Incorporating yoga into your daily life doesn't have to be difficult, involve a full length class, or even the use of a yoga mat. It could be at your desk, doing the dishes, digging in your garden, while on a walk, in front of the t.v. in the evening, or at the dinner table. It really doesn't matter where or when, but it does matter that you do it and do it regularly.
Try this simple, short practice. As little as 5 minutes a day or a few minutes spread out throughout your day, can be a huge step to improving your overall health. Especially during stressful times.
Pick a repetitive task that you do each day that you can use as a tool to be mindful. Each time you do this task; take a few moments to breathe through it. Stand or sit tall. Notice your connection to the ground, try to lengthen your torso by engaging a little bit through your belly, draw your mid back up and in towards your heart, open across your chest and try to lengthen up through your neck to reach the top of your head up towards to the skin. Consciously inhale through your nose for a count of 5 or 6 seconds, retain momentarily, then consciously exhale through your nose for a count of 6 or 7 seconds. If you find you struggle to go that long, start with 4 seconds and work your way up.
While doing mindful breathing, try to incorporate movement to activate the tissues, to stretch and release tension and simply move mindfully.
When side bending, sit or stand tall. As you exhale bend laterally to one side, as you inhale return back to centre and exhale to your other side.
Posture “Asana”: Moon Pose (standing or seated) “Chandrasana”
Some physical benefits:
*Side body stretch (lateral)
*Lengthening through the side body
*Strengthening of obliques (side of abdomen) if you choose to engage on the condensed side and actively stretch upward with your open side
*Opportunity to identify with & expand the breath on the open side
Move within your range of motion, try to find steadiness and work to your own capacity.
Yoga is gloriously simple. This doesn't imply that it will be easy. You need to do the work, to receive the benefits.
Yours in yoga, health & breathing mindfully,
Jo