Yoga and Love: Exploring Connection, Devotion, and Compassion

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s easy to focus on romantic love, but yoga offers us an opportunity to expand our understanding of love in profound ways. Beyond romantic notions, yoga encourages us to explore self-love, love for others, love for our communities, and even love for the divine. These expressions of love are deeply interwoven into yogic philosophy and practice.

At True Love Yoga, the concept of love is central to what we cultivate on the mat and in life. Let’s explore some of the beautiful ways love shows up in yoga—through bhakti yoga, metta (loving-kindness), the heart chakra, and self-love.

Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Devotion

Bhakti yoga is one of the paths outlined in the Bhagavad Gita. Known as the yoga of devotion, it centers on love, longing, and connection to the divine. Unlike physical asanas, bhakti yoga is often practiced through chanting, singing, and storytelling.

I had the profound experience of practicing bhakti yoga during a week at the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas, where renowned kirtan artist Jai Uttal was in residence. Each kirtan was a moving journey of chanting, tears, and emotional release. As Jai beautifully put it, “The whole point of this practice is to feel.” This deep emotional resonance comes from connecting with a sense of longing and union with the divine—a practice that helps peel back layers of hardness and opens the heart.

Bhakti yoga doesn’t have to involve chanting. Gratitude journaling, appreciating art, connecting deeply with a loved one, or even playing with your child can all be forms of devotion. Anything that helps you cultivate love and connection is bhakti yoga in its essence.

Metta: Loving-Kindness in Practice

Metta, or loving-kindness, is a practice rooted in Buddhist tradition and often interwoven into yoga. It’s a way to embody ahimsa (nonviolence) and cultivate compassion for yourself, others, and the world.

My teacher introduced me to the practice of metta bhavana, a meditation in which you offer loving-kindness to different groups of people:

1. Someone you love deeply.

2. Someone neutral, like an acquaintance.

3. Someone you struggle with or feel negatively about.

4. Yourself, at any age.

5. The entire world.

This practice challenges us to soften our hearts, even toward those who have hurt us, and to see everyone as worthy of love. Over time, it can transform how we view ourselves and others, creating a ripple effect of compassion and connection.

The Heart Chakra: A Center of Love and Connection

The heart chakra (Anahata), located at the center of the chest, represents love, compassion, forgiveness, and connection. It’s where we hold both the joy of love and the pain of heartbreak.

When balanced, the heart chakra fosters unconditional love and empathy. But when imbalanced, it can manifest as jealousy, bitterness, or a lack of self-love. You can tend to your heart chakra through practices like:

• Visualizing a green light at your heart center.

• Chanting the mantra yam.

• Practicing acts of kindness or forgiveness.

• Writing a gratitude list.

• Engaging in heart-opening yoga poses like Ustrasana (camel pose).

What does your heart need today? Maybe it’s rest, a boundary, or a small act of kindness.

Self-Love and Communal Love

Yoga isn’t about punishing ourselves; it’s about nurturing and supporting ourselves with love. Self-love is foundational to showing up for others and creating a positive impact in the world.

Consider small actions to nourish yourself:

• A restorative yoga session.

• Affirmations or self-care rituals.

• Reflecting on your passions and taking steps to support causes you care about.

Love is also about how we show up in community. In your yoga spaces, are you practicing kindness and grace? Are you holding space for others’ journeys and extending that same compassion to yourself?

A Labor of Love

Teaching yoga is a labor of love, and expressing gratitude to your teachers can be incredibly meaningful. If a teacher has positively impacted your life, let them know—it fuels their work in ways you can’t imagine.

As you explore the many facets of love through your yoga practice, remember: love is boundless. Whether through bhakti yoga, metta, the heart chakra, or self-love, yoga offers countless opportunities to open your heart and deepen your connections.

May your heart be open, your spirit full, and your love boundless.

Explore more about these practices on True Love Yoga and my podcast, Deepen Your Practice. Om Shanti. Om Peace.