Valentine’s Day: A Day To Show Yourself Some Love

It’s Valentine’s Day, a day where we show that special someone in our lives how much they mean to us and how much we love and cherish them. When you think about it it’s a beautiful concept although some of us may argue that if you really love and cherish someone should you not show them that love every single day as opposed to just one day of the year.

Whatever our own personal views on Valentine’s Day I’m sure we’d all agree that if you do love and appreciate someone you should show them that love. Sometimes though we get so caught up in caring for others that we often neglect ourselves so this Valentine’s Day let’s show ourselves some love!

You can indulge in some decadent chocolate or buy yourself some flowers or even buy yourself that dress or gadget you’ve had your eye on for ages … or then again you could do a little yoga! Love starts from within so what better way to express it then to show some love for your mind, body and soul …

There are so many great yoga poses that ‘open’ your heart; here are some of my personal favourites:

Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

Laying with the front of your body on your yoga mat and your forehead resting on the mat or a folded blanket if this feels more comfortable for you. Now place your chin on the mat and bend your knees. Grab the outer edges of your feet or ankles keeping your knees hip-distance apart. Inhale and raise your chin off the mat and look straight ahead of you. Exhale and push the soles of your feet towards the ceiling, lift your thighs off the floor and lift your chest while pressing your belly against the mat.

Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Starting from a kneeling position with your knees hip-distance apart, point your toes to the back of the mat. Keeping your pelvis over your knees start to lean back curling your body gently as far is comfortable. As you grab your heels lift your heart and relax your throat.

Sphinx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana)

Laying on your belly with your forearms flat on the mat and your elbows under your shoulders place your chin on the floor or on a folded blanket. Pressing your forearms into the mat inhale and lift your chest and your head off the floor. Keeping your neck in line with the spine and letting your legs find their natural width, roll your shoulders back and press your chest forward.

Lord Of The Dance (Natarajasana)

Standing in Mountain Pose with your weight on your right foot lift your left heel up towards your right buttock and bend your knee. Keep your right leg strong on the mat and your torso upright and reach your left hand back to grab the outside of your left foot or ankle. Slowly lift your left leg up and extend the left thigh behind you. Fix your gaze on a spot in front of you to help with your balance or if you like a challenge close your eyes. When you have balance stretch your left arm out in front of you.

Reverse Warrior

Standing in Warrior II with your legs approximately 4 or 5 feet apart and your right foot out to a 90-degree angle and your left at 45 degrees and your arms extended at shoulder level. Keep your right knee (front knee) bent and rotate the wrist of your forward arm so your palm is facing the ceiling. Sweep your arm up and back into an arch and slide your rear hand down the back leg to your thigh or your calf.

Supported Savasana

Now this is my absolute favourite! Place a foam block on your mat and then take a bolster and place it vertically over the block. Take a folded blanket and place it at the top end of the bolster as a pillow. Resting your sacrum against the bottom end of the bolster bring your back gently onto the bolster. Let your feet and ankles drop to either side and bring your arms to your sides with your palms facing upwards. You should feel a nice gentle stretch in your back and feel your chest opening.

If this doesn’t feel comfortable for you remove the bolster and place the foam block or folded blanket at the top of the mat as a pillow. Lay your head down on the ‘pillow’ and place the bolster under your knees. Let your feet and ankles fall to the side and place your arms, palms facing upwards by your side.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhan Pranayama)

Sitting in a comfortable position place the thumb or right hand against your right nostril and inhale. Close the left nostril with your ring finger and release the thumb from your right nostril and exhale. Repeat 3 times and as you become more comfortable wit the technique increase the repetition.

Relaxation and Mindfulness

Practicing relaxation and mindfulness on a daily basis is good for our mind, body and soul but as it’s Valentine’s Day treat yourself to a little something special. Turn off the lights, light a few scented candles, surround yourself with flowers or flower petals, put on some nice relaxing music and ignite all your sense while thinking about your happy place. You can sit or lay down in whatever position feels comfortable to you and you can focus on a candle flame or just close your eyes (making sure any candles you have lit in the room are in a safe place and can’t catch light to anything else or burn you) and concentrate on the breath. Switch off from the world and concentrate on you, this is your time, your moment.

Happy Valentine’s Day!