Yoga helps improve your Posture, Alignment and Balance.
To walk like royalty, you are walking beautifully tall. When you walk, you bring presence, elegance and confidence. Head high, the body beautifully aligned in an effortless manner. How lovely !
"Yoga is not only learning about standing on your head, but also learning to stand on your own two feet" Swami Satchinanda. This alone can be quite challenging for a lot of us.
We had fun in class. All ages, ladies and gents. All abilities.
One of my students is 80. Another one has MS. Another one has osteoporosis etc. Another one practiced sitting on a chair. It really does not matter. Have fun with it ! So good for you.
A great posture looks good and improves your wellbeing at all levels. And less aches & pains !
You breath will improve, your back, your digestion, your mood, your confidence and much more. It reduces muscle, joint tension and fatigue. It increases your energy. It is a mini work out in itself.
A good posture engages muscles of the core, back, and chest. Strength in those muscles can increase your stability and balance as well. One of my students, who suffers from MS, told me how she had enjoyed our yoga session but ached the next day in a nice way from practicing her good posture alignment.
One of her friends in town kindly commented how beautifully tall, she was walking. She jokingly said it was her yoga teacher's homework for the week. Yes, I want you to apply yoga to daily life.
Remember it is normal to feel achy today as you moved in a different way so muscles are waking up 😊 A bit like going to the gym after a long time. Keep it up though and the body will soon get used to it. Practice what you can daily if possible. Rest when you need to.
Start from mountain pose or Tadasana. Check my previous blog for tips on finding a good posture initially. It really helps to prepare the body to find ease in alignment. It makes a huge difference.
Walking tall like royalty, is not just about looking good. Nowadays, we tend to walk with our head first, leaning forward. Not only this adds tremendous pressure on your neck, shoulders and back, but it creates havoc for your posture, back, balance, breathing, digestion, mood etc.
Yoga 🧘♀️ deconstructed.
From Mountain Pose... Having practiced Tadasana in a static manner, let's take it a step further.
Walking tall, balancing a book or a light yoga bloc on your head just like in debutante ball in finishing school. Debutante balls date back to at least the 18th century, when young aristocratic ladies were looking for eligible husbands in high society. Today’s debutante balls function more as networking events than matchmaking events. In all scenarios, first impression matters and a beautiful posture always stand out. It also does wonder for your wellbeing long term.
Here are a few tips to practice your royal steps at home.
Starting from Mountain Pose... Let's start with Posture
At home, find a wall. Press your heels, buttocks, upper back into the wall, back of the shoulders into the wall, wide open chest, head resting on top of the spine (not necessarily touching the wall)
Now feet hip width apart, Press your feet down rooting yourself into the earth, pubis slightly forward and hips up a little. grow tall through the crown of the head, shoulders relaxed. Lengthen your tailbone down (don’t overarch your back). Keep growing tall through the crown of your head, eyes looking straight ahead. When comfortable, practice in the middle of the room.
Breathe in the belly, keeping the length, relax in your exhale. Stay for 1 or 2 min.
If ok, balance a light book or yoga bloc on the top of your head, Breathe in and out. Stay tall.
Travelling Mountain Pose... How about taking it a step further ? Balance.
Next, start walking slowly around the room, balancing the book/bloc on your head. Walk with your feet first. Head high. Eyes looking straight ahead. Feel the ground. Breathe in, out and Smile !
Relax and repeat daily for a week ! Then try standing and walking outside (as if you had a book on the head) and notice how it feels. You may awaken muscles you did not know you had.
I hope you try this fun practice and enjoy the feeling!
"Focus on keeping your spine straight. It is the job of the spine to keep your brain alert" BKS Iyengar
I run weekly classes in Wadhurst, Frant, Fordcombe and online. A blend of breathwork, yoga, Somatics, Pilates to feel good. I also offer workshops and 1:1. All welcome ! Just get in touch...
Group classes, Private tuitions and workshops available. For more info, benefits and testimonials on Yoga and Somatics, pls visit www.yogawithbelle.co.uk