Month: December 2013

(Level: Beginner) If we practice without mindfulness, the knees can suffer in yoga.  If you experience knee pain in daily life or during yoga practice, this gentle sequence will teach you to treat your knees with kindness as you gain the benefits of more vigorous variations.  Beginning in tadasana (mountain pose), we bring awareness to the area as we engage the legs.  Triangle pose stretches and strengthens the legs while keeping the knee joint safe.  We move to the wall for Supported Warrior, a wonderful modification for those who feel a lot of strain when lunging.  Finally, wind-releasing pose lubricates the knee joints while providing all-important core engagement. NYV0037

(Beginner level) Between commuting with heavy bags, sitting in a chair for much of the day, holding our arms in a fixed tying position, those of us who work a regular office job place a lot of strain on our spines, resulting in chronic back pain.  This series stretches and strengthens the spine, preventing future injuries and easing past ones.  Cat/cow pose warms and massages the spine, while reclining big toe pose lengthens and stretches it.  A short series of “baby” backbends playfully challenges us to explore how we crunch our lower backs – and how to treat the area with more kindness and compassion.  Finally, wind-releasing pose strengthens the abdominal muscles, which support the lower back so as to prevent further strain. NYV0037

(Beginner level) Good news – you don’t even have to leave your desk to perform some simple yoga poses that will help relieve stress and fatigue.  Even if you’re pressed for time, you can still enjoy the benefits of a few moments of movement and self-awareness in the middle of your busy day.  All of the asanas in this series can be performed while sitting at your desk.  We begin with relaxing neck rolls to release the tension – both mental and physical – that long hours of sitting creates.  A short self-massage of the temples is a nourishing way center yourself.  Next, we learn to do a seated spinal twist at the desk, bringing the same detoxifying effects of twists in a yoga class to the middle of your work day.  After a calming seated forward bend, we end standing in conscious meditation. NYV0037

(Level: Beginner to intermediate) In today’s world we are constantly using our computers and mobile devices, both of which promote a rounded upper back and closed shoulder girdle.  This series focuses on shoulder opening poses that open the heart as well, so with regular practice you’ll feel emotional benefits as well as physical ones.  We begin in child’s_pose , pressing through the palms to engage the shoulders.  Heart chakra pose takes the opening to he next step.  After progressing through Down_Dog and Cow Face poses, we end with gentle Back Bends, re-examining the poses in light of our shoulder opening mission. (NYV0037)

(Level: Beginner) Continuing our series on preventing and healing work-related injuries, we will focus today on the wrists.  We counterbalance the repetitive stress from hours of tying or other repetitive motion with soothing wrist stretches.  Cat/Cow is performed with flipped palms, intensely opening tight muscles in the wrists and forearms.

(Level: All) Now that we have some dance moves, it’s time to use them. A great way to work through emotions is to use them to fuel your movements; if you’re having a great day or tough day, let it out! Having a CONVERSATION back-and-forth battle is also a great way to come up with new movements. There is no wrong way to dance, as long as you are not hurting yourself or others, so again focus on the FEEL instead of the LOOK. Have fun! (NYV0036)