Benefits:
Stretches legs.
Opens shoulders.
Deepens spinal twist.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in downward facing dog pose. Bring one hand to opposite ankle.
Hand is placed firmly on ground for balance.
Arms are straight.
Benefits:
Stretches legs.
Stretches shoulders.
Opens hips.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in lunge position. Lean upper body forward.
Chest and belly are resting on bent leg.
Back is straight.
Arms are lifted above head and in straight line with back.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
Benefits:
Stretches neck and shoulders.
Releases tension.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Sit in a comfortable sitting position.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
Back is straight.
Tail bone is slightly tucked.
Hand is gently reaching over head and slightly pulling head towards shoulder.
Do with both sides.
Benefits:
Strengthens core.
Improves balance.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in plank pose. Begin by shifting weight on to one arm, stack your feet into one another. Lift arm over body and make a T shape.
Arms are both straight.
Head is either facing forward or looking up towards raised hand.
In recent years alongside the Paleo diet, there has been a fast-moving trend toward its exercise complement, Functional Movement. Crossfit is one of the biggest names in the Functional Movement world and indeed, the fitness world as a whole. However, there still seems to be a disconnect for many when it comes to understanding what Functional Movement is as its core.
Benefits:
Stretches spine.
Strengthens arms.
Improves balance.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Instead of knees resting on each elbow, both knees are resting on one elbow.
Head can be looking down towards ground or same way as legs.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
Back is curved.
Belly is pulling back towards spine.
After 8 years in roller derby, Laurel suffered the injury every derby girl dreads: a broken ankle. Despite a looming fear that nothing would ever be the same again, Laurel, a determined Bikram-style instructor, embarked on a yoga journey back to skating.
A low ankle break is an injury that lingers and delays. The moment I heard the snap in my ankle, I knew it was all over. I saw my mediocre derby career pass before my eyes, abruptly destroyed. My life was at an end.
Benefits:
Stretches back as well as shoulders.
Strengthens legs.
Opens chest.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start as if in chair pose. Hook opposite arm around knee.
Back is as straight a possible. But twisting one way.
Neck and head is twisting with back.
Shoulders are back and away from years.
In the wellness community, we often expound the benefits of moving and exercising more, and with good reason. Exercise is a crucial part of achieving wellness and health, and it aids in longevity. However, it is also true that many people experience difficulty or discomfort when they move.
Benefits:
Strengthens legs.
Stretches shoulders.
Opens back.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start with legs crossed while standing.
Reach sitting bones back to help with balance.
Legs are bent as if in chair position.
Foot is hooked behind standing leg.
Arms are also crossed.