In a yoga class, you might often hear the phrase "open the heart or heart opening." These phrases describe two different actions depending on whether one is speaking of backbends or twists. In a backbend such as "the Cobra", we try to arch the upper back, expand the chest and soften the shoulders back. In a twist, we try to lengthen the spine and expand the space between the shoulders while rotating the chest to one side. Breathing plays a vital role in helping this opening a