Archive for September, 2009
Embrace life with back bends
Bending back and opening the chest also unlocks the spirit within. Practicing these postures takes you along previously untravelled paths, challenging you to overcome fear and frustration, teaching you to move with ease and grace and to live with an open heart and a passion for life and love.
(J Chapmen, Yoga for Inner Strength, p164).
In back bends I bring my awareness to the heart and open it as wide as I can, eager to send and receive what may come. I welcome back bends with an open mind and embrace the wonderful stretch through the front of my body; hips, abdomen, thighs, shoulders and chest, which from sitting at a computer all day is compresses. While all that stretching is taking place the legs, buttocks and spine are required to counter gravity, bringing energy, warmth and strength. After a back bend concentrated practice I tend to feel energized and refreshed.
Back bends stimulate the nervous system and metabolism. The abdominal organs are squeezed helping with digestion and giving yourself a mini detox.
If you have little experienced a back bends, do come into them slowly and gently. They can feel awkward or bring a fearful feeling because you are moving the spine in a direction it isn’t used to going, as well the heart is exposed which may be uncomfortable for some.
Use the breath to help bring calmness to your back bends, inhaling to lengthen the lower back and open the chest, exhale to soften, releasing deeper into the posture. Bring balance in the body by following a back bend with a forward fold.
Some great beginner back bends are: Bitilasana (Cow pose), Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Little bridge pose) and Supta Badda Konasana (Heartbed)
Other back bends: Urdha Mukha Svanasana (Upward facing dog pose), Natarajasana (Dancer), Ustrasana (Camel pose), Urdva Dhanurasana (Wheel pose)
take in a little GOOP
I am so excited to share this, I haven’t had that good of a look at the site myself, but I love Gwyneth Paltrow and how subtle she is. GOOP is her take on lifestyle and meaning. The site has a real simple and clean design, just as life should be. Do sign up for the newsletter. I received my first a few day ago and can’t wait to try the recipe for the chocolate cupcakes.
Photo of the week
This is how I’ve been spending my free time these last few weeks. We are renovating our home, and this weekend we entered the no turning back stage of the project(s). There seems to be no end in sight but if we stick to the revised schedule we will have new flooring and colour on the walls by next Wednesday. I’m really looking forward to that and more time for yoga, of course.
If you have to toast ‘em
Here are my favourite toaster waffle. They’re all natural and free of everything; wheat, gluten, trans fats, egg and dairy, and the taste great. The reason I’m bring them up is that they are nearly half price at Quality Foods right now. Try them, you’ll be surprised.
Picture from Van’s website and not the same packaging as what is available here.
The Girl Effect
Check out this website. Two really great things; the design and the message. It reminds me how important the work Greg Mortenson (Author of Three Cups of Tea) is doing for girls in the middle east. Education is essential for everyone, but unfortunately girls are neglected in many Third World countries.
Click The Girl Effect graphic for link or click here.
Photo of the week
I spent this lovely, lazy Labour day afternoon doing one of my favourite things; hiking. We drive out to Lund for yam fries and on the way home stopped at the Dinner Rock Campground and found a lovely trail that lead us out onto the bluffs. I like how the perspective is drastically different when walking the same trail but in different directions. I didn’t notice this big fella going out to the bluffs but coming back he was plain as day. His base is rotting away (unfortunately, not completely on it’s own), the exposed aged wood looked so soft and vulnerable, but in the same light, the tree seemed strong and steady.
Electric Car :: They Might Be Giants
This video is so cute I just had to post it.
New on my nightstand
Click pic for link to Chapters
I’ve just gotten into Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, so far I can’t seem to put it down and my bed times are getting later and later.
It’s the story of Mortenson and his adventures in Pakistan and Afghanistan in the 90′s. Once a mountaineer with his sites on the summit of K2, Mortenson becomes a humanitarian and opens his heart to the local people and promises to build them a school. Many schools.
Photo of the week :: Yoga before playing
Source unkown, please if you know who's picture this is, I'd like to give credit.
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