Whether you are a swimmer, cyclist, runner or just a desk warrior taking the time to do "heart opener" stretches is very worth while to keep your shoulders and chest open and your posture aligned. And what better day for Heart Openers than Valentine's Day!

Heart Openers are simply chest and shoulder stretches. Many sports and daily activities we participate in round our shoulders forward and "close our heart". When we keep the chest and shoulder muscles both strong and flexible we allow fuller range of motion and power, injury prevention, and improved posture. What's not to love about that?!

For many, Valentine's Day is about candy and flowers. I absolutely love both! But for me, everything I love, I love more after I do some yoga. So maybe just for today you can join me (and maybe someone you love) and do a few minutes of yoga. Here are two quick sequences you can try...

First, start with the Heart Opener Sun Salutation to get warmed up

Then, try the Upper Body stretch sequence for some deeper chest and shoulder stretches...

And if you don't have time to leave your desk today, try the Desk Warrior sequence...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Obstacles

We're 41 days into 2011. One of my intentions this year is to do 365 consecutive days of Sun Salutations. Yesterday was my 40th consecutive day and I celebrated by taking class with one of my best friends and favorite teachers. Today I woke up and have a stomach flu. But this is just one of many major obstacles I've hit so far this year.

Here is the thing...

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -Dolly Parton

When I set my goal of doing 10 minutes of Sun Salutations a day I felt like it was a very achievable goal. At the time, I didn't realize I'd be facing two family deaths within the first 6 weeks of the year. But I'm proud to say that despite many sleepless nights, stress and sadness, I maintained a commitment to my daily 10 minutes and it has been a worthwhile investment.

The day my Grandma died, my sister joined me for my 10 minute mini practice. We did yoga on Grandma's living room floor early in the morning despite barely sleeping the night before, getting up every two hours to nurse and check on her. Grandma died later that afternoon peacefully in her home, and I feel like my sister and I also had so much peace through the entire process.  

I'm sure you can relate when I say there were many days "I didn't feel like it" but boy did I feel better after I did it. Ten minutes might not sound like much, but it can make a world of difference during times of challenge. I realize that an important reason I take care of myself is so that I have the energy and ability to help take care of others. We can't give from an empty cup.

Today my 10 minute practice might not be Sun Salutations since I have a stomach flu. But being flexible is as much mental as physical. I believe a 10 minute seated meditation or guided imagery Savasana will suffice on sick days.

Obstacles are part of life. Setting a goal and achieving it is not supposed to be easy. If it was, no one would ever achieve anything worthwhile. It's the challenges that set us apart.

By mid February many people who set a New Years fitness goal start to fall off the wagon. Now is the time to reset your committment to your health and wellness. In a few more weeks it will be spring and it will be worth it...

"What appears to be impossible may be the wall you can only see from your present stance. If you are willing to give thanks for something you want before you see it, you will not be disappointed. Be constant to your goals, show gratitude - And one day soon you will look back and wonder why you ever doubted." - Joyce Sequichie Hifler