Atmadarshan does the tadasana yoga pose
Spring is here, and for many of us that means getting our outdoor spaces ready for new growth. Do you ever find yourself stiff or sore after your open-air pursuits? These 3 simple poses can help!
Tadasana. This pose straightens you up after hunching over to weed, mulch, or plant. Plus, it opens up the hands and wrists and re-energizes you:
Stand comfortably and interlace your hands.
Inhale, bring your arms up to a comfortable level and turn your palms up (if that feels good).
Exhale, lower your arms back to the starting position.
For a deeper practice, come onto your toes when you stretch up - think of touching the sky like a tree!
Sphinx can realign your lower back, stretch the front of your legs and open your chest for easier breathing.
Cathy in the Sphinx yoga pose
Lie on your front.
Lift yourself up onto your forearms, bringing your elbows and hands wider than your chest.
Lift your chest and look straight ahead.
Hold Sphinx for anywhere from 3 to 20 deep breaths., then mindfully lower your upper body back to earth.
Legs on a chair is one of the best practices to gently open the low back and reduce swelling in the feet, ankles and legs.
Cathy in legs on a chair, a gentle yoga inversion
Find a comfortable, sturdy chair and make sure it will stay in place (you can put it on a mat or against a wall, for instance).
Lie on your side with your behind toward the chair’s front.
Roll carefully onto your back and put your lower legs on the chair.
You can place a blanket under the head or body for extra comfort. You might also want to set a timer for 3 to 8 minutes - it’s easy to stay in this practice for longer than you expect!
Yoga is a great way to support yourself in your daily activities. Check our other blog posts for more ideas on using yoga outside of the studio!