By Karen Watson Reeves
When we speak of the “heart” in yoga, there are actually two meanings and in no order of importance/significance. There is the physical muscle that transports blood throughout the body and secretes hormones to lower blood pressure. There is the heart chakra, which in the energetic body is the center and source of giving and receiving love.
What better time to target the heart (yes, you can imagine Cupid) than February, when the American Heart Association focuses on healthy heart muscles and society focuses on Valentine’s Day, where emotional/romantic love is celebrated? And what better pose to illustrate the heart than Camel Pose?
As Fred and I were cruising around town in search of a heart sculpture, photo, icon of some sort to stage the pose, nothing presented itself to us. So instead, we ventured out of town a bit to a place that I love (to stay with the theme). What is not to love about the setting? A beautiful natural backdrop in The Natural State, brilliant blue sky, Lake Ouachita, mountains in the distance, barren winter trees with just enough green for lovely contrast, and a fresh, crisp breeze made it worth the drive.
On a physical level, Camel Pose stretches the muscles of the chest, lowers blood pressure thus reducing hypertension, and enhances blood circulation in the body, all of which foster a healthier heart muscle. Emotionally, Camel Pose opens the heart chakra, the energy center of love, so that energy flows freely and your sense of caring and compassion is heightened. You love others, you love yourself.
This pose stretches the chest and exposes us in an area we tend to protect, because of feelings of vulnerability. Emotions that we thought we had faced, worked through, or intentionally “stuffed” can resurface in intense ways. It is not unusual to hunch our shoulders and round our upper spines to protect this area.
So even if the feelings are difficult, it is a healthy thing to work through the emotional traumas, as long as you do so gently and mindfully, because an open emotional heart brings love, compassion and beauty into our lives. It is where we find deep bonds with other human beings.
There are other benefits to Camel Pose as well: increases flexibility in the spine, corrects poor posture, stimulates the nervous system, improves digestion, stimulates thyroid glands, and reduces stress. So, there are many reasons not to shy away from this pose, even though it can be physically and emotionally challenging.
As we journey into February and hearts are everywhere, visualize a slow-moving camel making its way through the desert. This pose, like all poses, is a journey and not a destination. Watch your heart expand, feel your heart beating, listen to the emotions arising, taste a chocolate heart or two. Give yourself time in a place that you love with a person you love. Your heart will grow!
Karen Watson Reeves was born and raised in Mount Holly and has called Hot Springs home since 2006. She became a registered yoga teacher in 2011 and has travelled Arkansas teaching her passion. She owns The Yoga Place, is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff, is an adjunct instructor at National Park College, as well as teaching in several other fabulous venues. www.TheYogaPlaceHS.com.
