| Quick Like The Cat |
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| by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
| Wednesday, 28 June 2006 | |
The first thing you need to do before engaging in any asanas (yoga
postures) is to create heat in the body through motion. When you move
the body from one position to another, using breath in synch with
movement, it is known in Sanskrit (the ancient language of yoga) as
vinyasa. We refer to it as "flowing.
A simple vinyasa that can be done as a warm-up or even as a quick wake
up is The Cat. To begin, sit on the floor, using a yoga mat if you have
one. Place a folded towel or blanket under your knees for padding. Come
to your hands and knees. Your knees and feet should be hip width apart.
Keep you toes tucked under, or flexed. Place your hands directly under
you shoulders, keeping elbows slightly bent. Open your hands wide,
spreading the fingers to create the best bond to the floor or mat. Stay
aware of this connection throughout the vinyasa so your weight does not
sink into your wrists. You can avoid cupping your hands by thinking of
your fingers as roots of a tree reaching out into the earth for
stability.
Using ujjay breath, inhale slowly as you lift your face upward while lifting the bottom of the buttocks upward. Your center spine will lower, creating an arched back. Gaze at the ceiling. As you exhale, reverse the move. Tuck your head under while bringing your tailbone down. Lift your center spine upward, hollowing out the belly. Gaze downward. Repeat these two moves a dozen or more times, using slow, small breaths and matching the breath with the motion. As you continue, you will notice that your lower range of motion will improve along with your freedom of movement. Visualize each vertebra of your spine moving independently, yet remaining connected like links in a chain, in a wave-like formation. Feel the heat being generated throughout your body. Press your hips back all the way over your feet, letting your toes relax into a point, with arms stretched out in front. Take a deep, expansive inhalation. As you exhale, release the sound "ah" with your voice. As you begin to feel lighter, become still, letting your breath create space and release tension. Relax. You are now prepared to practice more asanas or to start your day energized and vitalized. Bookmark:            Trackback(0)
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 June 2006 ) |
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