by lucy

Half moon in half an hour

Fly me to the moon
Let me sing among those stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words…

I had this song running through my head during this practice, I love this pose! When you get it correct it resonates through out the whole body. In fact I reckon old blue eyes would have loved it too.
Body…. look after yours, it is the only one you’ve got.

Please be true,
In other words
Please love you!

Enjoy!

benefits

  • Strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks, and para-spinal muscles
  • lengthens hamstrings, groins and spine
  • Opens up the shoulders and chest,
  • Improves  balance and coordination
  • Improves digestion
  • Helps relieve stress

Cautions

  • Headache or migraine
  • Low blood pressure
  • Hamstring issues
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 by lucy

Yoga shorts mini dawn practice

Don’t let this mini practice deceive you.

I would like you to see that in just 4 minutes you can be inspired to do a “yoga short asana practice”

It actually took more than an hour, although only 4 minutes is seen here.

It started with silent meditational bare-foot  walk down to the beach, focusing on the breath and the sounds of nature.

Then came the small focus on asana (posture) meditation before finishing with standing ujjayi breathing.

I always try to finish with a focus on gratitude, whether prayer, meditation or contemplation. Being thankful is a great way to see the positives in life (even when it seems there are few).

 

Too often we think that yoga is just something to be done “on the mat” but in fact true yoga is a lifelong path of constant non-judgemental correction to improve our daily lives from moment to moment.

Gathering and releasing thoughts, letting go of the impulse patterns that no longer serve , is a great way to start the day .

No input from any outside source other than what nature can give to you.

Giving your “watcher within” the opportunity to be heard.

What a blessing.

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 by lucy

40 minute home practice number 1

This practice is to help develop confidence in building your own home yoga routine.
Start with this simple sequence of standing poses.
All you need is a mat, 2 blocks and a wall or a belt (it is always handy to have a blanket nearby too).
Hold each asana to your own capacity and regard your body with utmost reverence.
Enjoy
Shine bright
Lucy

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 by lucy

Parsvottanasna in more ways than 1

25 minutes, one pose; It went really quickly.
The back leg is crucial to keeping balance. Often we focus on the front foot because that’s the one we can see. Get the back leg as your anchor, balance the front foot and hey presto, you can start to play in this wonderful hamstring lengthener.
Not really suitable if you are nursing your hamstrings or if you are having lower back problems.
As always, work to your body’s own unique own capacity.

Love and light,
Lucy

ps Lucy means light… soon i’ll sign off love and Lucy 😉

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 by lucy

Tree pose variations

Tree pose, Vrksasana, is a fun standing balance. We prepare by working the shoulders…slightly left field I know, but it will become clear as you move through the sequence.
It is worth persevering with this posture, (even if you never make the full foot to thigh action) because as we age, our sense of balance can deteriorate.
Have fun and move within your own capacity.

Love and light
Lucy

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 by lucy

Standing balances into twists

This practice follows me through the standing balances Arhda and Parivrtta Chandrasasana (half moon and rotating half moon pose), into sun salutes and Jatara Parivatasana (abdominal rotation).
Please be aware this is not suitable for practice during pregnancy, menstruation or for anyone with low back/neck problems.
Move with compassion, awareness and within your own capacity.
Love and light
Lucy

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 by lucy

Simple Yoga With A Chair – Lockdown Day 6

My Tuesday early session has my silver-surfers in it. Silver haired, biologically young beans, all keen to stretch out and keep their bodies as mobile as possible.
Often I find the work much stronger than expected although we use props more than in a general yoga session.
This is a condensed version of some of the adaptations made in those sessions. I have lots fun with them, always laughing and having a go…
This one is for you, silver-surfers! Chair yoga…

Stay safe… stay well… keep yourself and the chair connected to the floor.

Love and light,
Lucy

(ps Lucy means light too!)

in Covid 19 Lockdown / Iyengar Yoga / Lifestyle 2 comments