Christmas yoga

A busy time of year and a magical time for little ones.

Our yoga practice may take a back seat, but it is always there to help us through this busy time.

Quiet sitting and focusing on the breath can bring us back to a quiet state in a busy day. Sitting in a chair or on the floor with the back straight and the chest open, take the focus to the breath. Observe the breath and then introduce the counting of the breath in and out, with the intention to lengthen the out breath. Use the out breath to let go of tensions and thoughts. Continue with this breathing for 10 minutes, and observe how you feel compared to when you began. You could play some relaxing music at the same time.

Gentle stretches after a long journey or a day of sitting around. Roll out the yoga mat and laying on your back, bring one knee up and take it across the body into the universal twist, holding for 3 breaths, then repeat the other side. Follow this with bringing both knees up and working with the breath taking them to the left on the exhale, back to centre on the inhale and to the right on the exhale. To release the shoulders, follow this with the floor clock.

After some gentle stretches or quiet breathing you may then feel the urge to Salute the sun to bring energy back to the body.

Have a peaceful and happy Christmas