"The secret lies in our own breath. Through breathing exercises, certain breathing techniques and some practice of meditation, we can rekindle positive vibrations within and around us."
~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation
"The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man."
~ Euripides
This session, the final one of this challenge, was specifically for the aches and pains collected in the body due to commuting to and from work.
This class had some good stretches for the back and hips. It's important to stretch and relax the muscles that are tensed up due to being in a seated position for long periods of time.
I have finally completed this challenge, after a few lengthy gaps in my practice. It took me longer than 4 weeks, but it's done.
Thanks again, Erin, you are a fabulous teacher.
I have learned to make peace with the fact that most things don't pan out as planned. Instead of becoming frustrated, it's important to learn to adapt to the challenges and work through the various obstacles in your path. This builds resilience and character.
Today's session was a prenatal class. Even if you aren't pregnant, there are lovely stretches in this class which will help to open the hips, lessen back pain and relax your muscles.
Find space and mental quietness on your mat. Breathe deeply and make time for yourself.
"Move your joints every day. You have to find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself."
~ Sri Dharma Mittra
Today's session focused on using yoga and breathing to alleviate the pain of a headache.
I didn't actually have a headache when I did this, so I can't attest to its effectiveness, but the process of learning to relieve a headache felt really good.
I need to remember to try this when I have a headache.
This session was a flow-based practice with the aim of finding crow pose at the end. It was quite enjoyable and well worth doing, particularly as I'm so tight in my back, hamstrings and hips.
I have not been able to find crow pose properly and have been working on it for a very long time. It's a lack of ab strength and tight hips that are mainly to blame.
This is definitely a pose that I need to be patient with and keep being patient with myself.
Today's session was a pose breakdown. Pigeon, seated forward fold, and stepping forward from downward dog to warrior one were the poses focused on in this practice.
These are important stretching poses that I always enjoy because I know they work my hips and hamstrings. Practising the movement of stepping forward from downward dog helps your flow feel more smooth and comfortable; spending some time focusing on this has improved my practice.
All the practices this week focused on flexibility, and this session brought together the work done during the week. I definitely felt this practice loosen me up and I feel stretched and lengthened.
This is a great practice to start your day and put you in a reflective, quiet state of mind.
I felt epic during today's practice. This session was about building flexibility and strength and incorporated some of the work we did yesterday.
I felt better in pyramid and in the forward fold than I have done previously. I was able to push myself deeper into the posture and was able to cope better with the usually painful stretching sensation in my legs.
Today's practice involved a pose check on Warrior I, Triangle and Pyramid. I see that these poses are often done incorrectly both in my own practice, and when I sneak a peek at the mirror to take a look at the other people in the class.
I was able to make sure I really feel each pose in the right places and it gave me time to check that my alignment was correct.
