Day 17
Timer on…
I had to adjust to the half hour version today because I waited too long with guests, etc. to begin, so I did the 36 Kapalabhati breath version per pose (as a reminder, that is my age, and the age my Dad was, when he had me…).
I like this 36 Kapalabhati breath version…it’s not very aerobic or cathartic, but I can really feel how the poses are progressing because I’m not forcing the pose to be held with 69 Kapalabhati breaths occurring. (And, again, just a reminder, but the Kapalabhati breaths are an advanced pranayama/breath practice…so, therefore, even more advanced with poses, considering most people just do this breath technique in Sukhasana/Easy Pose/Criss-cross-apple-sauce).
Everything seemed to work very nicely today, even Garudasana, which has been a bit of a “bugger” lately, but…today, the wraps happened quickly and the holding seemed effortless. I mean, I still don’t have my hips all the way forward in the right standing leg version, but it feels like I’m not long from experiencing that release.
So…back to the Manipura Chakra descriptions…we ended with the Flying Cow, yesterday, so…I suppose I will launch into the Camel and then the Sphinx/Cobra/Upward Facing Dog series (Also, friendly reminder, these quotes are from Noa Belling’s THE YOGA HANDBOOK):
· Camel/Ustrasana: “ ‘Ustra’ means ‘camel’ in Sanskrit. It also has been translated as meaning “that which casts light on the mind” and “that which can help to release knowledge when there is a quest for it.” This is where there is a connection with the camel: camels can survive in the desert by storing water and being able to tap into their store of nourishment when they need it. Likewise, we store knowledge in our minds, which we can use to nourish our spirits if we learn how to tap into it. The Camel revitalizes the mind.” “Benefits: Increases mobility in the spine and shoulders; increases the flexibility of the spine; nourishes and revitalizes the spinal nerves with a fresh blood supply; improves posture; stretches the abdomen, helping to reduce fat; expands the chest and helps to counter a hunched back and rounded shoulders; opens the throat area and relaxes the neck; it is helpful for asthmas, bronchitis and other respiratory complaints; and it is beneficial during pregnancy (although it must be done with caution).”
· Sphinx/Salamba Bhujangasana & Cobra/Bhujangasana & Upward Facing Dog/Urdhva Mukha Svanasana: “In Sanskrit, “Bhujanga” means “snake” or “cobra.” Bhujangasana is a posture that resembles a cobra.” “Benefits: Strengthens the back muscles; increases flexibility and mobility of the spine and vertebrae, particularly in the upper and middle back; increases blood circulation to the spine and nerves; stretches and strengthens neck and shoulder muscles; expands the chest and frees the throat area; strengthens and tones abdominal muscles and organs; helps digestion and can alleviate flatulence; strengthens the function of and revitalizes the kidneys and adrenal glands; and increases blood flow to the pelvic area, nourishing the organs.”
Well, that’s all for today…
Timer on…
I had to adjust to the half hour version today because I waited too long with guests, etc. to begin, so I did the 36 Kapalabhati breath version per pose (as a reminder, that is my age, and the age my Dad was, when he had me…).
I like this 36 Kapalabhati breath version…it’s not very aerobic or cathartic, but I can really feel how the poses are progressing because I’m not forcing the pose to be held with 69 Kapalabhati breaths occurring. (And, again, just a reminder, but the Kapalabhati breaths are an advanced pranayama/breath practice…so, therefore, even more advanced with poses, considering most people just do this breath technique in Sukhasana/Easy Pose/Criss-cross-apple-sauce).
Everything seemed to work very nicely today, even Garudasana, which has been a bit of a “bugger” lately, but…today, the wraps happened quickly and the holding seemed effortless. I mean, I still don’t have my hips all the way forward in the right standing leg version, but it feels like I’m not long from experiencing that release.
So…back to the Manipura Chakra descriptions…we ended with the Flying Cow, yesterday, so…I suppose I will launch into the Camel and then the Sphinx/Cobra/Upward Facing Dog series (Also, friendly reminder, these quotes are from Noa Belling’s THE YOGA HANDBOOK):
· Camel/Ustrasana: “ ‘Ustra’ means ‘camel’ in Sanskrit. It also has been translated as meaning “that which casts light on the mind” and “that which can help to release knowledge when there is a quest for it.” This is where there is a connection with the camel: camels can survive in the desert by storing water and being able to tap into their store of nourishment when they need it. Likewise, we store knowledge in our minds, which we can use to nourish our spirits if we learn how to tap into it. The Camel revitalizes the mind.” “Benefits: Increases mobility in the spine and shoulders; increases the flexibility of the spine; nourishes and revitalizes the spinal nerves with a fresh blood supply; improves posture; stretches the abdomen, helping to reduce fat; expands the chest and helps to counter a hunched back and rounded shoulders; opens the throat area and relaxes the neck; it is helpful for asthmas, bronchitis and other respiratory complaints; and it is beneficial during pregnancy (although it must be done with caution).”
· Sphinx/Salamba Bhujangasana & Cobra/Bhujangasana & Upward Facing Dog/Urdhva Mukha Svanasana: “In Sanskrit, “Bhujanga” means “snake” or “cobra.” Bhujangasana is a posture that resembles a cobra.” “Benefits: Strengthens the back muscles; increases flexibility and mobility of the spine and vertebrae, particularly in the upper and middle back; increases blood circulation to the spine and nerves; stretches and strengthens neck and shoulder muscles; expands the chest and frees the throat area; strengthens and tones abdominal muscles and organs; helps digestion and can alleviate flatulence; strengthens the function of and revitalizes the kidneys and adrenal glands; and increases blood flow to the pelvic area, nourishing the organs.”
Well, that’s all for today…
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