During the course of the day we all bend over, ALOT !!!
If I bend my back in this direction, cobra pose, I feel better. It helps with my back pain, upper and lower. I used to suffer with sciatica because my back muscles were not stretched properly. I don't anymore.
I start by placing my hands below my shoulders and lift myself up slowly until my arms are stretched out straight. Then I continue to stretch my neck out and my head up as far as I can stretch it, focusing on my breathing.
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| Shoulder Stand |
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This pose is called a shoulder stand and is great for stimulating our lymphatic system. Stimulating the lymphatic system aids in digestion and elimination and helps the body to operate more efficiently. If the body is operating more efficiently we are burning fat, and we like that. If you are doing it on a boat-hold on to something:)
If you can't get up into this pose, just lay on the floor and put your feet up in the air and breathe deeply for a minute to start. When I had my recent tooth extraction, I couldn't do shoulder stand because too much blood would have rushed to my head-so I laid on the floor and put my feet straight up in the air. I know my lymphatic system does not have a pump and I have to help it move the fluids !
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If a shoulder stand is a little (or alot:) too much for you, then start with laying on the floor, in corpse, and concentrate on your breathing. Proper breathing is as important as the proper asana, or pose.
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| Corpse Pose |
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| Goddess Pose |
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Goddess Pose (or guys can call it cobbler's pose:) is a pose to help open up your lower chakras (energy centers). In order to BE healthier, first we have to WANT to be healthier. Our 2nd chakra, our seat of desires, just below our navel center, is the area in which our hip joints are located. Opening this area allows the energy to flow more efficiently and we tend to WANT better things for ourselves. Of course, breathing deeply in this pose, and every pose, is of utmost importance.
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This pose is called plank and is great for upper body strength and toning. It looks like you are going to do a push up but just don't move-stay at the top and breathe deeply, focusing on your lower abdomen. When you inhale, blow your belly up big, and when you exhale, pull the muscles of your lower abdomen in tight. Work it now, work it-and focus on your inner strength. Oh, by the way, it is not your imagination, I have 2 different socks on-they were the only ones I had in my truck and it was cold on the beach:)
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