Seven - it seems like a consistent, magical, cosmic number. The same number of days it supposedly took to form the earth, the number of main chakras in the body, days of the week, and the main levels of tissue formed in the body...all counted by sevens. What nurtures one doesn't always nurture all, but when the foods which can nourish the whole are recognized, eating healthy takes on a whole new meaning.
Benefits:
Stretches knees, hips, and abdomen.
Improves posture.
Can help strengthen back muscles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in Cobra pose, bend one knee in at a time and grab foot with hand. Gently push/pull foot towards back of thigh.
Tops of feet are pressing into ground, toes flat on ground.
Legs are engaged, flexed.
Shoulders are back.
Benefits:
Grounding pose.
Stretches ankles and knees.
Can help calm the brain.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Butt is firmly planted on the ground.
Legs are folded and feet are resting on tops of thighs.
Hands can be on the ground for support or rest on knees.
Back is straight and head is looking forward.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
Benefits:
Helps strengthen the leg.
Stretches the thighs and knees.
Improves balance.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start standing on one leg, other leg bent.
Bent leg comes up like tree pose.
Reach down and pull foot across standing leg. Rest foot/ankle on thigh.
Keep foot flexed, not pointed.
Hands can be on hips -- wherever is most comfortable.
Pelvis is in a natural position.
Prana is, quite simply, life. It is the life force, nourishing body, mind and soul both literally and figuratively. Prana flows within the body by way of breath (the element of air), but also enters the body by the other four elements: earth, water, fire and the ether. The ether, or space, is the element of the soul. It is the element we aim to embody during meditation, as we move inward to find space. Prana is essential to accessing this endless space, and so we prepare for the process of locating space by practicing pranayama.
Great side opener.
Helps tone core.
Strengthens back.
Start standing in Tadasana with arms above head and fingers interlaced.
Gently bend to one side, make sure not to force body over.
Keep feet firmly planted on the ground, legs are engaged.
Belly is toned and pelvis is in a natural position.
Head is looking forward, in natural position.
Benefits:
Can help relieve stress and mild depression.
Stretches the shoulders, and hamstrings.
Strengthens shoulders and arms.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start by laying down on stomach.
Pick upper body up and use forearms to hold it up.
Can stay on knees or lift up legs and put weight on tucked toes.
Palms are flat on ground for extra balance.
Keep shoulder back and away from ears.
Can be looking down or straight ahead.
The tongue may be (relatively speaking) the strongest muscle in the body, but what carries all our weight? Our feet support us all day long. Think about it: it’s a hefty job for a couple dozen square inches to carry around a comparatively large structure. Our feet take us far and fast and up and down. They have their own unique rhythm as they walk…as if to the beat of their own drum, sometimes.
Benefits:
Can help improve posture.
Stretches organs, belly and stomach muscles.
Strengthens back and neck muscles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Your base includes, your legs, forearms, and back of head.
Start sitting up, place palms face down next to hips, slowly lean back onto forearms, and then rest head on ground.
Knees can be bent.
Weight is on forearms, not head.
Keep shoulders back and away from ears.
Benefits:
Can help improve balance.
Stretches shoulders and chest.
Will help strengthen legs and ankles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Foot flat on the ground .
Standing leg is engaged and straight.
Second leg is bent and hand from same side of body is holding on to it.
Raise bent leg up and back.
Hand can be gripping top of foot or inner side of foot.
Free hand is straight in front of body for balance.