My theme for 2015 was Radical Open Heart. I started the year focusing a lot on backbends in yoga – the heart-opening poses.

A few months into the year, I hurt my back.

After taking it easy and approaching yoga as if I were a beginner again for a while, I decided to do all of the heart-opening backbends for the first time in weeks. Midway through the back-bending sequence, the instructor (Jeremy Moran) had us take a silent moment to give some attention to whichever chakra within ourselves that we felt might need more balance. My hands immediately embraced my solar plexus – the chakra connected to our will and our ability to “get things done.”

As I did, a little voice from within said, “Don’t make me do things that aren’t my job.”

It suddenly hit me:

You can’t force your heart open with a crowbar.

I’d injured my back in the solar plexus area because I’d been trying to force myself into the heart-opening poses. Instead of … oh gee I don’t know … opening my heart …

While this may seem like it’s a simple story of life on the yoga mat, it’s not.

Habits like this show up in every corner of our lives. 

My overactive/overworked solar plexus chakra is a sign on the mat of my tendency to try to force things off the mat. Working too hard. Trying to control things that are outside my control.

As I recommitted to my annual theme, I put some attention into feeling liquid in my hips, opening my heart, and receiving (while letting my solar plexus take a well-deserved break).

That was the last time that year I hurt my back. And life was a little easier too! 😜

What were your intentions, resolutions, and themes at the beginning of this year?

What will you recommit to so you can finish out the year with intention?

Comment below. I’d love to hear!

With passion & love,

Lauri