by lucy

Release your shoulders

If you have ever tried to surf, you will know how tight the shoulders can become, even after just a few hours of paddling.
Or, if you have spent the day driving or even sitting at your computer for a long time. This practice is for you.
It’s short and sweet, introducing mobility around the neck, shoulders and upper back.
Please remember body proportion plays a role in how easy certain poses are, e.g. The entwined arm posture; I have very long arms and narrow shoulders, so, I did not have to work so hard to achieve this pose for myself.
After a regular shoulder releasing practice, you will enjoy a greater range of motion and sense of ease around the upper body.
Pay attention to your body’s needs/requirements. Enjoy looser shoulders.
Love and light,
Lucy

If you have any shoulder injuries, get the guidance of a qualified yoga therapist or physio before practicing this sequence, as some of the moves may not be appropriate.

in General ability / Mini practice - 20 minutes or less / video / Yoga for surfers / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Twisting up Trencrom

Before the lock-down rules tightened I took my mat up to the shelter of the boulders up on Trencrom.
The back of the hill was still frosty and the wind was icy cold but the sun gave the gift of summer.
Seated twists are a marvellous way to keep your socks on, if, like me you are not so keen on chilly toes.
The twists head towards a simple forward bend then onto the arm balance Eka Hasta Bhujasana to bring the awareness back to the core of the body, re-balancing with Adho mukha svanasana (dog pose) and viparita karani (inverted energies pose).
No need to leave your home to practice this one, my thick yoga mat felt quite cumbersome and heavy.
Please pay attention that you practice these poses with care and attention, with your own needs and requirements in mind.
Love and light,
Lucy

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 by lucy

Just 3 poses

Utthita trikonasana, Ardha Chandrasana and Anantasana, aka; Triangle, Half moon and the Blissful pose are the asanas that take centre stage in this practice.
Although I am using ropes you do not need to, but a wall is super handy for balance and proprioception (your sense of where you are in space).
As you get more used to inhabiting your body during your practice you will start to feel the subtleties of each posture and the links that connect them together too.
This practice gets better with repetition, a good memory and a firm idea that you are approaching it, once more, with a beginners mind.
You will need a mat, wall, some blankets, a brick, a belt (ropes are ace but not necessary) and the all important peaceful heart.
Gently move from one pose into the next, paying careful attention to the body and the support that it needs.
Enjoy your practice.
Love and light,
x Lucy

in 30 minurte Practice / General ability / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Chair pose with a chair

A few nights ago I was on Facebook chatting on the ‘Women with camper-vans’ forum about the idea that a yoga holiday for women with camper-vans might be a nice idea. A lady asked if she do the yoga from a chair. She thought once down on the floor getting up might be difficult. I promised a little video that could be done using a chair (I used a bench in my garden, the weather was just too nice)
There is a lot of ‘Chair pose’.
It’s just a 20 minute practice, but I waffle a bit about G7 summit to begin with. I start teaching the yoga at about a minute in.
Work to your own capacity, be kind to yourself and Enjoy being in your body.
Love and light,
Lucy

in 20 minute practice / Beginners Yoga / General ability / Iyengar Yoga / Lifestyle / Mini practice - 20 minutes or less / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

A gentle practice for happy knees

Spending a little bit of time observing the body pays dividends.
When the knees are tight, often they need a little more time to allow the tissues to release. Practice and repetition also helps.
Imagine you are giving your knees a treat, listen to them carefully, explore gentle movement, find out what works for each knee individually. Who knows you might even find that the hamstrings will release a little too 🙂
I have been practicing this sequence for a little while now and I find it super relaxing.
Stay with soft attentive movement, if something does not feel quite right just accept it, release and maybe try again.
I usually find that if I gently try a second time, movement comes a little easier.
Listen to your and body practice with care.

Love and light,
Lucy

in 30 minurte Practice / Beginners Yoga / General ability / Iyengar Yoga / Therapeutic practice / video 0 comments
 by lucy

Just another Yoga practice…

Here it is… just another Yoga practice, with a boat.
Yes you guessed it, Navasana is there, just at the end. Maxine Lunn does this pose beautifully, I always have a picture of her in my head, just in front of st Micheal’s mount.
A boat is firm, well balanced and floats. Just a thought for when you attempt the pose.
Enjoy your practice, pay attention to your body and be sensitive to your needs.
Love and light,
Lucy

in 40 minute practice / General ability / Lifestyle / video / yoga practice 1 comments
 by lucy

Campervan Yoga #1

This little sequence is designed to get your head around practicing in a small space. Maybe your standing pose stance will be a little narrower, maybe your space will not allow you to stretch your arms over your head… who knows, only your practice area will let you know.
The poses here are all simple ones I have taught before, and are suitable for a regular practice.
Look around and modify your practice to suit your space. If using support make sure that it is strong enough and will hold you.
Most importantly, maintain your sense of humour.
Love and light,
Lucy

in 30 minurte Practice / Beginners Yoga / General ability / Iyengar Yoga / Lifestyle / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Simple Salabhasana in St Ives Sunshine

Some of you know I have been away for a while. I slipped and fell, messing up the nerve supply to my left leg. It’s now no longer numb but lacks strength and now needs some work 🙂
On the flip side I had a rather indulgent month or so, focusing on my yoga practice and healing journey, I had so many messages from students and friends, many I know and some I do not. I have tried to respond to each one.
Whilst making this little film I remembered at the end to thank Emilie because I had not yet responded to her. Salabhasana (the locust pose) is currently one of my firm favorites, bringing much needed support to the back body. This simple back bend would be one for the emergency (bug-out bag).
If you have read this far, thank you for your support.
Look after yourself, be kind and attentive to your body’s needs.
Love and light,
Lucy

in 30 minurte Practice / Beginners Yoga / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Backbends on Tresco

It was so windy today I decided to pull a video out from my last visit to Tresco (one of the Scilly Isles).
The video was filmed just below the Block House looking towards Old Grimsby, a stones throw away from the introductory photo.
I think this island is the most beautiful place in the world (mainly because I feel so at home there).

This practice is suited for those who have a stronger practice (definitely not for beginners ), happy with back-bending asana and know their bodies well.

The sequence includes side-bow pose, Parsva Dhanurasana, and dropping back from head balance into bent legged Viparita Dandasana. You are welcome to miss these out.

As always; listen to your body’s inner wisdom and pay close attention to it’s requirements. Move safely and carefully.
love and light,
Lucy

in 40 minute practice / Advanced Yoga / Intermediate Yoga / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments