Pursuing an Open Heart

In the past few days I have noticed a lack of openness in my chest, the front side of my ribs. My abdomen opens as does my throat, but in-between feels stuck. It prevents me from raising my arms all the way and spreading my ribs from top to bottom.

The heart area is associated with the 4th Chakra, Anahata. It is the middle Chakra, the balancing point for the three above and the three below. Perhaps it makes sense that my throat and belly would open first, meeting at the heart.

Over the past couple years I have noticed a sensation rise up my spine during backbends. The sensation, a tenderness (almost soreness), started in my lower lumbar spine. Slowly it has moved upwards to where it is now, near the bottom of my ribs where the thoracic curve takes shape. I have thought it was muscular in nature, my spinal muscles growing and getting used to the backward bend. Now I think there might be this energetic component as well.

So I am focusing my efforts anew on opening my chest. Anahatasana, Dolphin Pose, Camel and Full Camel, Floor Bow.