comeyogawithme

[comeyogawithme]

to follow the overall theme of anti-anxiety in cold winter, in this session we aimed to extend both sides of torso from pelvis to shoulder, activate inner legs, glutes and shoulder blades, and open the pelvis, abdomens and chest. to generate some heat from the core through better circulation of blood in the "dark" areas of body, specially in the back across the spine. 

after initial warm-up postures using blocks and straps, we started off with supported downward dog or adho mukha svanasana. here, we used the wall and ropes to safely involve the gravity to activate the legs, pelvis and glutes with a single extension all the way from toes and heels to buttocks. this meets another extension that's goes along fingers to shoulders and then across the spine to the buttocks. the head is supported on a block and shoulders are actively engaged to relay the extension from fingers and arms to the back. the chest and abdomen are open but calm.

then we moved on to supported supta padangusthasana with chair and strap to allow for gradual and safe opening of pelvis and activation of inner legs and glutes while resisting with the other half of the body. a perfect way to engage the intelligence of simultaneously feeling/controlling the two sides of body differently.   

next pose was viparita dandasana or inverted staff pose where we used a strap to keep the legs firmly together, a bolster and blanket for the crown of the head, a blanket to support the lower back and last but not least the wall and chair to get one straight extension all the way from the feet to the neck to extend the sides of the body and open the chest.

we finally moved to supta baddhakonasana to restore from the previous poses using two blocks to support the knees, a bolster to support the entire spine, a blanket to support the neck, a strap to support the opening of the pelvis and a towel to cover the eyes. this pose along with controlled breathing brings deep relaxation from the pelvis all the way to the head. it can help women with improved blood circulation in the ovarian region. we then finished the class with savasana or corpse pose.