Yoga Tidbit ~ What does it mean to shine through your HEART?

Picture source: faithfreed.com

Here is a Yoga Tidbit for today...a short concise piece of yoga related information that I found useful, and likely had an 'ahha' moment about...and am feeling compelled to share. (This is my first posting about a yoga tidbit...so I will be excited to share future posting as they arise) :)

Have you ever heard your yoga teacher refer to a movement of your heart in a yoga pose? I teach yoga and I often find myself saying things like:

• Reach your heart to the sky
• Shine your heart to the sky
• Twist your heart open
• Reach your heart forward

I'm sure the list could go on....and I often wonder what is a better way of saying this action of 'reaching your heart toward the sky', because i think these sayings above can sometimes be confusing and misleading.....well...I'm reading 'Ashtanga Yoga, Practice and Philosphy' and it has a great way of describing the actual physical movement that is occurring that I felt I had to share. Plus, by sharing it and typing it, maybe I'll remember it!! :)

Shining your heart toward the sky = Lifting through the front of your rib cage, the sternum...
...while doing this also allow shoulder blades to flatten onto the back, and the lower ribs in the front of the chest soften back in towards your body.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on other ways of saying 'shine your heart to the sky'...as well as your Yoga Tidbit of the day.