I like the way Richard Freeman explains breathing. He gives a nice mental picture and he can be kind of comical. Either way, there is something to learn here. Take a look:
With Love,
Donna
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Untitled
Yoga Poses to Relieve Anxiety
Having suffered from anxiety for many many years, I am completely sympathetic to those of you who are still on the healing path. I too, am on the healing path and have found some very soothing poses and techniques along the way to help calm the tightness in my chest, the pain in my neck and shoulders, and the worry and constant angst that accompanies the many symptoms of anxiety. The following are my:
10 Favorite Yoga Poses for Anxiety.
1. Breathing in and out of Left Nostril
2. Lay on Right Side
3. Childs Pose with a Bolster
4. Goddess Pose with a Bolster
5. Viparita Karani with a Bolster
6. Seated Forward Bend with a Bolster
7. Bridge Pose with a Bolster
8. Savasana with a Bolster
9. Plough Pose (For more advanced students)
10. Headstand (For more advanced students)
Find out more about headstands
Thursday, January 20, 2011
What is Hatha Yoga and How Can it Help Me?
I want to share a wonderful explanation of the benefits of Hatha Yoga taken out of Richard Freeman's book, "The Mirror of Yoga". I just love it when an author makes a connection with his readers by using metaphores which are easily absorbed and digested:
"Hatha means "sun" (ha) and "moon" (tha), and it can be used to describe any yoga practice that unites opposite patterns within the nervous system in order to open up the core of the body for our observation. A central component of hatha yoga is asana (yoga poses), the practice of yoga postures, in which we work the body; we turn it, stretch it, and explore its subtleties. Another component is Pranayama (breathwork), in which we stretch, unfold, refine, and closely observe breathing. Within these physical practices of hatha yoga we work the body like we knead dough when making bread, so that it becomes transformed from an amorphous lump of unconscious flesh and bones into something that is vital and full of life. Through this work we find that both the body and the mind wake up; they begin to unite with each other and with our everday experience of life. As we continue to practice we gradually begin to find that we can extract from the body all the juice of insight and consciousness that lies within it."
Here's a little clip of Richard showing off his gymnastic like sequence...
If you're new to yoga, don't let this scare you off. You don't have to be a pretzel or gymnast to enjoy the benefits.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Yoga Pose for Back Pain
Back Pain anyone? Sitting in a chair too long, work-related back stress, menopause, andropause, injury...it doesn't really matter where it comes from. We want relief! I know my back gets really stiff if I don't practice some gentle poses every day. Something as simple as a seated twist can loosen up the back and has other benefits as well. This pose just takes a few minutes and it can be practiced anywhere.
Take a look:
Benefits of seated twist (Sage Twist) are amazing:
Eases back pain
Strengthens your back and tones your abs, liver, spleen & intestine
Promotes flexibility in shoulders and chest
Tips:
Make sure toes of bent leg are on the ground.
Toes of straight let pointed upward.
Inhale before you twist, lifting your ribcage and relaxing your shoulders
Exhale as you twist and use your abs to twist. Try not to pull on your bent knee to twist. Use your muscles.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Yoga and Meditation for Menopause
Am I going Crazy???
That's a thought that's been running through my head over the last few years. I thought maybe I had a thryroid problem as it runs in my family. So I went and had a hormone panel test and found out that, yes, I am being graced with the presence of menopause. Not a little. Full blown. Thank God for yoga! Some of my symtoms include insomnia, anxiety, jelly-belly, pain in my lower back, etc. It is vital to exercise and eat well during menopause. I find that lifting weights is helping a lot, thanks to the advice of a friend. But yoga? Yoga and meditation is incredibly beneficial. Although the poses leave you feeling wonderful, the philosophy and lifestyle is what keeps my anxiety and insomnia at bay. I will write more about this soon, but for now, here's a simple pose that can help relieve back pain and stiffness.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Benefits of Downward Dog Yoga Pose
Downward Dog anyone???
So simple yet sometimes so difficult, yet as with anything, the more we practice it, the more we crave it.
Did you know in addition to all the physical benefits Downward Dog can:
Help calm anxiety
Help alleviate insomnia
Relieve stress
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