Pose 2, Childs Pose, Balasana

What better pose to choose than this! Doing childs pose everyday is very centering, calming and the ultimate in letting go. If I have days I am having trouble turning within, I natually avoid this pose. As soon as you are there, turning within is so automatic. Taking that deep breath, and feeling the back and front body soften and let go. What a perfect time, to ask what my Dharma is for the day? How do I proceed from the mat.

Ways to modify: arms by your heels, hold your hands, hook hands over heels, support your sitbones if the stretch is too much for your back, blanket under forhead if it is too hard to bring forhead to the floor. Find a way to prop so that you are completely comfortable. Also, a chair, folding forward, sit bones firmly down.

I hope these few things help, enjoy your childs pose. Namaste'

Pose 1, Parsvakonasana

I would have to say this is one of my favorite standing poses, I like the strength and stability in the legs. My practice with this pose, focused on the abdominals, or the navel point. During the past two years I have been practicing pilates and have seen such a change in all of my mat work. Finding the engagement through the abdominals to support the pose, allows the pose the extend and open. As I did to each side, focusing on the navel point, engaging(drawing the navel in and up, like the zipper effect we want in pilates, allowed the chest to lift and open, the torso is freer to rotate and open so the head can turn to look up. Allowing myself to
focus here also took much of the weight out of the legs, and pressure from the knees.

In turn this gave me more freedom in the pose and allowed my mind to soften and feel more energized by the pose.

Peace and Light Denise

30 Days 30 Poses

I found the movie Julie and Julia, very inspiring and uplifting. Meryl Streep is one
of my favorite actresses and really brought Julia Child to life.

I was intrigued by Julie's project of doing all of Julia's recipes in one year. So this is a twist on that inspiring project. My own practice shifts all the time and I recently I really thought about what I may bring to my own practice as well as make it available to other practioners. So here we go 30 poses, 30 days.......

Enjoy, and I would love your comments. namaste'

Mula Bandha

As promised I am coming back to the practice of mula bandha and breath, I am giving you a link that summarizes this very well, enjoy!!

http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/yogaplus/article.aspx?id=3535