Summer Flow Sunday Session - Yoga Workshop

Summer Flow

Safe Backbends
Open Heart 

Yoga Workshop

 

Sunday 26th of June 2011

10am-12.30pm £25 



 

 Backbends are a wonderful way to create more space to breathe, energise the spine, broaden the chest...

We will start with a slow and gentle flow to warm up and get to know our body, understand safe alignment principles and then
explore a selection of backbends in different variations and modifications.

With a foundation of being grounded, aligned andmoving with the breath our backbends are opening our chest and heart with grace, awareness and spaciousness.

Please RSVP by email, in class or by PAYPAL (online)

What would you like to explore in you practice? Let me know on Facebook or email...

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The Warrior Dance

I trust you have embodied some of the strength and assertiveness of the Goddess Warrior Durga during your practice of the Warrior pose sequence discussed in the previous blog entry. 

 

Maybe you want to experience the flow, instructions and creative sequences with other yogis and yoginis? You can join my classes in Streatham on Tuesdays and Thurdays at 8pm and they are for all levels. Pregnant yoginis can join the prenatal classes at 6.30pm or Fridays at 1pm in Chelsea... There are more classes in the near future, including in the Parson Green area, so do look on my website (www.yogaembodied.com) and sign up for the newsletter.

 

 

Now, we will continue with the openness and strength which we felt in our Warrior Pose Two and play a little. Revisit the description for this pose and feel proper grounded and strong.
Have your right knee bend and your toes pointing in the same direction as your knee. Left leg is straight and strong. Hips are squared and spine lifting out of your pelvis - arms radiating to the side. Take a few breathes.

Come into Extended Side Angle Pose by bringing your right forearm to the right thigh. Stretch all the way from your left outer edge of your foot to the left fingertips reaching your left arm above your head. Create lots of space in your ribcage to breathe.

The Extended Side Angle Pose needs as much power as your Warrior Poses. Keep your legs as a support for your torso. Be very aware that your do not collapse into your right shoulder try instead to lift and rotate your chest upwards towards the sky. This is a beautiful pose which opens the hips with your own strength, it creates space in your ribcage to breathe better and requires firm and strong legs. When you are ready inhale back into your Warrior Two.

 

From Warrior Two slide your left hand down your left thigh as your lift your right arm upwards into Side Warrior. Once again your legs are strong and supportive allowing a lift through your chest. Let your shoulders relax and encourage your heart to face upwards. There is no pressure in your left hand - it is just guiding the movement and openness of the pose. Come out of this pose back into your Warrior Two.

Now dance your warrior dance. Either enjoy a few breathes in each pose or proceed with continuous movements co-ordinated with your slow and relaxed breath. Exhale to Extended Side Angle Pose and inhale lift into your Side Warrior then let your out-breath move you to Extended Side Angle and continue this flow of movement and breath. When your are ready change sides.

Gently warm up before this sequence and familiarise yourself with the yoga practice by joining a few classes or see a qualified teacher. Maybe start with some Sun Salutations, lunges and do your Warrior sequence and finish by resting in Shavasana or Childs Pose. If you have any health concerns please speak to your medical adviser or your yoga teacher. Have look at a Sun Salutation HERE. 

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Om magazine & Yoga classes

I was featured in the first edition of Om Magazine - have a look:

OM Magazine - article