DAY 176 - (Week 5 Day 1 of 8 week challenge) "Facing the Unknown"
Half way through my book, yeah!! This week's focus is called "Facing the Unknown," which is doing inverted poses. Some people have a fear of going upside down, especially in yoga postures. This week helps to give you safe and playful variations of some of the inversions, like handstand and shoulderstand. It's not important that you can fully do them, but focusing on your discovery of how you can relax in a possible threatening situation and having a sense of fun towards them.
I personally love inversions! I adore handstands and find it fun to do them often, even randomly out in public sometimes. When I worked with children, this was a fun thing for me to do for them because they loved to watch me go upside down. When I do handstands, I feel like such a kid! They make me smile, giggle, and feel young again!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - Day 174 & 175
DAY 174 & 175 (Week 4 DAY 6 & 7)
My much needed breath awareness, meditation and relaxation this weekend! Ahhhhhh....
My much needed breath awareness, meditation and relaxation this weekend! Ahhhhhh....
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 173
DAY 173 - (Week 4 DAY 5)
Learning Wide Angle Twist and Seated Crossed-Legs Twist. One thing I've had to remind myself all week, and ALWAYS when doing twists, is to keep my chin up when twisting. It is our natural instinct to tilt our head down when we twist. Remember to keep that chin up, sit up tall to lengthen the spine, and twist through the core and not the shoulders.
Learning Wide Angle Twist and Seated Crossed-Legs Twist. One thing I've had to remind myself all week, and ALWAYS when doing twists, is to keep my chin up when twisting. It is our natural instinct to tilt our head down when we twist. Remember to keep that chin up, sit up tall to lengthen the spine, and twist through the core and not the shoulders.
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 172
DAY 172 - (Week 4 Day 4)
Learning Marichi's Twist 3 and Lord of the Fishes Pose. I just love the name "Lord of the Fishes Pose..." This pose is also a great one recommended to me for my Ulcerative Colitis! So all you out there who suffer, this is one for you to do daily.
Learning Marichi's Twist 3 and Lord of the Fishes Pose. I just love the name "Lord of the Fishes Pose..." This pose is also a great one recommended to me for my Ulcerative Colitis! So all you out there who suffer, this is one for you to do daily.
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 171
DAY 171 - (Week 4 Day 3)
Learning the Reclined Twist. These are nice because when you lie on the ground, your spine naturally elongates, providing a good orientation from which to twist. They are also very relaxing for me. My husband has been out of town part of this week (one reason I have slacked on my posts!), but it has been very quiet once my son has fallen asleep. It's been my favorite yoga time this week. :)
Learning the Reclined Twist. These are nice because when you lie on the ground, your spine naturally elongates, providing a good orientation from which to twist. They are also very relaxing for me. My husband has been out of town part of this week (one reason I have slacked on my posts!), but it has been very quiet once my son has fallen asleep. It's been my favorite yoga time this week. :)
Yoga Everyday For a Year - DAY 170
DAY 170 - (Week 4 Day 2)
Learning Simple Twist and Marichi's Twist 1. Can I just say I LOVE twists! They feel so good to me, like I am ringing out the "nasties" in my body. This sequence also includes a Core Strengthening series which is really nice!
Learning Simple Twist and Marichi's Twist 1. Can I just say I LOVE twists! They feel so good to me, like I am ringing out the "nasties" in my body. This sequence also includes a Core Strengthening series which is really nice!
Yoga Everyday for a Year - Day 169
DAY 169 - (Week 4 Day 1) "Allowing Receptivity"
This week is all about "Twists!" Basically it is teaching us that when we hit a barrier, we need to learn not to resist, but to observe, breathe, and asses. In twists, many of us come up against a wall of physical and emotional tightness. We sometimes resist and hold our breath. We need to learn to relax, find space to inhale into and release. The "twists" can be very cleansing for the body and mind; flushing the digestive tract and improving circulation.
I look forward to this week!
This week is all about "Twists!" Basically it is teaching us that when we hit a barrier, we need to learn not to resist, but to observe, breathe, and asses. In twists, many of us come up against a wall of physical and emotional tightness. We sometimes resist and hold our breath. We need to learn to relax, find space to inhale into and release. The "twists" can be very cleansing for the body and mind; flushing the digestive tract and improving circulation.
