Yoga Anywhere

Relief From Standing

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 […]

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.

Healthful 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 […]

Kitchen Sink Yoga

Here’s a great stretch to start out your day. Most of us wake up a bit stiff from sleep. My yoga starts as soon as I get out of bed, I have found creative ways to stretch as I go about my morning routine . Tomorrow while you are making your coffee or tea, use the kitchen sink for a juicy stretch and traction of your spine! 1. Hold on to your kitchen sink, lean your hips back, and straighten your legs. Squeeze your shins (lower legs) toward one another to stabilize Lift your arms, rib cage, and belly Breathe as you lengthen your spine 2. Walk your feet toward the sink and bend your knees. Sit back as if you were sitting into a chair. Lean back and traction your spine 3. Walk your feet in even closer and drop your pelvis down to a squat. Hang your hips […]

Three Tips to Open Your Shoulders

Poor posture while sitting at a desk or driving can create tightness in the front chest, back pain, and other physical side effects. Here are three stretches to open your upper arms and front chest, engaging and strengthening your back, and improve your breathing. Try them out and start improving your posture and your health today! 1. Shoulder Stretch at a Wall: Stand with one side facing the wall. Take your arm behind you palm up, little finger side of the hand on the wall. Make sure your arm is as high as your shoulder. Press your hand into the wall and pull as if you were to drag your hand forward to engage the muscles. Then lean forward and slightly turn away from the wall until you feel a stretch. Variations and Modifications: a.) Step the foot closest to the wall forward and lunge. b.) Work with your elbow […]