Catching up

I know it's Tuesday but it feels like Monday. This past weekend flew by! My in-laws were in town and we had a nice time showing them around. My husband was taking them to the airport this morning at 5am, so I had them drop me at the gym on their way. I'm used to sleeping in until around 8am or so, but it's good to switch things up every once in a while. I don't normally do well when I do yoga first thing in the morning without eating, but it's the preferred way to do it among nearly all the yoga people I know, and it brought back memories of my teacher training in Thailand when we'd get up at 5 for meditation, then go straight into the primary series at 6. I did feel a bit weak this morning practicing handstands, but overall it was a great way to start the morning. 

Afterwards, we biked with the dog to Starbucks. (He wears little booties to protect the pads of his feet.)

This past weekend I attended an arm balance workshop and it has inspired me to work a bit harder and build upon what I'm already working with.  

How was your weekend? Is your week off to a good start?  

Slow, Sweaty Powerful Vinyasa

If you're looking for a bit of a challenge in your practice this may do the trick. It's extra slow, as if you're moving through honey, and has core work, balancing poses, and works on lengthening the hamstrings. Hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend!

Tips for Low Lunge

Low lunge is a great hip flexor stretch and good for sciatica. It's also good for opening up the chest. The trick here is to magnetize the feet - that is, draw them toward each other without moving them. That will give the pelvis a lift, and help to prevent collapsing into the hips (which could cause injury). Hope this helps!

How to Step Forward From Down Dog

A lot of times I see people getting stuck when asked to step their foot to the front of the mat from downward facing dog. If you're one of those people, these few tricks will help. I normally go from downward facing dog to three legged dog and then step, so that is what I've shown in this video.  

Hope that helps! If you have any video requests or have any yoga questions comment below or tweet me. 

PS- Here's a video for yoga for back pain, and one for the morning. 

Gentle Post Run Yoga Sequence

I had a request for a yoga sequence "to do after a run, when your muscles are all jacked up", so here ya go. It's gentle and slow, yet targets specific muscles that tend to cause runners problems - tight hips and hip flexors, shortened muscles in the feet, hollowed chest, etc. Hope this helps! Have a wonderful weekend!

PS- If you ever have a video suggestion, please let me know by leaving a comment below or writing on my facebook wall. 

PPS- Father's day is coming up! And, don't forget about our Barlean's giveaway - it ends Monday! 

Tips for Navasana

This is a current favorite pose, but it hasn't always been. It's uncomfortable at first, and pretty challenging, but with regular practice you'll quickly build up core strength, work the hip flexors, build mental focus and improve your balance - all reasons why I love this pose. I think the biggest challenge in this pose is finding your balance, followed by learning how to keep the low ribs tucked in and check lifted, since we're so used to slouching all the time. But keep at it because the benefits are worth it. 

*TIP- If straightening the legs just isn't happening for you at first, bend the knees at 90 degrees and work in the posture from there until you're able to straighten the legs.

Hope this helps! Please let me know if there are specific poses you'd like to see broken down in my Tips For series.  

PS- Tips for extended side angle pose, and chaturanga. 

PPS- For those who asked, I'm wearing Northern Lights pants by Teeki. Review coming soon.