Heart-Opening Stretch
Materials Needed
Feeling
Bored
How to Do It
Stand or sit with your arms at your sides. Inhale deeply and sweep your arms back, opening your chest wide and lifting your chin slightly. Hold this open posture for a few seconds, then exhale and relax. Repeat this movement several times.
Why It Works
Opening the chest can help to physically counteract the closed-off posture that often accompanies apathy, encouraging a more open and energized state of being.
Guided Practice
Find a comfortable position and take a moment to connect with your breath. Notice the rise and fall of your chest and feel the openness of your heart space. You might imagine your breath creating more space within your chest, preparing for gentle movement.
Now, bring your arms behind you, clasping your hands together or holding onto opposite elbows. Gently squeeze your shoulder blades together, lifting your chest and opening your heart towards the sky. Feel the stretch across your chest and shoulders, perhaps sensing a gentle tension or a deep opening.
As you hold this position, focus on the sensations in your chest and upper back. Notice any emotions that arise as you open your heart space — perhaps a feeling of vulnerability, a sense of openness, or even a touch of resistance. Allow yourself to stay with these feelings, observing them as they move through your body. Feel the breath moving in and out, expanding your ribcage with each inhale and softening with each exhale.
Imagine your heart center as a warm, glowing light, expanding outward with each breath. Feel this light spreading through your chest, down your arms, and up through your throat. Notice if any memories or beliefs come up as you hold this position — maybe a familiar feeling of protection or a belief about being open and vulnerable. Stay with these experiences, letting them inform your understanding of your own heart space.
When you feel ready, gently release your arms and take a few deep breaths, allowing your shoulders to relax. Notice the sensations in your chest now — perhaps a sense of spaciousness, warmth, or a lightness. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of openness and connection with you, feeling more aware of your heart and its capacity to give and receive.