Open Your Heart Centre and Breathe Fully: 50 Day Blog - Day 26

So the final movement that I have for you ion the sequence I've set out over the last few days is a simple but powerful chest opener. 

You can do this either standing or sitting. I generally prefer to do it sitting as I can then set my sitting bones first, then my ribs above them and then I know that I am opening where I need it most. I'm a bit of a 'rib thruster' and in standing I will tend to do this rather than actually open my chest. 

The other thing that I tend to like about sitting is that I can push the heels of my hands down my back and to the floor and then use the floor as leverage to lift my spine and really open across my collar bones where I tend to need it most. 

Really, though, it's about finding whichever position you prefer or is best for you that day. The more that you discover what works best for you then, well, the more you know what works best for you!  

Intertwine your fingers behind your back and straighten your arms down your back. Roll your shoulders back, gently squeezing your shoulder blades. Start easy with this position and then work into it with breath and gentle re-positioning.  It is important to make sure that you are not pushing your head forward as you do this, as all that is doing is fooling your body into thinking that it is doing the move, whereas in reality it is compensating out of opening where it really needs it. Instead feel length and height through your neck and to the top of your head.

Follow a pattern of breathe in, open, breath out and lengthen or lift: 

Breathe into your breast bone, open your collar bones. Breathe out and lengthen your spine. 

Breathe into your heart centre, open your chest. Breathe out and lengthen your arms down your back

Breathe fully into your chest, open your front. Breathe out and lift your heart centre 

On the out breathe, release all tension, but hold then position, maintaining length and strength as you do so. 

I often find that it is nice to do this, for a few breaths and then come out of the movement. Then when I go back into it I feel the openness I have already made and the next breathe then expands it even more. 

A lovely opener which can be done anywhere. Especially when you have been sat for a long time! (hint hint!). 

Tomorrow I'll recap on all the last few days so that you have it all to hand should you wish. 

Til tomorrow then .... 

CT :-)