Open Your Heart with Sphinx Yin Yoga Pose
Summer season is connected with the heart in Yin yoga.
Your passions, your inner fire, your heart's desires, love…
And the color red. ❤️🔥
How does Yin yoga work?
In my Yin yoga teacher training with founder Sarah Powers in 2016, I learned that Yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese medicine. Yin yoga works like acupuncture without needles, using the pressure points of your body in contact with the ground through gravity.
Simply put: each Yin yoga pose uniquely stimulates the flow of energy along energy pathways, or so called "meridians," that run alongside specific organs in your body.
We stay in a Yin yoga pose for about 3 to 5 minutes so it can work on the deeper lying tissues: the connective tissue and tendons around your joints.
This brings greater flexibility, strength, and stability.
And also so beautiful: Yin yoga works holistically, meaning it affects the whole system of your entire human being: mental, emotional, physical, energetic, and spiritual.
How to open your heart with the Sphinx Yin yoga pose:
❤️ Lie on your stomach with your legs slightly apart. Let your feet rest on the floor at the instep.
❤️ Place your forearms in a 90-degree position with your elbows aligned directly under your shoulders.
❤️ Look slightly upward like a sphinx. It opens your chest and creates a curve in your lower back.
This stimulates the meridians along the heart and small intestine. Close your eyes to focus your attention more inward.
❤️ Set a timer and stay in Sphinx pose for 3-5 minutes without moving; don't force anything (!).
❤️ Bring your attention here and now to your breath. Or breathe into your heart.
❤️ When the timer starts, breathe in and out a little more deeply. Come out of the pose and lie flat on your stomach for a while.
❤️ Let Sphinx pose sink in for a moment and feel the energy flow.
🎵 Music to open your heart
While practicing Sphinx Yin yoga pose you can listen to music that you love, to help open up your heart. I suggest “The Opening” from Beautiful Chorus. I feel it is a beautiful heart opener.
Enjoy your Yin yoga practice!
Does it taste for more?
You are very welcome for a Yin yoga Session!
In a Yin yoga Session, you’ll receive a series of Yin yoga poses tailored to your unique body and mental, emotional, physical, energetic, and/or spiritual ailments.
Discover what a Yin yoga Session can do for you.
— Maartje Stroeken
📸 - Practicing Sphynx Yin Yoga pose. ✨
© 2025 Maartje Stroeken