1. Best Pose for Dashing Through The Snow: Utkatasana
Hop on the chair lift and put that chair pose to work, strengthening your largest muscle groups and creating a powerful foundation.
2. Best Pose for Making Sure The Tree is Straight: Vrksasana
The best way to see the tree is to BE the tree. Get your balance and you’ll be able to tell if the tree has its balance. Squinting helps too.
3. Best Pose for Decorating the Tree: Natarajasana
Reach your heart up and out and you’ll be able to place that ornament just right. Now Dancer, see if you can give Comet and Cupid a hand.
4. Best Pose for Peeking Under the Bed for Presents: Chaturanga
Taking a pause to work the arms, shake, and feel the core of gift giving. Your presence is the greatest present after all.
5. Best Pose For When Baby It’s Cold Outside: Partner Sukhasana
Feel the warmth in supported butterfly pose. Promise, you’ll sit a little taller with friends around.
6. Best Pose for Warming By The Fire: Prasarita Padottanasana
Get your buns nice and toasty and ask, which way to the north pole?
7. Best Pose for Finding the Ornaments Your Cat Knocked Off the Tree: Tiger Pose.
When our furry friends try to do their own decorating, engage your core and get on their level to find the decorations hiding beneath the tree.
8. Best Pose For Gift Overload: Shavasana
We tend to be a little indulgent this time of year. When your brain can’t possibly process another beautiful bow, rest.
Merry everything, Yoga Downloaders. Be sure to check out the Sanity Sanctuary for a curated collection of 15 classes to bring comfort and joy to your holidays.
Did you like this blog? You might also like: A Yogi’s Twas The Night Before Christmas
Check out this week's featured classes to find a way to decompress from the holiday madness:
1. Eric Paskel / Soulful Slow Flow
Soulful Slow flow is a slow moving vinyasa class without any sun salutations. The slower moving class provides more time to enter and exit positions while having some "quality" time in the pose. There is plenty to work on physically yet with no sun salutations and slower moving flows there is a steadiness that provides room to reflect and listen while moving. Turn it on now and you won't need to turn off all day.
2. Jackie Casal Mahrou / Busy Day Flow
Our busiest days are the most important days to squeeze in a yoga class! Do yourself a favor and make time for this short and sweet flowing class today. You will be thankful that you did.
This class gives you a little bit of everything in just 30 minutes. Jackie begins by leading you through warming Sun Salutation A & B with variations, and then guides you into deeper postures such as Humble Warrior and Crow Pose (Bakasana). You will finish with a standing balancing posture to invigorate you, a few floor postures to ground you.
Whether you are just starting your day, or taking a yoga break, you will be happier and more centered after having practiced yoga! Enjoy.
3. Elise Fabricant / Reset Refuge: Crazy Day Decompression
Crazy long day? Feeling harried and overwhelmed? Take refuge on your mat with Elise's restoring 30-minute class. In this session you will gently open your hips and spine, massage your forearms, invigorate your breath and soothe your mind!
Elise recommends using the following playlist for this class:Reset Refuge
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, this set of exercises or Kyriya is known as The Pituitary Gland Series. The Pituitary Gland is the 'Master Gland' of the body regulating the Thyroid, Adrenals and Reproductive Glands. When the Pituitary is healthy and stimulated your metabolism works efficiently, your stress level is low and your intuition guides you. You will feel radiant, light and blessed. After Savasana you will practice a beautiful meditation 'For Blessings' to send blessings to yourself and everyone. Feel free to practice this meditation up to 11 minutes. Music for this class was provided by the lovelyDev Suroop Kaur.
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Best Beginner Yoga Poses for Back Pain Relief
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Concepts Related to Yoga Poses
Let's delve into the concepts related to the yoga poses mentioned in the article.
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Utkatasana (Chair Pose): This pose is known for strengthening the largest muscle groups and creating a powerful foundation. It involves a squatting position that engages the quadriceps, glutes, and core muscles. The pose is often used to build strength and stability in the lower body.
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Vrksasana (Tree Pose): This pose focuses on balance and stability. It requires standing on one leg with the other foot placed on the inner thigh or calf, while the arms are raised overhead. The pose is aimed at improving balance and concentration.
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Natarajasana (Dancer Pose): This pose involves reaching the heart up and out, emphasizing balance and flexibility. It requires standing on one leg while holding the other foot with one hand and extending the other hand forward. The pose is known for enhancing flexibility and grace.
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Chaturanga (Four-Limbed Staff Pose): This pose is a challenging yoga push-up that strengthens the arms, shoulders, and core. It involves lowering the body to a few inches above the ground while keeping the elbows close to the body. The pose is often used to build upper body strength.
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Partner Sukhasana (Supported Butterfly Pose): This pose involves sitting back-to-back with a partner in a butterfly position, focusing on creating warmth and support. It emphasizes connection and relaxation.
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Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend): This pose involves a wide-legged forward bend, emphasizing stretching and grounding. It requires standing with the legs wide apart and folding forward, aiming to stretch the hamstrings and lower back.
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Tiger Pose: This pose involves engaging the core and getting on all fours to mimic the movement of a tiger. It focuses on core strength and stability.
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Shavasana (Corpse Pose): This pose is a relaxation and meditation pose that involves lying flat on the back with the arms and legs relaxed. It is often used for deep relaxation and stress relief.
These yoga poses and concepts encompass a wide range of physical and mental benefits, including strength, balance, flexibility, and relaxation.
Featured Yoga Classes
The featured yoga classes mentioned in the article offer a variety of practices to cater to different needs and preferences. From slow flow and busy day flow to crazy day decompression, these classes aim to provide physical and mental rejuvenation. Each class focuses on specific movements, postures, and breathing techniques to promote relaxation, strength, and mindfulness.
Additional Yoga Topics
The article also touches on various yoga-related topics, including the difference between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga, the power of yoga for weight loss, common yoga myths debunked, benefits of yoga backed by studies, beginner yoga poses for back pain relief, and qualities of the best yoga teachers. These topics cover a wide range of aspects related to yoga, including different yoga styles, health benefits, and the qualities of effective yoga teachers.
Yoga is a diverse and holistic practice that encompasses physical postures, breath work, meditation, and mindfulness, offering a comprehensive approach to overall well-being.
Feel free to ask for more details on any specific aspect of yoga or related topics!