I look forward to this week!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 168
DAY 168 - (Week 3 DAY 7)
Today the focus was learning Passive Backbend and Upward-Facing Bow Poses. We began with Sun Salutations first to help coordinate the body, mind, and breath. Bow pose is a powerful backbend, so by doing Passive Backbend pose after this, which helps let go of the bindings in the front body.
Today the focus was learning Passive Backbend and Upward-Facing Bow Poses. We began with Sun Salutations first to help coordinate the body, mind, and breath. Bow pose is a powerful backbend, so by doing Passive Backbend pose after this, which helps let go of the bindings in the front body.
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 167
DAY 167 - (Week 3 DAY 6)
Learning Camel pose and Reclined Hero Pose tonight. Camel is one of my favorite backbends and I love how it opens my heart and strengthens my back. I feel a little uncomfortable in Reclined Hero, so I never stay in it for long. When you feel uncomfortable in a pose, it's best to take it very slow and practice it often to feel more comfortable in it.
Learning Camel pose and Reclined Hero Pose tonight. Camel is one of my favorite backbends and I love how it opens my heart and strengthens my back. I feel a little uncomfortable in Reclined Hero, so I never stay in it for long. When you feel uncomfortable in a pose, it's best to take it very slow and practice it often to feel more comfortable in it.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 166
DAY 166 - (Week 3 DAY 5)
The focus today was learning Bow Pose and Supported Bridge. Bow Pose is a very active pose for the entire body. This strongly works the muscles in your back and legs. I love Supported Bridge pose. Since you use a block, it is not as active as regular Bridge pose. It is a nice way to open the hip flexors and thighs.
The focus today was learning Bow Pose and Supported Bridge. Bow Pose is a very active pose for the entire body. This strongly works the muscles in your back and legs. I love Supported Bridge pose. Since you use a block, it is not as active as regular Bridge pose. It is a nice way to open the hip flexors and thighs.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAYS 164 & 165
DAY 164 & 165 - (Week 3 Day 3 &4)
Again I chose to do my relaxation and meditation days in the middle of the week. I would prefer the weekend to do this usually, but sometimes life happens and we need to adjust! :)
Again I chose to do my relaxation and meditation days in the middle of the week. I would prefer the weekend to do this usually, but sometimes life happens and we need to adjust! :)
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 163
DAY 163 - (Week 3 Day 2)
The focus today was on learning Cobra Pose and Upward Facing Dog. These 2 postures are good at strengthening the muscles in your back. They are also wonderful for learning how to lengthen your spine from the strength of your legs.
The focus today was on learning Cobra Pose and Upward Facing Dog. These 2 postures are good at strengthening the muscles in your back. They are also wonderful for learning how to lengthen your spine from the strength of your legs.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 162
DAY 162 - (Week 3 Day 1 of 8 week challenge)
Learning the postures tonight for this week's focus: Opening into Vulnerability, which is focusing on backbends. Backbends are the yoga poses that will re-balance your spine, shoulders, neck, and pelvis. They also open the door to your heart chakra, which is the emotional center of your body. Opening the door to your heart chakra means having both a willingness to connect to your emotional center, and a willingness to connect to the outside world from your emotional body.
Learning the postures tonight for this week's focus: Opening into Vulnerability, which is focusing on backbends. Backbends are the yoga poses that will re-balance your spine, shoulders, neck, and pelvis. They also open the door to your heart chakra, which is the emotional center of your body. Opening the door to your heart chakra means having both a willingness to connect to your emotional center, and a willingness to connect to the outside world from your emotional body.
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 161
DAY 161 - (Week 2 DAY 7)
Tonight's focus: Learning how the breath works during Sun Salutations by using one breath per movement and flowing with the breath. I love to flow with the breath...feeling free!!
Tonight's focus: Learning how the breath works during Sun Salutations by using one breath per movement and flowing with the breath. I love to flow with the breath...feeling free!!
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 160
DAY 160 - (Week 2 DAY 6)
I did my Yoga sequence tonight out on the deck. I love when I get a chance to get my yoga time outside in the fresh air! The connection of being in nature really relaxes me and help me clear any tension and stress. Today we focused on Upward-Facing Dog Pose. This pose relies on your leg strength because the legs are the foundation for the backbending of your spine, so you do not strain your back.
