Yin Yoga Pose: Anahatasana - Heart Opening Posture aka Melting Heart by Chris Loebsack

Setting Up:
Foundation-Begin in table top with knees hip distance apart and the hands under the shoulders.

Action- Walk the hands forward until the shoulders are fully flexed and arms fully. Extended. Allow the spine to come passively into extension.

Boundary- Keep the hips somewhat over the knees. Toes may be tucked or untucked depending on your comfort level.

While You are There:
Allow each exhale to help you sink your chest space in the direction of the earth.
Hold the pose 3-5 minutes
    
Modify- For knee sensitivity place a blanket under the knees or double up the thickness of the yoga mat. If the head cannot reach the floor place a block under the forehead. Readjust if there is any neck tension.

Deepen- At a certain point the head will stop you from going any deeper you may look forward to take the skull out of the way and settle the chest more deeply towards the floor.
  
Transition out of the Pose: Either shift back into Child’s Pose or slide onto the belly and rest there for a moment before any additional transitions. While it may feel nice for many to shift into Child’s Pose

Why (benefits):

• Spinal Extension- more focus in the back bend on the upper and middle back.
• Shoulder Opening- Stretch for the LATS, opens intercostal muscles and lengthens the rectus abdominis.
• Chest Opening- Relaxes and opens the space around the sternum, middle and upper front ribs.
• Stretches across the posterior aspect of the glutes.

When to Avoid (contraindications):

• Neck compromise, injury or discomfort.
• Nerve issues that cause tingling in arms- if tingling occurs try adjusting the arms to a wider stance. If tingling does not go away with adjustments skip the pose altogether.

Yang Variation:
Half Dog aka Puppy Pose: The difference in the yang form is that the hands and arms are quite active and the pose would only be held for 3-5 breaths.

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About Chris Loebsack
​Chris Loebsack, 500 E.R.Y.T,  fell in love with yoga in 1995 and began teaching in 2003. Chris uses the power of yoga to create a space for students that cultivates trust, playfulness and Divine connection with themselves and with community. Living by her mantra, Clarity, Integrity and Love, she draws upon her partner yoga practice to share the healing power of touch and safe intimacy. 

A passion for discovering subtlety in movement has lead Chris to deepen her education with the Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers® kinesiology program. Her playful yet focused classes are filled with user friendly gems of applied anatomy leaving students with a greater understanding of how to find comfort and space in their bodies and smiles beaming across their faces. She encourages teachers to set a higher standard of excellence through knowledge and has become a valuable mentor to many upcoming yoga educators. 

Chris teaches privates, classes and workshops across the globe. She is currently the director of the Boundless Yoga 200 hr and 500 hr Teacher Training programs and an Adjunct Teacher Trainer for the Om Factory® School of Yoga NYC 200hr, BambooMoves, Bhakti Barn Yoga, Just Plain Yoga, and NearMe Yoga 200hr Teacher Training Programs. She has also been featured in Fitness Magazine®, Yoga Journal: Yoga Mentor, Good an Well, Local Flair Magazine and the New York Times. In addition to yoga you are likely to find her laughing with friends and family or quietly meditating with her cats (Sukha, Fuzz-butt, and Squirrel) or traveling and teaching with her husband Brian M. Davis as Boundless Motion.

Boundless Yoga Studio Stroudsburg Classes:
Alignment and Anatomy of Yoga (All Levels) Mondays 9:30 am
Zen Flow (Level 1/2) Mondays 5:30 pm
Flow (Level 2/3) Thursdays 9:30 am
Flow (Level 1) Sundays 9:30 am 

​Boundless Yoga Studio Mt. Pocono Class 
YIN Yoga (Stretch) Tuesdays 6:00 pm ​
Zen Flow (Open Level) Fridays 9:30 am - Begins June 1st, 2018

Upcoming Workshops Events:
7/20-22 The Yin Approach Advanced Studies Program  Only 7 spaces remaining as of 6/17
​11/3-5 Chair Yoga Advanced Studies Program 
Fall/Winter 2018- 200 hr The Journey Begins Teacher Training Program  9 Spaces Remaining as of 6/17

Touring Schedule 2018 Contact Chris  to register for any of the immersions
7/14/2018 Leighigh Valley Yoga Festival
8/22-Sept 7th Level 2 AcroYoga Teacher Training- Greece
10/5-7 Divine Play- Portland Oregon
November 10/11 and 17/18 2 Weekend Ontario AcroYoga Elemental Immersion

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