Being able to breathe into the chest, also known by many yogis as the Heart Space, is just as important as being able to breathe into the belly.

But for many of us, the Heart Space feel inaccessible, blocked, or worse, completely closed off. Opening up our hearts, even just by physically stretching the chest forward and outward, can make us feel vulnerable and exposed. However, when we can expand and find more space in the chest, we’re able to breathe easier, and invite in more fresh oxygen--and good vibes.

The following meditation can be as little as five minutes. It can also be done wherever you are, whenever you need it. Here's how:

Begin either in a comfortable seat, or by lying down on your back. Take a few easy breaths to get grounded in your physical body, then bring your awareness to your chest.

Imagine that you can feel the breath moving in and out of the Heart Space, as if the breath could pass through the skin of your chest. Each inhale is light and spacious, and each breath out a welcome release.

Let the breath smooth away any tightness or tension you might feel in the chest, ribs, and even the space behind and between the shoulder blades. The shoulders themselves might begin to slide down the back and away from the ears, as your breath becomes deeper and more easeful.

As you become comfortable with the slow yet steady pace of the breath, start to breathe in a sense of love and gratitude along with the oxygen. Then, as you breathe out, send a kind or loving thought out into the world along with your exhale.

Stay with this for five minutes, or as long as you’d like.