Yoga should be something that is accessible. Think of it as stretching the body and clearing the mind. No experience is necessary to follow along here, it does however take the desire to try.
The main intent of yoga is union between mind, body and soul. The easiest way to start is to move your body, find your breath and marry the two. Take just a moment to follow these easy movements for Half Sun Salutation.
As I mentioned in a previous post, your breath or pranayama, is the foundation of your practice. Use this link if you have yet to see Breathing 101, a short intro to breath work.
Start in Mountain Pose
It is the foundation of alignment. Get in touch with your body here. Root down through your feet, lift your arches, unclench your toes. Lift that energy up through your legs, knee caps lift, strengthen your muscles. Ribs over pelvis, shoulders back, chin parallel to the earth. Grow as tall as can be here!
Inhale; reach arms overhead palms high, gaze may lift.
Exhale; forward fold.
Fold from your hips and maintain a flat spine as you descend. Slightly bend the knees, arms will sweep down and out to the side or place them in ‘prayer pose’ or Anjali mudra. Maintain the flat spine and when you reach half way down, bend your knees a little more, the back will slightly round, draw the chin towards your chest. Depth is not a concern here! It’s ok if you cannot touch your toes or if you're a human pretzel. This is the pose, that if done every day, you will see an increase in flexibility.
Inhale; half lift.
Place hands to your shins. This move creates space in the spine and relieves the hamstrings momentarily. Pause here on your first try, squeeze your shoulder blades together and fire up your core. Confirm you have reached a flat back.
Exhale; forward fold.
Inhale; sweep back up to standing through a flat back, hands rise.
Exhale; hands come together in prayer pose down to heart center.
Feel the effects...
I cannot express my gratitude enough to be able to share my stories lifestyle and yoga on Steemit and receive such kind words and support. Thank You! As always, the best discussion happens in the comments! See you there!
Namaste,
Miss Jessica