Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (Part I)
Another lovely morning with the slightly new routine.
My normal yoga routine always had me waking up at 4:15AM (for an hour of coffee and contemplation), and then beginning my practice at 5:15AM-5:30AM. This typically had me finished by 7:00AM.
My new routine has me a bit less of an "early bird" and gets me on my mat later in the morning.
While I went through a full practice yesterday, and put quite a bit of focus and energy into my closing backbend sequence, I do not feel any soreness or stiffness this morning. It'll be a balmy 80 degrees in St. Louis today (that's 26 degrees Celsius), and I believe the heat helps muscles and bodies recover from physical strain......that's what I think but, if you've read this blog with any frequency, you'll know that I'm a terrible know it all.
Enough chit-chat, time to sweat it out....
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (Part II),
I'm writing this post-practice update having just come out of Savasana/Corpse Pose.
Heat definitely has something to do with it all.....today, the room where I practice was heated up by my activity, and by the weather outside; it made a big difference in my practice. I was fluid, malleable, and muscles/joints, etc. agreed with whatever I was asking them to do.
To the right, you'll see me executing the first pose of my closing sequence; Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, also referred to as Bridge Pose.
This isn't the first backbend I practice, as multiple Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana, also referred to as Upward Dog, are part of my Sun Salute Sequence, but the pose shown at right is the first of my more difficult backbends.
This Bridge Pose is the warm up before going into my full backbend; Urdhva Dhanrusana, also called Chakrasana, Wheel Pose, or Upward Bow, shown below.
I execute a sequence of three Bridge Poses, before feeling warmed up enough to complete Urdhvha Dhanurasana/Wheel Pose/Upward Bow. Upward Bow is one of my favorite poses, as I believe it truly helps you "age in reverse"......once you've gotten the hang of it. Upward Bow helps your digestion, your posture, your attitude/demeanor, your happiness, etc. It is also the most strenuous, challenging, and difficult pose in my typical sequence. NOTE*** Upward Bow is the only pose I have ever injured myself in, so proceed with caution.
Today's humble, and novice looking, Upward Bow is shown at right. I go through a sequence of three Upward Bows before closing out my practice. A fully developed Upward Bow has arms completely straightened, with shoulders aligned directly over the wrists; this takes time to build up to.
Today's Upward Bow, while always an excellent posture to go through, is not textbook, and would need to be deepened significantly before any other cool backbends (like Scorpion Pose) should be attempted.
After I complete my sequence of three Upward Bow postures, I begin to close out my practice and move towards Savasana/Corpse pose. The closing sequence after my backbends includes shoulder stands to invert, as well as a wall assisted hand-stand, show at right. I can typically maintain a hand-stand without a wall for about 10 seconds before loosing my balance and having to come down. This handsand is the last pose before I begin my "cool down" with Yoga Mudra, additional Pranayama exercises, and, finally, the blissful Savasana/Corpse pose, as the death of my practice.
It's the end of April, and I believe warmer weather is here to stay. Here's to more fluid mornings on my mat!
Namaste
Another lovely morning with the slightly new routine.
My normal yoga routine always had me waking up at 4:15AM (for an hour of coffee and contemplation), and then beginning my practice at 5:15AM-5:30AM. This typically had me finished by 7:00AM.
My new routine has me a bit less of an "early bird" and gets me on my mat later in the morning.
While I went through a full practice yesterday, and put quite a bit of focus and energy into my closing backbend sequence, I do not feel any soreness or stiffness this morning. It'll be a balmy 80 degrees in St. Louis today (that's 26 degrees Celsius), and I believe the heat helps muscles and bodies recover from physical strain......that's what I think but, if you've read this blog with any frequency, you'll know that I'm a terrible know it all.
Enough chit-chat, time to sweat it out....
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (Part II),
I'm writing this post-practice update having just come out of Savasana/Corpse Pose.
Heat definitely has something to do with it all.....today, the room where I practice was heated up by my activity, and by the weather outside; it made a big difference in my practice. I was fluid, malleable, and muscles/joints, etc. agreed with whatever I was asking them to do.
 |
| Setu Bandha Sarvangasana- Bridge Pose |
This isn't the first backbend I practice, as multiple Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana, also referred to as Upward Dog, are part of my Sun Salute Sequence, but the pose shown at right is the first of my more difficult backbends.
This Bridge Pose is the warm up before going into my full backbend; Urdhva Dhanrusana, also called Chakrasana, Wheel Pose, or Upward Bow, shown below.
I execute a sequence of three Bridge Poses, before feeling warmed up enough to complete Urdhvha Dhanurasana/Wheel Pose/Upward Bow. Upward Bow is one of my favorite poses, as I believe it truly helps you "age in reverse"......once you've gotten the hang of it. Upward Bow helps your digestion, your posture, your attitude/demeanor, your happiness, etc. It is also the most strenuous, challenging, and difficult pose in my typical sequence. NOTE*** Upward Bow is the only pose I have ever injured myself in, so proceed with caution.
 |
| Urdvha Dhanurasa/Chakrasana- Upward Bow or Wheel Pose |
Today's Upward Bow, while always an excellent posture to go through, is not textbook, and would need to be deepened significantly before any other cool backbends (like Scorpion Pose) should be attempted.
After I complete my sequence of three Upward Bow postures, I begin to close out my practice and move towards Savasana/Corpse pose. The closing sequence after my backbends includes shoulder stands to invert, as well as a wall assisted hand-stand, show at right. I can typically maintain a hand-stand without a wall for about 10 seconds before loosing my balance and having to come down. This handsand is the last pose before I begin my "cool down" with Yoga Mudra, additional Pranayama exercises, and, finally, the blissful Savasana/Corpse pose, as the death of my practice.
 |
| Adho Mukha Vrikshasana- Downward Facing Tree Handstand |
Namaste
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