Bending Back To Rebuild

The steps leading to full Urdhva Dhanurasana/Upward Bow

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part I),
Today's practice marks the second opportunity this week to rebuild my practice (after a two week, poison ivy hiatus).

As always, I'll begin with prayers and meditation before warming up, and beginning my sequence.

Time to begin....

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part II),
As always, the Part II post comes after a practice.

Today is the second opportunity I've had this week to rebuild my practice after a two week, poison-ivy-induced, hiatus.

Preparation for Urdhva Dhanurasana.
Because this pose is challenging, it should be done at
the end of your practice, wen you're warmed up.

Hands are placed directly under the shoulders...

I went through my full, modified Ashtanga Series (a non-traditional sequence, for any yogi who follow this blog), and finished with my favorite/least favorite/love it/hate it/ closing sequence of backbending.

Urdhva Dhanurasana, also called Chakrasana, also called wheel pose, also called upward bow, is an intense, and beautiful backbend that rights all of the wrongs in your mind, body, and spirit.

Until tomorrow.

Namaste

...once the hands are place, lift onto the crown
of your head, and get your bearings. Take a breath here
and check in with your arms, shoulders, and feet.

My feet will lower back to the ground before
lifting into the full pose, below...

...once you've lifted, try to straighten your arms. This
will, more thank likely, be very difficult until you've
developed flexibility in your spine. Squeeze your
rear end as tight as you can; this is your support
system while you're lifted.

Press down into your feet, and try to point your
toes forward, as much as you can; they will naturally
try to turn outward. Hold for 5 breaths, and then
repeat the sequence (I typically do a sequence
of 3).

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