Valentine’s Day carries many meanings. For some it’s about love and romance, for others it’s a day of personal reflection, and for many it can be a little complicated or confronting. In yoga, love is understood a little differently. Real love is not something fleeting or performative, but an inherent quality we cultivate through applying the yoga process; through awareness, action, and devotion to our higher purpose.
For many practitioners, yoga practice (inclusive of yoga asana, relaxation and meditation) has become a steady companion in our lives. It’s where we learn how to stay with sensation, how to soften resistance, and how to open the body and breath with patience rather than force. Over time, this consistent returning to the mat gradually creates space in the mind; space between thoughts, emotions and actions; and offers a space for us to witness without attachment, releasing what no longer serves us. This inner often spaciousness often coincides with a softening and opening of the heart. This has a direct, positive impact on how we relate to others and the world around us.
In bhakti yoga, this opening of the heart is not an end in itself, but a way of refining our capacity to love more deeply, beyond personal preference, toward a higher, steadier, and more enduring goal. This intention is often felt in practice: a sense that the work we do on the mat is an offering, not just an exercise.
This Valentine’s week doesn’t need to be about grand gestures or external displays. It can be an invitation to practise with sincerity. To share practice with friends. To rest deeply in Yoga Nidra. To spend time in nature. To express appreciation through presence, kindness, and care.
Yoga reminds us that love is something we practise and cultivate. And when practised well, it naturally extends beyond the mat — to others, our environment, and the cultivation of a higher, spiritual love.
Practices for Cultivating the Heart
A heart-opening practice this Valentine’s week can be a simple way to reconnect with the intention to soften and release any tensions, physical or emotional, that may be guarding our hearts. Not to chase sensation, but to create space in the body and breath where sattva, clarity, and the soul’s natural propensity to love can arise naturally.
A few postures that support this quality of opening:
Supported Fish Pose (Matsyasana): A classic heart opener that gently lifts the chest and throat, encouraging openness without strain. When supported with props, it becomes deeply nourishing and accessible for most bodies.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana): A steady, grounded backbend that opens the front body while keeping the feet and legs rooted. This balance of lift and stability mirrors the yogic understanding of love, expansive, yet anchored.
Low Lunge with Chest Lift (Anjaneyasana variation): This posture creates space through the hips and front body, allowing the chest to rise organically. When approached slowly, it invites a feeling of offering rather than effort.
Props to Support the Practice
Support allows the heart to open without forcing. For this practice, we recommend:
- Bolster: to support the spine and chest in restorative heart openers
- Yoga blocks: to bring the floor closer and reduce strain
- A folded blanket: for comfort under the spine or head
Setting the Mood
A quiet space, soft lighting, and a familiar grounding scent can help the nervous system settle. Traditional incense like Nag Champa has long been used in yogic settings. If you’d like to explore this theme more deeply, this heart-opening yoga class is available on YouTube, a gentle, guided practice designed to help you create space in the chest, breathe with intention, and dedicate your practice to something greater than yourself.
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