Can Yoga Heal a Broken Heart?

Many people are skeptical on how to use yoga to heal a broken heart because of the perception that it deals more with the physical rather than the emotional. However, what we most commonly miss is the fact that there are many physical activities that we can get involved with that will lead to emotional satisfaction and happiness. This means that getting over the emotional stress and tension of a broken heart can be quite possible by using yoga.

broken heart

Yoga has been known to help balance the hormones, calm the nervous system, increase flexibility, build strength and oxygenate the muscles among others. What many people are not aware of is the emotional benefits that it also delivers like releasing kept emotions, allowing feelings to come out, and delivers a motivational force that will enforce feelings of positivity. Because of these emotional benefits, there is a need to learn some of the poses used in yoga to heal a broken heart.

Salamba Savasana (Supported Corpse Pose)

Before going into this yoga pose, you must prepare two blankets or beach towels. One should be rolled extremely tight, and the other one should be folded into a pillow. As you lie on the floor, place the rolled blanket or beach towel horizontally under your shoulder blades or bra line. The second blanket or beach towel will be placed under your head, but make sure that your heart remains in a higher position than your head.

Come into a relaxed state by closing your eyes and maintaining deep breaths for about 2 to 5 minutes. The focus should be on the release of the torso into the blanket or beach towel. As you go through the motions deliberately, recite the mantra 'I am' as you inhale, and 'free' when you exhale. The physical benefit of this pose is that it will open up the neck muscles, as well as the chest and shoulder areas.

On the emotional side, yoga poses like the Supported Corpse Pose helps to promote serenity and calm. The blankets or beach towels generate the feeling of being cuddled, which is appropriate for those with a broken heart. The comfort generated by this pose will make it easier for you to relax or fall asleep, as well as allow your mind to release any type of anxiety that it holds because of your failed relationship.

Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend)

You can use yoga to heal a broken heart with the Wide-Legged Forward Bend because its wide stance will provide you with a deeper connection with the Earth. It also helps to provide a feeling of being strong and grounded. The pose generates an intense stretching in the shoulders, chest, and back, which helps to free up the heart, allowing you to become more open to the feeling of love.

This pose requires that you stand with your feet approximately leg distance apart and must remain parallel. Ensure that your legs remain strong for the duration of the routine. Keep your hands clasp behind your back and maintain your arms straight. When you inhale, make sure that you fill up your lungs, and then slowly fold forward as you exhale. Your clasped hands should be stretched to release your neck and head. Maintain the position for about 3 to 10 breaths.

Slowly return to the upright position and repeat the motion again. The Wide-Legged Forward Bend will not only help stretch out your legs, but will also help release tension in the shoulders and pelvic area because of the stretching action.

Natarajasana (Modified Dancer Pose)

Standing with your feet hip-width apart and parallel, maintain your balance on your left leg and bend your right knee slowly. Use your right hand to grab the outside portion of your right foot while keeping your hips parallel as well as maintaining the position of facing the front of the mat. Gently press your right foot onto your right hand and begin to stretch your left arm towards the ceiling.

The right leg must remain bent as you root down through your left leg. The torso must be shifted slightly forward when you begin to raise your right leg a few inches higher. Maintain the position for about 3 to 5 breaths. Begin to lower yourself and repeat the routine on the other side. This will deliver physical benefits of strengthening and lengthening the thigh muscles as it opens up your upper body.

You can use yoga to heal a broken heart with this pose because it helps to teach you to find the beauty even in the most difficult of circumstances as well as see the humor in chaos. Since there is nothing easy when it comes to the Modified Dancer Pose, it will have a substantial effect on your mind that will help prevent you from focusing on the negative aspects of your relationships.

Wild Thing Pose

This is a relatively simple position that requires you to sit on the floor and keep your knees bent. You must maintain an approximate distance of a foot between your body and your feet. Position your right hand on top of your right hip and keep your fingers pointed away from your body. When consistently done correctly, it opens the back, shoulders, and hips to delivery immense physical benefits.

Mentally, since the Wild Thing Pose is fun to do, you begin to forget that you are faced with a broken heart that has brought you nothing but disappointments and sadness. By beginning to enjoy yourself with this pose, you can begin to rebuild your self-esteem as well as the freedom to empower yourself and begin to look at new opportunities more favorably.

Vrksasana (Tree Pose)

One of the more widely recognized poses in yoga, it strengthens and stretches the legs and pelvis aside from opening the hips and lengthening the torso. It requires you to stand with your feet parallel and at about hip width apart. Maintain a strong stance with your left leg and put the sole of your right foot against the inner part of your left thigh. Let the leg muscles hug the bones strongly as you push your right foot and left thigh together.

Bring your hands to the prayer position to complete the pose. This will give you the mental ability to focus and channel your energy more positively and away from your broken heart. Maintaining your balance will allow you to feel more secure not only physically, but emotionally as well, to allow yoga to heal a broken heart.

When you begin to do these poses correctly and regularly, you will begin to realize that you can use yoga to heal a broken heart.