I did my Yoga sequence tonight out on the deck. I love when I get a chance to get my yoga time outside in the fresh air! The connection of being in nature really relaxes me and help me clear any tension and stress. Today we focused on Upward-Facing Dog Pose. This pose relies on your leg strength because the legs are the foundation for the backbending of your spine, so you do not strain your back.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 159
DAY 159 - (Week 2 DAY 5)
Today's focus is learning Push-up pose during Sun Salutations. It is one of the most challenging poses in the Sun Salutation because it takes a lot of arm strength if you are doing it correctly. In the sequence today we practice Mountain pose, then Plank pose to learn the proper body alignment. Once you have been doing these for awhile, you get very and nice strong toned arms and shoulders.
Today's focus is learning Push-up pose during Sun Salutations. It is one of the most challenging poses in the Sun Salutation because it takes a lot of arm strength if you are doing it correctly. In the sequence today we practice Mountain pose, then Plank pose to learn the proper body alignment. Once you have been doing these for awhile, you get very and nice strong toned arms and shoulders.
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAYS 157 & 158
DAY 157 & 158 - (Week 2 Day 3&4)
I had family in town this week, so I am a little slow on posting the last few days. Since I had family here and a couple very late nights, I chose to do Day 3 & 4 as the breathing and meditation days. So this weekend I will do the sequences instead.
I had family in town this week, so I am a little slow on posting the last few days. Since I had family here and a couple very late nights, I chose to do Day 3 & 4 as the breathing and meditation days. So this weekend I will do the sequences instead.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 156
DAY 156 - (Week 2 DAY 2 of 8 week challenge)
Feeling exhausted today! I couldn't wait for my yoga time... A sequence with 4 mini sun salutations and 2 full ones, spending longer in Downward Facing Dog, followed by a few standing poses from last week. Relaxation pose was heaven tonight!
Feeling exhausted today! I couldn't wait for my yoga time... A sequence with 4 mini sun salutations and 2 full ones, spending longer in Downward Facing Dog, followed by a few standing poses from last week. Relaxation pose was heaven tonight!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 155
DAY 155 - (Week 2 Day 1)
This week's theme is "Awakening Connection." It's about linking poses together through movement and realizing how each pose is connected. "By taking time to do a yoga practice, you give yourself the opportunity to digest your experiences and therefore awaken your consciousness of connection." -Rodney Yee
The first day I learn the poses for the week. The focus this week is connecting the poses of Sun Salutations. I went through each pose individually, then at the end I practiced a couple Sun Salutations linked together. I love linking postures together through flowing movements and it is how I teach the majority of my classes.
This week's theme is "Awakening Connection." It's about linking poses together through movement and realizing how each pose is connected. "By taking time to do a yoga practice, you give yourself the opportunity to digest your experiences and therefore awaken your consciousness of connection." -Rodney Yee
The first day I learn the poses for the week. The focus this week is connecting the poses of Sun Salutations. I went through each pose individually, then at the end I practiced a couple Sun Salutations linked together. I love linking postures together through flowing movements and it is how I teach the majority of my classes.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 153 & 154
DAY 153 & 154 - (Week 1 Days 6/7)
Two days of breath awareness and meditation. This was a good opportunity for me to reflect on the week's focus of "Being Present." As the week went on, I tried to remain in the present moment not only when doing yoga, but during my everyday activities. I felt really happy this week as a result!
Two days of breath awareness and meditation. This was a good opportunity for me to reflect on the week's focus of "Being Present." As the week went on, I tried to remain in the present moment not only when doing yoga, but during my everyday activities. I felt really happy this week as a result!
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 152
DAY 152 - (Week 1 Day 5 of 8 week challenge)
Happy Friday! Today's focus was learning Pyramid Pose and Half Moon. I have always loved Half Moon. It is a standing balance pose; and I always feel so open and free when I am in the full version of this posture.
Happy Friday! Today's focus was learning Pyramid Pose and Half Moon. I have always loved Half Moon. It is a standing balance pose; and I always feel so open and free when I am in the full version of this posture.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Yoga Everyday for a Year - DAY 151
DAY 151- (Week 1 Day 4 of 8 week challenge)
Today's focus was learning Warrior 1 and Tree Pose. I did my sequence while my husband was making dinner and my son was crawling all over my mat and playing with his toys. A little hard to stay totally present on yoga, but I enjoyed being present in the moment of family time! :)
Today's focus was learning Warrior 1 and Tree Pose. I did my sequence while my husband was making dinner and my son was crawling all over my mat and playing with his toys. A little hard to stay totally present on yoga, but I enjoyed being present in the moment of family time! :)
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