It’s been fun making the Yoga Anywhere! Take Five and Stretch Videos and I appreciate the positive feedback I’ve been hearing from you. I am so glad the videos are helpful! Some of you have reached out and said that you stand all day, and asked what you can do to ease the discomfort and pain that results. This week’s post is for you. If you’re a teacher, retail worker, doctor, nurse, waitresses, cashiers or other stander, here are some tips for you! A few of the consequences of standing at your job all day are; sore feet, varicose veins, stiff lower back, locking the knee joint, and just like our seated friends, stiff neck and shoulders. Here are some ways you can relieve these symptoms. 1. When you get home each evening take your shoes off and don’t wear them around the house. After removing your shoes use your […]
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Take Five and Stretch: Standing Crescent
Standing Crescent Stand with your feet hips width apart. Inhale, stretch your arms up and hold your right wrist with your left hand. Exhale lean to your left. Stand strong through your right leg and give a gentle tug on your arm. Breathe. Inhale stand up and repeat on the second side. Leg Variation: Cross the right leg behind the left past the midline. Arm Variation: Cross wrists and press palms together. Benefits: Stretches the legs and hip flexors, opens the side body, the back, the ribs, and makes space for the breath.
Continue ReadingThe Benefits of Shoulder Stand
Shoulder stand is a pose that is its own practice. A regular practice of this pose called the queen of all asana, has so many health benefits to living vibrantly. It’s name in Sanskrit is Sarvangasana which means “all limbs pose” and therefore benefits all areas of your body. The practice of shoulder stand: Reduces tension and stress in the neck and shoulders and cultivates healthy alignment. Improves complexion and reduces wrinkles due to the increased flow of blood to the face. Soothes the nervous system by calming the parasympathetic system and helps to balance those who are easily irritated, anxious, and prone to nervous breakdowns or anger. Boosts the immune system and reduces the tendency to get the common cold. Decreases varicose veins by draining the blood from the legs, pelvis, and belly. Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid helping the body to balance the hormones produced by these glands. Energizes […]
Continue ReadingHealthful Advice
Years ago I received some really good advice from one of my first yoga teachers and would like to pass it along to you. It was 1995 and I had a stressful corporate job. Some days there was so much pressure I began to experience a bit of anxiety. My wise yoga teacher suggested that when I felt stressed or simply experienced a drop in energy during my day to go into the restroom and get my head below my heart. Believe it or not I started to do this. I found myself going to the restroom and taking Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) breaks a few times a day. This helpful advice worked wonders! Next time you feel stressed or catch yourself looking for a sugar or caffeine boost during the day try inverting instead! For more on the benefits of inversions see my recent blog post. To learn how to cultivate […]
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