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.

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.

Ease into the evening

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

Standing poses and inversions

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 🙂

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 😉

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

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

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!)