After an exciting and highly eventful start to 2023, I realised I was completely burnt out (who’s with me?). As well as being burnt out, I also suffered from Empty Nest Syndrome as my son had started at Dundee University. I needed to get away. Three flights and a three-hour drive later, I was very stiff and felt like a shrivelled prune, so I reached into my Ayurvedic and Yoga tool kit and, the following morning, practised 20 minutes of gentle slow-flow yoga and then drank a mug of hot water with ghee followed by a delicious fresh ginger lemon tea. I also avoided dry foods, ate plenty of fibrous fruit and vegetables, and drank lots of coconut water. Even though I was in a very hot country, I still followed my morning routine, which worked a treat. Remember, no matter where you are, you can still apply Ayurvedic principles and practice yoga to keep you on track. Here are two poses you can even do on the plane that will help keep you supple.
ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA Downward Facing Dog
Start on all fours in tabletop position. Create your strong foundation by keeping your wrists in line with your elbows and your hips in line with your knees. Inhale, draw your navel into your spine, exhale, lift your knees up, and push your hips up and back into Adho Mukha Svanasana. Spread your fingers wide, creating a Hasta Bandha lock, lengthen through the spine, opening the back, roll your shoulders away from your ears and draw your inner elbows in. Keep your feet hip-width apart, hips up, thighs back and heels to ground, gazing to your toes, knees or navel. Stay for five deep breaths. Ahhhh. Bliss! This pose is de-stressing, promoting relaxation. It stretches, strengthens and lengthens the body, increasing flexibility and range of motion.
UTHITA TADASANA Extended Mountain Pose with Backbend
Come to standing with your feet slightly apart, and make sure you feel stable. Standing tall and strong, feet grounded, arms by your sides, extend through the fingertips and the crown of the head. Gaze forward and take some deep breaths in and out of the nose. Lift your toes up, spread them wide and ground them back down, feeling the four corners of your feet. Inhale and sweep your arms up, exhale and gaze to your thumbs. Inhale and push your hips forward, exhale, take your arms back, still gazing at your thumbs if you can for a backbend. Do this three more times. Then come back to standing with your arms by your sides. Inhale and take your arms back up over your head; this time, come to your tip toes giving the toes a good stretch. Come back to a standing neutral position and circle your hips six times one way and then the other. This is a fantastic pose to help stretch and lengthen the body, increasing flexibility, range of motion and circulation.
yourlocallife.co.uk 