Twists are also naturally heating poses, making them ideal in the cooler Vata months. The deep twisting action stimulates elimination, and counteracts the sluggishness of a Kapha imbalance. Wintertime benefits: Revolved Prayer Lunge provides a powerful massage for the internal organs, which can be beneficial during Kapha season when digestion can sometimes be lagging. Draw the navel in toward your spine as you take several breaths in this shape. Sense the spiral of energy moving around your spine and use your breath to spread that energy all the way up and down your body. Press your hands strongly into one another, drawing the shoulders onto your back body, and rotate your torso toward the right thigh. Hook your left elbow outside your front thigh, and bring your hands to a prayer position. Keeping as much length as you can in your torso, begin to twist vertically to the right, allowing the upper body to tilt forward when you can’t go any further. Return to Crescent Lunge with your right leg forward, and bring your right hand to your right hip. Revolved Prayer Lunge (Parivrtta Ashta Chandrasana) To harmonize the Kapha elements of winter, consider mindfully sweeping your arms up and down as you breathe to release stagnation and stuck energy from your heart space. By focusing on your balance and having a clear relationship with the foundation of your pose, you help to balance Vata energy. As you work to face your hips and heart straight ahead, you get clear about your direction in life, while remaining grounded and secure in the present moment. ![]() Crescent Lunge, in particular, teaches you to face life with an open heart, directly and honestly. Wintertime benefits: In general, standing poses build stamina, heat, and strength. Hold for several breaths and then repeat on the second side. Relax the shoulders, face, and eyes, as you gaze out over the horizon line. When you are ready, stretch your arms overhead, while drawing the heads of the upper arm bones back into their respective shoulder sockets. Lift your hips points toward your lower ribs, so as to create greater freedom in your lower back. Feel free to widen your feet from right to left to find greater solidity in the pose. Come upright with your hands on your hips as you find stability and balance between your legs. Step your right foot forward into a lunge, keeping your back leg strong and straight. ![]() In the winter, focus on firm and steady holding to balance the Vata energy, and imagine drawing earth energy up through your hands and into your lungs to balance Kapha. It creates a sense of integration and balance between the right and left sides, as well as between the upper and lower body. Wintertime benefits: Downward Facing Dog both invigorates and calms the nervous system, making it a perfect posture for finding harmony. Allow stillness to spread throughout your nervous system as you hold the pose for as long as you like. As you breathe deeply, find a balance point between the upper body and lower body, with the weight distributed evenly between all four points of contact. Focus on finding a firm base of support through your hands and balls of your feet. Pedal your feet and sway your hips a few times to settle into the pose, and as you are ready to find stillness, lift your seat a little higher as you stretch down through your heels. ***Please note, if you’re booking 2 or more places you have to set up multiple MindBody accounts when purchasing.From all fours, tuck your toes under and lift your hips into an inverted “V” shape. This 1 hour 45mins workshop costs €22 (10% discount for members) There will be chai tea after to warm you up even more This workshop is suitable for all levels and abilities ![]() During this cosy practice, you will be guided through a gentle Restorative Yoga sequence, with the use of aromatherapy oils, followed by a dreamy Yoga Nidra meditation to reset and restore your whole being. This restful practice is an offering of healing for body, mind & spirit in this busy time. By setting intentions at the Winter Solstice, we are building a path that lights the way through the darkness of winter and guides us toward our brightest future.Īs this transition space between Autumn & Winter can be tough, this often leads to both physical and mental exhaustion. On the shortest day of the year as we begin the return to light, in this practice together we will rest, relax, and restore, as we turn inwards to honour and nurture the light within. Winter Solstice Restorative Yoga with Mary Williams Posted in Yoga & Meditation by Lisa Wilkinson on 13th November 2019
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