Shoulder Exploration and Strengthening!

Understanding your shoulders is key to avoiding injury in this relatively weak joint. Explore downward facing dog and dolphin pose to feel how all the muscles work together to keep you safe and strong.

A warm up is advised prior to this brief but powerful exploration... consider warm ups to open the spine (i.e. 6 movements of the spine, sun salutations), shoulders (i.e. sun breaths, arm circles, cactus/robot arms), and wrists (i.e.anjali mudra variations, wrist circles, tractioning wrists). These same practices as cool downs (plus poses like bridge and reclining twists) will help to prevent soreness the next day.

 This practice is helpful for all, but especially those beginning to explore arm balances.

End of the Summer Gentle Yoga Class

Last class of summer term for my Gentle Yoga class at NMT last night.  Still VERY hot outside and in so we stayed low to the ground and mellow.  A lovely end to a class meant to help de-stress and relax :-)  Here's a rough outline of the class ...  Let go and practice well!

Supported Fish (reclined with rolled blanket under spine)
Dirgha Pranayam (full yogic breath)
Puvana Muktasana (reclined knee to chest)
Supta Matsyendrasna (reclined knee down twist)
Sun Breaths (seated, arms up and down with breath)
Side Stretch (seated)
6 Movements of the Spine (cat/dog, c-curves, thread the needle)
Shalabasana (locust pose)
Kapotasana (pigeon pose, up and down, then resting pigeon)
Upavista Konasana (wide angle forward fold)
Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath)
Meditation on the Breath
Savasana
Namaste!

Yin Yoga for Hips and Low Back

Yin Yoga is a luscious form of practice, it always feels a little like getting a Thai Massage :-)  I tend to practice yin when I am in need of some serious restoration and rejuvenation.  With long held passive poses, it gives time to let go and feel on a deeper level (in every sense of the word).  Its also a wonderful way to release fascial restrictions (fascia is the tissue surrounding your muscles, if its tight your muscles have no space to expand and relax) and improve your flexibility and circulation. Here is a brief flow for hips and low back that I have been practicing lately, I hope you enjoy it...

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And for those of you that are local, join our monthly Yin class next Wednesday evening (8/1) 5:30-6:30.  RSVP to yogadelsolstudio@yahoo.com to reserve your spot!