OMG… One of my favourite postures.  I can stand in Tree Pose for (insert ValleyGirl accent here) like, forever.

From Mountain Pose, the trusty and so very foundational, Tadasana… I’m presuming toes are already spread, three points engaged, arches drawing up, with big ol’ quadriceps pulling kneecaps heaven-ly… bring weight to left foot.  With the help of a hand, bring the right foot up, sole of foot to inside of thigh.  Thanks to a ‘bit’ of lovely inner thigh flesh, I am able to bring my foot right below my crotch, to rest… ‘thank you’ inner thigh flesh.

I like to bring my attention to the energy between foot and thigh to establish a secure, steady posture.  In pressing one against the other with each responding in kind, there’s a fantastic and stabilizing force that helps to ensure the steady… as well, eyes relaxed, gaze fixed- read:blurred- down the length of the nose.  Shoulder blades are drawing down either side of the spine towards the tail bone, which is drawing towards the floor.

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh… Hands to Namaste.  When you feel a good stability, one where you might just feel like staying there all day, bring arms up overhead.  Conscious of shoulder blades drawing down and long.  

Don’t forget to breathe, of course.  A nice ujayii.  Relaxed, yet engaged.  After a count of however many makes for a thorough appreciation for the posture for you, gently bring foot down.  Rest, breathe in Tadasana, and regain your stable foundation.

Repeat on other side.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.

I love this posture.  In it I feel strong.  Everything is active.  While I have a natural sense of balance I love the confirmation this posture gives me.

Half Standing Forward Bend

Ohhhhhh… revel in this extension.

From folded position in Uttanasana, inhale and lengthen your spine forward. The gaze is lifted forward, the crown of the head is as though it’s being gently pulled from the long neck and the spine is extended. Shoulder blades are long down the spine towards the hips and depending on one’s flexibility, the fingertips can stay on the floor or rise to the shins.

The last wonderful, full inhale before folding once again into a brief Uttanasana and descending to plank. Mmmmmmmmmm……….

Standing Forward Bend

Lovely.  Just lovely.

In the process of Surya Namaskar, this posture brings us from our power and focus in mountain pose, or Tadasana, to inverted lovliness, in preparation for the floor sequence of the Sun Salutation.

On a deep exhale, bending forward, knees slightly bent and hinging at the hips, not the waist, with abdominals engaged. Lengthen the front body as you extend forward.  If not proceeding into the Sun Salutation, remain, grasping elbows with hands.  Relax.  Breathe.  Extending torso on each inhale.  Deepening the stretch towards the thighs on the exhale.  Knees can remain bent, with torso almost resting upon thighs.  If possible making way towards straightening the legs.
Mmmmmmmmmm…..

Sun Salutation

Believe me, when you haven’t seen much of the sun- typical of these Canadian winters- Sun Salutations are a lovely, invigorating way of creating some much needed heat. Here, we honour the sun, wherever it may be- I know it’s there somewhere. It’s a lovely beginning to a practice and a wonderful foundation series in my flow. One where I feel strong and light.
Sanskrit, namaskar has it’s root in namas, or “to adore” or “to bow”.

Ancient yogis taught that each of us replicates the world at large, embodying “rivers, seas, mountains, fields…stars and planets…the sun and moon” (Shiva Samhita, II.1-3).

They maintained that the outer sun is in reality representative of our own “inner sun,” which relates to our subtle, or spiritual, heart. Here is the seat of consciousness and higher wisdom (jnana) and, in some traditions, the domicile of the embodied self (jivatman).

Thanks, Yoga Journal!

Mountain Pose

The starting position from which we begin our practise and where we often return during the standing sequences.  Where we gain and re-gain our focus and balance.

Toes are spread, providing a solid foundation.  Tailbone is down, pressing towards floor.  Thighs engaged, firm with kneecaps lifted.  Shoulders are down with shoulder blades spread and pulling down either side of spine towards floor.  Focus is relaxed, down the nose, ahead.