Starting with seated twists then into standing poses (just a few), baby back bends then shoulder stand.
This practice should open your chest up, allowing a sense of freedom and room to breathe.
Move with your own sense of well being, not trying too hard, so that your breath remains natural.
Remember you can stop at any time and sit out of any pose you are unsure of.
Enjoy
Tame the tension in your neck and shoulders with this mobilizing practice.
Sit or stand as I guide you through poses including Garudasana (eagle) and Gomukhasana (cow-face pose).
Taking the shoulder joint through its range of movement with gentle thoughtful practice can improve your range of mobility in and around the neck, shoulders and upper back.
If you have any shoulder injuries or problems please check with your physio or health care provider before following this practice.
This practice will bring stability and strength , a 20 minute session with a little lie down at the end.
Use the equipment required to make your practice suitable for your body.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.
Standing poses will bring strength and balance.
A yoga practice does not have to be long, especially when you are short on time.
I hope you find this mini practice accessible.
Move within your own capacity.
Listen to the needs of your body.
Enjoy
The Peacock pose, forearm balance, had me foxed for years.
As I started to think about the name of the pose and consider a peacocks trait’s (my arms are explaining the way the peacock opens up it’s tail feathers in the title picture), it got my imagination rolling and I was off.
I believe that it’s not about the perfect pose, it is about the correct approach, physically and mentally.
Precautions and contra-indications;
as with all inversions, please avoid during menstruation or if the pose causes pressure in the head, ears or eyes. If you have; back, shoulder, or neck injury.
A heart condition or high blood pressure.
Migraine or head-ache.
Most importantly as with any yoga practice, listen to your own body, be kind and sensitive to your bodies needs.
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