Hi guys! How’s your practice been going? As I shared in our last Bite, it can be really challenging to maintain a sense of order and consistency with our practice during this change of seasons. But it really is THE Perfect time to reestablish your rhythm and connection to your practice, especially as the holidays draw near. There will be a million reasons not to practice – holiday shopping, parties, cooking, baking – so set the tone now and make your practice a regular, realistic, and yet not-negotiable part of your schedule.
To help you with that, here are a couple of practices (standing and sitting) that I’ve been exploring to help me feel grounded, especially on those really busy, crazy days. (I had hoped to send a video link, but alas technology got the better of me, so for now we’ll kick it old school, and I’ll keep working to smooth out the technological hiccups!)
Throughout this whole practice, remember to breathe steadily and gently and to move slowly and smoothly.
Moving slowly and mindfully, as you inhale sweep the arms out and up, exhale and fold from your hips into Uttanasana (standing forward bend). Continue to hug the block here, maintain that drawing in to the midline feel. Breathe 3 breaths in Uttanasana.
From here, still holding the block, take little steps into Downward Dog. Feel your hands rooting down, and draw your arms up out of that foundation. Hug the block and draw your inner thighs back. Ground your big toe mounds as well, and try to press back and down through your outer heels. Find steady breaths here to help create more steadiness, stability, and groundedness.
Inhale your knees to the ground, remove the block, and sit your hips on your heels, head to the ground in Child’s pose. Make sure your head is resting on the ground, your arms, or even a block to help bring quiet to the brain. Stay for 3 breaths.
If you want a more active practice, move slowly and fluidly into downward dog. From downward dog you can take a lunge on each side, and then a high lunge on each side (arms up alongside your ear) remembering to hug the inner thighs towards each other to maintain that sense of stability and drawing in. Feel free to add or skip regular vinyasas of plank and baby cobra.
For a less active practice simply roll up slowly from Child’s Pose to sit on your shins (or a block). Take your hands behind you, prop up on our fingertips, and as you inhale lift your hips up off your heels. Root your shins and tops of feet down as you lift up. Continue to hug your inner thighs gently towards each other. Widen through your collarbones and hug your inner shoulder blades in toward the spine and the bottom tips of your shoulder blades in towards the back of your heart. Stay 2-3 breaths and come down. Feel free to do this (mini-camel/mini-Ustrasana) 1-2 more times if you like.
Lie on your back and take rest in Savasana anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
Enjoy and let me know how it’s going!
Peace, Love, and Bliss,
Beth
p.s. Want a custom Bliss Bite to answer your yoga, reiki, and wellness questions? Email or Facebook me!