yoga

The most popular story of Hanuman is that of Lord Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu) and his beloved wife, Sita—who was abducted by the demon king and rescued by Hanuman as an act of love and devotion.

In this moment I am wearing a bracelet made with Sugilite crystals and a few other supportive stones. The intention of this piece is to experience a “higher love”—and since placing it on my wrist I am noticing that my thoughts are definitely lifted up. It is as though the “lower octaves” of thought and feeling are gently side-stepped in order to allow a full engagement with “what else is possible” in both my mind and in my heart.

Did you know that 30.3 million people in the U.S. have diabetes? That’s 9.4% of the U.S. population, according to the Center for Disease Control National Diabetes Statistics Report from 2017. And the CDC estimates that 7.2 million people in the U.S. with diabetes are undiagnosed (23.8%).

Most of us tend to think that the healthiest people amongst us are those who dutifully go to the gym six days a week, work up a sweat on the bike or the treadmill, lift weights to preserve bone mass, stretch out in a yoga class, and then go home after the hour is up. While the gym-goers are probably healthier than the majority of the U.S. population, even they aren’t ideal. Why not?

Wellness Wednesday Week 99: Ardha kamalamunyasana/Half Pose Dedicated to Siddhar Kamalamuni

Benefits:

Stretches the inner thighs and hips, knees and ankles

Opens the chest muscles and the front shoulders

Helps promote the spinal flexibility and stimulates internal organs.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start with legs in lotus pose, place hands on ground behind back and lift butt up off floor.

Feet are both flexed.

Wellness Wednesday Week 98: Compass Pose/Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana

Benefits:

Improves strength in side body.

Stretches side body, arms, and legs.

Can also improve balance.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start sitting with feet together in front of body, lift one leg up and with opposite hand grab foot to activate stretch.

Back is straight.

Upper arm is gently grabbing foot, keep elbow above head.

Shoulders are back and away from ears.

If we are not careful, the older we get the more excuses we can have for why we cannot love.

Wellness Wednesday Week 97: Ananta’s pose/Anantāsana/Supine Leg Stretch

Benefits:

Strengthens legs.

Improves strength in core and back muscles.

Can help improve balance.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start lying on side of body, raise both feet into air while together.

Entire body is engaged and lifting.

Feet are flexed.

Both legs are straight.

Body can be held stable by arms.

Heart is pressing forward.

Shoulders are pressing back. 

Wellness Wednesday Week 96: Bound Warrior 1

Benefits:

Opens chest.

Strengthens legs and core

Improves balance.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start with regular Warrior 1, instead of hands out to side bring them behind back and clasp hands together.

Shoulders are back and away from ears.

Head is leaning back with shoulders.

Core in engaged and keeping body straight.

Both legs are engaged and keeping body from sagging.

Bharadvajasana Pose

Benefits:

Opens chest.

Stretches arms.

Great spinal twist.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Start sitting with legs in front of body. Bend knees and pull both feet toward one hip. Hand of side of body that feet are bent toward is resting on knee.

Feet are pointed or flexed.

Knees are resting with one on top of the other.

Hand is gently pressing into knee to deepen twist.

Other hand is wrapped around back and grabbing opposite arm.