video

 by lucy

Egg-splaining Bakasana

Strengthen your arms, legs and abdomen.
Bakasana (birdpose) was re-named by my boys “baby handstands”.
It’s important to be able to feel the weight through the arms before you head towards lift off.
This practice will encourage you to learn to trust your arms, and connect the tail-bone towards the crown of the head, enabling this pose to take flight.
A posture journey through adho mukha svanasana (dog head down), uttanasana (forward bend) and malasana (garland pose), I hope this practice will bring a new insight into this beautiful little compact pose.

Contra-indications:
Pregnancy
Carpal tunnel syndrome

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

Sea where I teach

There is no instruction with this film, it was way too windy.
I thought it would be nice just for you to see one of our “home” beaches. Standing poses are presented here with a modified sun-salutation.
If you would like me to draw you some stick figures to go along with the video, pop me a message and I will email them back to you.

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

Yoga Unplanned – episode 3

I remember learning to take the weight on my arms for hand-stands during the yoga class, it was a pose that always made me want to leave the room.
My teacher would say “Just kick up!”. Of course, eventually I did.
This pose strengthens the arms, shoulders and wrists. Practice this with gentle repetition to gradually increase strength, so as to not strain the wrists etc.
Inversions are not advised through the Iyengar tradition during menstruation as it goes against the flow in the body at that time of the month.

in 1 hour practice / Beginners Yoga / Intermediate Yoga / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Seated postures – crossed legs and kneeling

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

in 1 hour practice / Beginners Yoga / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Yoga Unplanned – episode 2 – Get moving again

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

in 1 hour practice / Intermediate Yoga / Iyengar Yoga / video 1 comments
 by lucy

Wake up your hips

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!

in Covid 19 Lockdown / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 by lucy

Getting to know your hamstrings

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.

in Covid 19 Lockdown / Home / Iyengar Yoga / video / yoga practice 0 comments
 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.

in Covid 19 Lockdown / Iyengar Yoga / Lifestyle / video / yoga thoughts 0 comments