Starting our day the right way sets the tone; our habits have a huge positive or negative impact on our lives. Yet most of us are unaware that when we wake up and start thinking, we have the power to positively or negatively change how our day and life play out. So, when you wake up, think of something you are grateful for and thank it. Light a candle, fling the doors and windows open, and let light and energy pour into your space before drinking a mug of hot water. Being outside and practising yoga outside is the ultimate goal. Your shat kriyas, pranayama, meditation and self-massage will keep you focused and help create space for optimum energy. Concentrate on eating more vegetarian ayurvedic meals with plenty of fresh green vegetables and pulses to help cleanse the body.
Here are two yoga poses to help support the mind, body and soul throughout spring.
KAPOTASANA Pigeon Pose
After practising 6 to 12 rounds of Sun Salutations, come to lying down on your back, close your eyes and take some deep breaths in and out through your nose. Then find your way into downward facing dog. Inhale, lift your right leg, exhale and swing your right leg through to your hands whilst bending your right knee. Extend your left leg out, keeping your hips level, use a yoga block or cushion to prop your hips to keep them level. Inhale, as you exhale, fold over your right knee, extending your arms forward or by your sides. Hold for five deep breaths. Slowly come out of the pose into downward facing dog and repeat on the opposite side. Then, return to downward facing dog before moving into child’s pose. This pose opens the hips, releasing any trapped energy/ emotions; it stretches and strengthens, increasing flexibility, bringing awareness and focus whilst opening the chest and lungs.
GARUDASANA Eagle Pose
This pose is a warming pose. After bridge pose, take a deep inhale; as you exhale, engage your bandhas and come to boat pose – navasana before moving into a seated cross-legged position – sukhasana. Close your eyes and observe your posture, ensuring your spine is straight. If not, pop a cushion, folded blanket or yoga block underneath your sit bones. Keeping a straight spine is important to help nerve impulses travel up and down the spinal column and nervous system. Inhale through the nose, raise your arms over your head; as you exhale through the nose, twist to the right, placing your right hand behind you and your left hand on your right thigh – five deep breaths. Deepen the twist by consciously lengthening and twisting through the spine on the inhalation and exhalation. Now, the opposite side. This pose helps with flexibility, range of motion and posture. It opens the rib cage, chest and heart, helping with respiration. It stimulates the organs, helping cleanse and detoxify the body’s buildup of waste, and it is energising and relaxing.
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