper body. Then we feel the disconnect of actually feeling with our heart and we get stuck in our head and our thinking

Doing a sequence of chest or heart opening poses comprises what is known as a heart-centered practice and can help you move more into a place of feeling rather than thinking This is where to focus is connecting, both physically and spiritually, with what yoga practitioners refer to as the heart chakra. Known in Sanskrit as ‘Anahata,’ the heart chakra sits in the center of your chest and serves as a bridge between your upper and lower energy centers It connects your physical experience with your spiritual one and creates a sense of calm as well as healing energy. In other words, you simply start to feel happier.

How does that happen? Well, the condition of your heart chakra determines how much empathy, love, and understanding you feel towards yourself and others. A heart centred practice invites you to listen to your inner wisdom, cultivate love and kindness toward yourself and others, as well as feel as sense of compassion and openness It basically gets you out of your head and into your heart

It is believed that when the heart chakra is in healthy alignment, you will feel surrounded by love, compassion and joy. You will also feel much more connected to the world around you A heart centred practice will allow you to not just see the beauty and love around you, it will also enable you to love yourself and your body, all of which makes for a much happier and healthier heart –physically, emotionally and spiritually

Happy Heartful Valentines Day!

Heidi Pfleger has been a Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach for more than 30 years and a student of yoga since the age of five. Born and raised on a farm in the Paris area, Heidi ventured further afield to study Yoga around the world in her twenties and has since been sharing her experiences and continuing in her studies both on and off the mat. Heidi offers regular yoga classes and individual sessions as well as wellness coaching sessions and retreats throughout the year. For more information on her programs, contact Heidi at 519-755-1447.

February Is Heart Month

Heart & Stroke polling found strong public support for the following: