A deceptively deep practice. Who would have thought kneeling and crossed legs could be so much fun.
Padamasana (lotus pose) makes an appearance at the end (certainly not a requirement 🙂
The twists are very good for toning, releasing and lengthening the torso and pelvic area as long as you stay within your own capacity for movement.
Gently push your boundaries but not your limits.
If you have low back problems or knee issues, consult your Iyengar teacher first.
Practice with gentle awareness,
shine bright,
Lucy
Starting with a modified sun-salute as a gently dynamic way of easing into the beautiful side rotation of Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana. This pose will bring length to the hamstrings, spine, shoulders, lower back, and the sides of the abdomen. It provides a spinal twist that massages and stimulates the digestive system whilst also relieving fatigue. This pose brings me great joy and up-liftment.
Work within your own capacity
Shine Bright
Enjoy
NB: Not suitable suffering with low back pain or diarrhoea
Simple crossed leg and kneeling positions.
It was warm and this little sequence was the perfect way to get going on a lazy Sunday morning.
Stay gentle in your approach, observing a well lifted spine.
Follow the guidance of an experienced teacher if you have issues with your hips or knees.
Shine bright,
Enjoy!
Sometimes I just need to let my hair down.
This little session was completely un-planned, I went with what ever came next.
I love being up-side-down so there are inversions…
Do what you can, leave what you can’t.
Practice with awareness.
Shine bright
Enjoy
These standing poses will wake up the back of the legs.
Give the poses and your legs time. Muscles take a while to increase their length, so, just like you would not expect your muscles to grow immediately (think Pop-eye) don’t expect to be as bendy as Olive oil immediately either.
The stretch should feel more like a wide stretch in the main part of the muscle rather than a sharp pointy stretching sensation at the top of the leg near the buttocks.
Keep each stretch within your own capacity and enjoy the sensation of fresher feeling legs.
I’m tired. I don’t feel like doing anything. I especially don’t feel like anyone looking at me…
These are the times when our practice can become a real friend. It whispers to you “relax, take your time, be gentle, take care, breathe smoothly, breathe quietly, becalm”
This practice is perfect as a post-work, pre-evening practice.
Be gentle , listen to your body and don’t push.
Enjoy
Using the wall for support brings a whole new clarity to the leg work in this practice.
The wall gives stability allowing our balance to come more naturally, allowing the feeling within each pose to go a little deeper.
Working from Utthita Trikonasana through to sarvaganasana this practice takes just over an hour. I tried to guide you through savasana so many times but the noise over the hedge was just too much this time. So please settle yourself for savasana well at the end of this session
Shine bright
Lucy
Please work to your own capacity and be gentle with yourself 🙂
Who needs the Gym? Why work out when you can work in 🙂
A 30 minute focus on working towards chaturanga dandasana (the four limbed staff pose).
This pose is a whole body/mind work out.
Undo press-up patterns to engage new muscles, toning the backs of the arms, the core and the legs.
Not suitable if you are pregnant or have carpal tunnel syndrome.
The ability to play with warrior 3 requires an awareness to the standing leg, a good strong action through the arms and an aligned spine.
I hope this little introduction to this stamina building pose will introduce these actions to you.
Please use a good solid wall for the arm balances.
Shine bright
Enjoy
Lucy
I’ll be honest, Navasana (boat pose) does not come naturally to me.
Note to self, it’s a practice, not a perfect. Although it’s much easier than it used to be.
This practice draws attention to the hip, thigh and abdominal area, bringing with it strength and tone.
Please excuse my spelling mistake adha should have been ardha (half), you’ll hear it. As Homer Simpson once said “I am so smart, I am so smart , s m r t , s, m, a, r, t. ”
This sequence is not suitable for people with low back problems, menstruation or pregnancy.
Enjoy!
Lucy