New Year

It is always good to get back to our yoga after a break.

In the new light of a cold January we make our new year resolutions. Let us be hopeful for the future.

To have hope we must be strong in both body and mind, this enables us to break old habits or traditions although at first we may be reluctant to do so.

Our yoga practice offers us the opportunity to work at keeping our body and mind strong. Each week we work through breathing and stretching techniques that benefit us. If we put some time aside for ourselves for some practice at home these benefits can be increased.

Some ideas

Take time out to sit and quietly focus on the breathing and observe it as it settles into your natural breathing pattern, then begin to lengthen the out breath. Aim to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, the breath should always remain comfortable, never forced.

Standing side stretch, arms up over head, then lengthen right side and side bend to right, breathing into the extended left side, back to centre then repeat other side.

Easy Breathing, 1 step forward, inhale and take arms over head as front knee bends, exhale, front leg straightens as arms come down, repeat 3 times each side.

Rag doll forward bend, drop chin onto chest and let the back roll down, bending the knees if needed until the back is completely released and you are hanging upside down like a rag doll, slowly roll the back up until you are standing upright.

Runners start  for working the legs and toes. Medium stride forward, bend the knee of the back leg to the floor. Keeping the knees working in a straight line raise and lower the knee, this should also stretch the toes of the back leg. Change legs and repeat.

Dog pose for working the toes and legs.  Starting from cat pose take the bottom back to the heels then lift the knees, keeping the knees bent.  Then lengthen the right leg, taking the heel towards the floor, then release the right leg and lengthen the left leg.

Back stretch using chair to support arms.  From standing fold forward reaching the arms forward to rest on the seat or the back of the chair, (depends on the flexibility of your hips and height as to which feels right for you) bend the knees as much as needed until you feel a stretch in the spine.

Have fun