It warms my heart that you've tuned into this Heart Alignment Meditation.
As you start to slow down and settle in,
Let's take a moment to acknowledge some important information about our hearts.
If you'd like to skip right to the practice,
It begins a little after two minutes.
Your heart is one of the most precious and vital organs in your body.
It's been working for you every moment of your life,
Without pause,
Without rest,
Without asking for recognition.
So much of the conversation around heart health focuses on what foods we should or shouldn't be eating.
And while food certainly matters,
Some of the most powerful ways to support the heart are often overlooked.
Reducing stress by slowing down and softening and offering the heart our attention,
Appreciation,
And care.
Chronic stress asks the heart to work harder than it needs to.
Luckily,
The heart responds beautifully to calm,
To breath,
And to loving awareness.
When we slow the breath and soften the body,
The heart feels that it thrives on your support.
Speaking of which,
You are likely supporting your heart more than you realize.
Every glass of water you drink,
Every walk you take,
Every workout,
Stretch,
Nourishing meal,
Or moment of rest,
Every smile you give to someone else,
These are all acts of care for your heart.
Taking a moment to recognize and affirm these habits helps reinforce them and reminds the heart that it is supported.
Today's practice is an invitation to give your heart something it deeply needs.
Space,
Ease,
Gratitude,
And kindness.
Let's begin by finding a comfortable seat or resting position.
Allow your body to be completely supported by whatever is beneath you.
If it feels safe and comfortable,
Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Take a slow,
Easy breath in through your nose and a gentle sigh out through your mouth.
Again,
Inhale and sigh it out.
Bring one or both hands to your chest over your heart.
Notice the warmth of your hand on your chest.
Notice the subtle movement beneath it,
Whether it's the beating of your heart or the rise and fall of your chest with each breath.
Your heart is not just a pump,
It's a responsive,
Intelligent organ connected to emotion,
Intuition,
And compassion.
It listens,
It adapts,
It remembers.
It's an ocean of compassion and it's incredibly powerful.
Let your hands drift down to a resting position.
And now picture your beating heart in your mind's eye and imagine that your heart can breathe as if it were a third lung in your body.
Imagine breathing through the heart as if the breath enters and exits directly from the center of your chest,
Washing the heart in kindness.
On your next exhale,
Imagine the breath flowing gently into the heart,
Not forced,
Full of patience and ease.
As you exhale,
Imagine the breath flowing out of the heart,
Releasing tension,
Pressure,
Tightness,
Or any holding.
Inhale into the heart.
Breathe love into the heart.
Breathe love out of the heart.
With every breath out,
Imagine the heart softening,
Becoming a little wider,
A little more spacious.
There is plenty more room inside it for ease.
There's no rush here.
Your heart knows how to slow down.
Practicing patience soothes the heart.
As you continue breathing this way,
Picture blood moving easily and effortlessly,
Flowing smoothly through the body from your heart,
Delivering oxygen,
Energy,
Nourishment,
And warmth.
Nothing is strained.
Nothing is stuck.
Everything is moving in cooperation.
Now,
As silly as it may sound,
Imagine your heart smiling,
A sweet,
Gentle smile,
Kind,
Loving,
And grateful.
As you relax and continue to breathe here,
You may silently say to your heart,
Thank you.
I'm listening.
I support you.
With every inhale,
Invite in ease.
With every exhale,
Release pressure.
Your heart holds wisdom.
It knows how to care.
Compassion is its love language.
It knows how to lead when the mind feels overwhelmed.
Rest here for a few more breaths,
Breathing with the heart.
Softening toward it,
Offering it the love it gives so freely.
When you're ready,
Allow the breath to return to its natural rhythm.
See if you can sense any sensation of warmth in your chest area.
Know that you can return to this precious heart space of yours at any time.
With one breath,
A hand to your chest,
A sweet smile,
Or a moment of awareness.
Your heart is strong.
Your heart is wise.
Your heart is worthy of care.
It is full of compassion.
When it feels right,
Gently let your eyes flutter open and carry this heart-led presence with you for the rest of your day.
Namaste.
