Dark mornings, dark evenings, this is winter; in Ayurveda, we call this the Kapha season. We slow down; there’s less daylight, and we have less energy. However, by living according to your unique body type and practising yoga with this wisdom and knowledge in mind, you can maintain your energy levels so you can enjoy the winter season and all the magic it brings. Simple changes will positively affect how your mind and body function. For example, try drinking hot water upon waking, followed by a ginger lemon tea to wake up your digestive fire, making sure you move, preferably in nature, at some point during the day and eating warm, nourishing foods. Choosing the right Yoga practice will also make a profound difference, whether it be a power express class in the morning or more of a slow flow practice in the early evening. If you are prone to feeling sluggish during late autumn and deep winter, chances are you have a Kapha imbalance. Here are two yoga poses that can help stimulate the body’s systems so you can beat the winter blues.
Bitilasana Marjaryasana Cat Cow Pose
This pose helps warm the spine and spinal muscles, stimulates the nervous system, deepens the breath, calms the mind, and strengthens the arms, legs and core and stretches the back, torso and neck whilst opening the chest and lungs. You can start this sequence before your Sun Salutations; many people prefer to start their yoga practice this way. Come onto all fours, create a strong foundation, shoulders inline with your wrists and knees in line with your hips, knees hip-width apart. Inhale deeply through the nose and gently lift your head and tilt your pelvis up (cow pose), then exhale through your nose, tuck your chin into your chest, ground down through your hands and round your spine (cat pose). It feels so good! Continue for 3-5 rounds and then practice 3-6 rounds of Sun Salutations.
Ubhaya Padangusthasana Double Toe Pose
Come to sitting, inhale, bend your knees and take hold of your big toes with your index fingers and middle fingers, then exhale. Inhale, focus on your big toes, draw your navel into your spine and start to lift your feet off your mat and extend your legs. Keep breathing in and out through your nose, long inhalations, long equal exhalations. Keep focusing on your big toes and hold for five deep breaths. You can use a yoga strap, scarf or dog lead to help you. This pose helps focus the mind and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. It stretches the leg and arm muscles, opens the chest and shoulders, stimulates digestion and the nervous system, stretches the spine and strengthens the core improving balance. If you want, you can move from this pose to the Boat pose by releasing your toes and bringing your arms by the sides of your body
yourlocallife.co.uk 