#sun salute

[bmarshafan-blog]

Yoga Meditation May Take you up to See the Infinity

[visually-corrupted]

Lesley-Ann Brandt via IG: @lesleyannbrandt

Sun Salute ☀️

[meystudies-blog]

Little stationary haul 🌞 I didn’t allow myself to go shopping until my exams were over, so I finally went today. The postcard says “sun salute”, which fits perfectly since I started doing yoga again a few weeks ago! I also bought double-sided and matte adhesive tape, let the bullet journaling begin 🙌🏻

[superbasschocobo]

Dat beat after the drop, jus immediately caused me to dance. hope you enjoy....

[yogawire]

Sun Salutation "A"

September is Yoga Month! So here is a look at the foundation of a basic flow class: Sun Salutation "A" via yoga-wire.com

Synchronize the breath with the movements. Typically, expansive or upward movements should be done on inhalations, and compressive or downward movements should be done on exhalations.

1. Begin in Mountain Pose, neutral standing position (not pictured). Spine long, shoulders relaxed, tailbone slightly tucked. Navel in.

2. Inhale, sweep arms out to the sides and up overhead. Touch the palms together. Look up.

3. Exhale, hinge at the hips, fold forward, and lower head towards the knees, hands to the floor or shins. Bend knees if necessary.

4. Half-lift on an inhale to lengthen spine. Fingertips to the floor or shins. Then, place palms on floor, step back to Plank Pose (top of push-up).

5. From Plank, exhale as you slowly lower down to Low Plank. Hug elbows close to the sides of the body.

* Note: If hips are falling faster than the shoulders, lower the knees to the mat until you build the strength to practice the pose safely.

6. Inhale to Upward Facing Dog. Firm the thighs, press into the palms, shoulders down, head back. (Option to do Cobra instead, with hips and thighs on the floor and elbows bent.)

7. Exhale and lift hips towards the ceiling, press heels towards the floor. Head relaxed. Press firmly into the palms, especially the root of the index finger. Look in between the feet or towards the navel.

* Note: Avoid collapsing into the shoulders. Spin elbows in slightly so the inner elbows aim forward towards the front of the mat.

8. From Downward Dog, inhale, step or lightly hop the feet in between the hands, then lift chest to lengthen the spine.

9. Exhale, fold forward, lower head towards knees. Again, bend the knees if necessary.

10. Inhale, sweep arms out an up. Touch the palms together. Exhale, as you draw the hands down to heart center.

[nyankoyoga-blog]

Yoga Studio app: my favourite yoga app ever

Several of you (my dear students) have asked about YouTube videos and apps so you can practice at home. Here's my absolute favourite: Yoga Studio. So worth the $4 for everything it does. And it does everything. It was the shining light that cleared the "uhhh...ok, what pose do I do now?!?" fog when I started practicing at home.

Not only does it have a large selection of pre-made classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced practices, but you can make your own classes by choosing your favourite poses AND (here's the best part) it will fill in the transition steps between the poses! The videos are easy to follow and there's the choice of cueing: pose name with guided instruction, just the pose name, just a bell to signal when to change poses, or silent. Music or no music (yes, you can use music from your own library.) AND the instructor's voice is lovely, non-jarring, and soothing. The video plays smoothly allowing you to see the instructor transitioning through each pose.

Don't know how long you've been holding a pose? No problem; you can set the hold time for each pose or use the recommended time. And all pre-programmed classes can be edited to remove or add poses, change the hold times, etc. The only thing this app doesn't do is allow users to share their custom classes as downloads. I wish it did so I could make weekly sequences for you guys to practice between classes! (Yes, I've sent the request to the creators.) But it WILL let you schedule your home practice and send you reminders, which is really helpful!

So skip that sugar packed Starbucks latte and download this app to keep you practicing between classes. 

For the record, I'm not receiving any sort of compensation for pimping out this app. I just love it and want to share it with you all! 

[nyankoyoga-blog]

fear and facing it head on (hopefully not head first...)

I've been looking for a new nemesis pose to work on and then this video by Tanya Boigenzahn came across my feed.  I'm always mesmerized by yogis hopping weightlessly forward and back during sun salutes, wondering how they don't shatter every toe during the landing, how they don't go too far forward and end up in a crumpled heap at the front of the mat...  I say "I can't do that" because of my damaged shoulders.  But I realized today that the truth is...I've never actually tried.  I have these reoccurring lucid dreams about being able to leap and momentarily defy gravity; these are my favourite dreams and they don't happen often enough for my liking.  I think yoga floating would be a great

I've been there in down dog, looking forward between my hands, bent my knees, and braced my shoulders, only to step forward before the actual lift off.  Fear stops me every time.  I'd like to think it's caution; after all, I did destroy my shoulders for 6 months from a single session of pushing my over achievers attempts at crow.  Too much physical strain and effort sets off my migraines.  My toes are super double jointed and fragile.  But no, it's fear. I know there are videos like this out there. I know I could ask my anatomy-happy shoulder-obsessed teacher to help me, but I don't. So many times I've heard and read how fear manifests as avoidance, but I don't think I really understood until just now.

Caution is smart, but fear is wasteful, especially since what I'm afraid of is the "what ifs" that may not even be an issue.  I won't know until I try...with guidance and mindfulness in regard to safety.  So I guess chandrasana will have to wait (suuuper not looking forward to tackling that one anyway....)  And I love how Tanya says to do each step "for a few weeks"...great reminder for those of us who are still learning that not all efforts will be rewarded with instant gratification.  The challenge begins...as soon as I'm done typing!