On first glance, this principle may seem straightforward. From a young age, we are encouraged to share rather than take. We witnessed shoplifters get caught, burglars go to jail, and infidelity break marriages. The action of stealing is evident. Yet the subtler forms of stealing through intent and thought are often hidden in our habits, so deep that they are disguised. Asteya is the third Yama or self-restraint of Patanjali’s Yamas and Niyamas.
Benefits:
Deep backbend.
Opens shoulders and chest.
Stretches tops of thighs.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in Wheel pose and slowly bend at elbows until forearms are resting on ground. Walk hand back towards ankles and grab them.
Shoulders are relaxed.
Arms are inline with shoulders.
Keep back relaxed to avoid injury.
Legs are straight and inline with body.
Knees are pointing forward.
Feet are pointing straight ahead with knees.
Strengthens core.
Improves balance.
Can also improve stamina.
Start sitting with legs straight out in front of you. Pull knees towards chest and then lift them straight into air. Arms are extended outwards at sides of legs.
Back is straight and engaged.
Neck is straight and upward, chin is pointing forward.
Arms are extended and engaged with palms facing upward.
In recent years, more and more people have been talking about yoga as a viable form of both exercise and meditation. There are countless benefits you can enjoy from this style of fitness, and all of them are especially positive for women over 50.
Benefits:
Stretches legs.
Strengthens core, arms, and legs.
Improves posture.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Can be gotten into from downward facing dog or plank pose.
Knee is directly over ankle.
Hands are on either side of foot, pressing into ground for added balance.
Bent leg is not flaring outward.
Back is straight and elongated.
Straight leg is engaged and inline with the back.
Head can be looking downward or forward.
Long grueling hours behind a desk, the year-end looming, not to mention the daily professional and social demands that land on our shoulders…it is sometimes very hard to sneak in that much needed group yoga practice you so need and desire, but what if you could bring a little bit of wellness into your office or conference room?
Fish Pose/ MatsyasanaBenefits:
Strengthens the muscles of the upper back and back of the neck.
Stretches and stimulates the organs of the belly and throat.
Stretches the deep hip flexors (psoas) and the muscles (intercostals) between the ribs.
Improves posture.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Revolved head-to-knee pose/ Parivrtta Janu SirsasanaBenefits:
Stretches back, shoulders, and hamstring. Can help improve digestion. Strengthens back.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start pose like you’re doing head to knee, grab foot with hnd that is above body.
Press elbow of opposite arm into ground and twist upper body.
Neck and head are twisting body.
Chest is pressing upwards.
Benefits:
Strengthens core muscles.
Stretches inner legs.
Improves balance.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start laying on side of body.
Slowly raise leg that is on top.
Can grab outside of foot or big toes and straighten foot.
Legs are engaged.
Both legs are straight.
Core is toned to keep body from falling forward or backward.
Shoulders are back and away from ears, chest is pressing forward.
Ice baths have long been used as a recovery tool for high-performing athletes as well as those looking to reduce inflammation and fatigue, but what if all those freezing sessions were for naught? New research points less to the ice and more to the warmth. Here are six reasons you might try drawing a hot bath to better recover—and make it enjoyable, too.