and there's more...: Yoga Session

and there's more...: Yoga Session: Good morning ...I know its been ages since my last blog..and yes I've missed you all... The reason????  My yoga course. Its...

Yoga Session

Good morning ...I know its been ages since my last blog..and yes I've missed you all...

The reason???? 

My yoga course. Its taking up all my spare time...

and of course Xmas...( hope yours has been amazing )

Yoga Time

Havnt done yoga for a couple of days so looking forward to this.

little bit stiff this morning, probably slept awkward so bit tense in the shoulders, so 

hopefully this yoga session will help.

started on knees and deep inhale arms above head and then exhale in to childs pose ..

staying here for a couple of breaths, getting into the present moment… slowly 

connecting to the present moment, taking time to relax into the mat. ( my type of class)

rounding up into cat/cow for 2 and back to balasana and then repeat to cat cow …

warming the spine and shoulders…. slowly pushing up into half dog, stretching the arms

 and warming the joints.

We repeat this several times just coming into half dog with knees bent, allowing our 

bodies to warm and flex.

Back to all 4s and into cat cow then pushing up to downward facing dog… pushing 

through the shoulders and peddling out the heels..1st one then the other… holding here 

for 4 breaths.

then stepping feet to hands into forward fold from hips taking time to flex wrists…

Coming to table top with hands on shins, lengthening neck and spine…holding for 

2 breaths then back to forward fold for 2 breaths.

Repeating this for 3 sequences…flowing smoothly.

Then into low lunge raising arms up above head into small back bend for 2 breaths.  from here with front leg straight back leg, knee on floor, lower body over front leg and 

reach toward ankle…hold for a count of 2 breaths..strengthening calf and hamstrings. 

return to low lunge and repeat on opposite leg.

then return to forward fold….calves/hamstrings warm and stretched.

We repeated this for 6 sessions, getting deeper into the stretch each time and flowing 

more smoothly from one pose to the next.

by the end of this I was very warm and my body felt energised and tingly.

I love this feeling, it makes me feel like I am working hard.

We moved onto 8 rounds of sun sals.  I love doing the sun salutations.  It is something I 

am very familiar with hence I am able to focus on my breath…inhaling/exhaling, one 

breath for one move…. without having to pay too much attention to my teacher.

This makes the flow smoother.

Each round gives me an opportunity to get deeper into the stretch and to get the posture better.

we then rested for a couple of minutes in childs pose, relaxing completely.

Time for some seated twists, an opportunity to twist and massage our internal organs.  

This is fantastic for our digestive system and helps to beat bloat, especially as we don’t 

really get an opportunity to twist our bodies much in a normal day ( unless you are a 

dancer or fitness instructor )

And also an ideal time to do it when the body is warm.

we moved onto some seated wide legged forward folds

 ( which I am useless at!! ) diagram to right shows how it should look !!! lol

 but I do persevere and do as best as I can, but it is definitely not one of my favourites!

Then onto supine spinal twist, which I enjoy doing, again

 fantastic for

massaging internal organs and strengthening abs/obliques.

And we are already in a laying down position…so brings us 

nicely into savasana….AND BREATHE   ( for 10 mins )

feeling relaxed/energised/calm/relaxed….

and there's more...: yoga time

and there's more...: yoga time: Namaste The best and only way to start the day Excited to be going to my favorite #yoga class to date.... so its been 2 weeks d...

and there's more...: sirsasana/ headstand

and there's more...: sirsasana/ headstand: Sirsasana 1  +  2 ( headstand )    So when I heard we were doing a headstand work shop I was quietly optimistic… well lets face i...

sirsasana/ headstand

Sirsasana 1  +  2

( headstand )

  

So when I heard we were doing a headstand work shop I was quietly optimistic…

well lets face it…it was better than paper work!!!

Plus I actually enjoy doing them and I really want to improve my posture/alignment 

I prefer to do it tripod style ( 2 ) and find the other option really difficult ( so I guess I should be practising that one, but I think for now I will try to perfect my favourite one )

Class started with a few warm up poses, concentrating on specific body parts that would be involved in headstands.

Obviously avoiding over working and fatiguing  said parts

Core and shoulders/back need to be warm.

Downward facing dog to warm and stretch back and shoulders/neck and engage core.

Plank also good warm up, again warming shoulders/core.

Stretch into extended tadasana to stretch through shoulders/arms/neck/engage abs/stretch and lengthen through legs and engage glutes.

crow pose is also good to warm body in prep for headstand.

 

for beginners or those who prefer support, this may be practised by a wall.

Keeping elbows shoulder-width apart, place hands on mat, palms down, fingers wide, making sure that pinkies are touching the ground. Place head on the ground and push lightly into hands. Tuck toes, lift hips for headstand prep. Breathe here for 5 deep breaths or until comfortable to move to the next step.

Walk feet in as close to elbows as possible and then, one at a time, lift heels close to butt. Breath here for at least 5 deep breaths or as long as is comfortable.

When you feel stable and ready, start to extend feet straight up over shoulders and hips until legs are long. You can point or flex feet. Breathe and enjoy the challenge

Benefits include: increased blood flow/nutrients/oxygen to head/face/scalp

Increases focus/relieves stress/improves digestion/stimulates lymphatic system

Strengthens shoulders/arms/develops core strength

Hold for 1-5 mins depending on your ability. This can be done every day.

I read somewhere that it can prevent hair going grey...

so onwards and upside down it is 😉

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU HAVE NECK ISSUES WITHOUT PROFFESIONAL ADVISE

and there's more...: Only one weekend to go

and there's more...: Only one weekend to go: WOWWWWWWW Can not believe I have just one more yoga practical/theory weekend to do      Good morning!!!!    Yep that just about sums u...

Only one weekend to go

WOWWWWWWW

Can not believe I have just one more yoga practical/theory weekend to do  

   Good morning!!!!    Yep that just about sums up how I feel..and this

  and this    and this 

  ok ok may be thats a bit OTT   😉