My Weight Loss Progress

Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yoga. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Yoga: Child's Pose

My son and I were talking about yoga one day. He mentioned child's pose.
There are some of variations; one looks like this.

Photo Credit: Fit.Web.Md

Relax Into Child’s Pose

"Whenever you want to feel calm and relaxed, try slipping into child's pose. Kneel with your toes flat on the floor and sit back on your heels. Move your knees about hip distance apart. Lay your upper body forward with your arms stretching out. Rest your forehead on the floor and breathe deeply."


He thought it was kind of a funny name for the pose, until one day he was tending children
and he noticed that when they stop to rest, they often end up like this.
Photo Credit: Dolanh, Flickr

While searching for pictures of children in natural "child's pose" I discovered that 
children naturally move their bodies in ways that we must work at as adults. 
Here is a child in "easy seated position" and one with his knees spread wide, feet touching.
Photo credit: Wikipedia

I think this little girl has mountain pose down pat.
Photo Credit: pixabay.com

These two children are in a deep squat. Children just naturally play in this position. 
They don't even have to think about it.
Photo Credit: Mama OT

I could post dozens of these; they were so easy to find. I like this one because he has so much focus on what he is looking at that balance does not even become an issue to him. He just does it. 
Finding a focus point is important in keeping balance in yoga.
Picture credit: Wikipedia

What a joyful pose!
I don't remember what it's called, but I may just forever have to call it seagull pose, or flying pose.

Photo credit: favim.com

This little girl is doing actual yoga poses in a studio. Isn't she adorable?
Photo Credit: Teeny Yogini by Jaybird

Saturday, January 9, 2016

What's with all these animals doing yoga anyway?


Image from Pixabay.com

With my sore left wrist and sore right knee, yoga can get interesting at times. I modify, and then modify some more, but I am getting a little stronger.  

Downward Dog


Photo from Flickr, by Sarah Siblik.  License: Creative Commons

My version: Not even close, even if I put my weight on my fists instead of hands flat.
Photo from Flickr, by Mike Lewinski. License: Creative Commons

Plank  

By Kennguru, on Wikimedia. Photo and Licensing.


Me: On my elbows. Or just on the floor. 



Cat and Cow


Photo Credit: stylescrazy.com


Me:  I'm okay if put my weight toward my left knee and right hand. I probably list a bit.
CatChannel.com

Child's Pose

I can do it! The pressure is off of my knees, and my wrist stretched out, so it's easy. I'm sure I don't look as pretty as this girl: 


Photo by Anne Wu, Flickr.


However, you're just as likely to find me like this: 

Mary Cassatt, Little Girl in a Blue Armchair
I love Mary Cassatt's paintings.

Or this--now, that's a comfortable child!  Interestingly, this photo actually demonstrates a neck exercise.  

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex

But hey, at least I'm stretching, right?  I've started following the "30 Days of Yoga" with Adriene.  I won't get done in 30 consecutive days, since I alternate it with a walking program and take Sundays off, but I just finished day 4. 


Adriene, Day 1

I figured out I can get YouTube with my Roku, so I can stream the videos to my TV without having to download them to a DVD.  The best part of it is that after the first two, there were no ads. I guess the advertisers figured nobody sticks with it. But I am!  Modified, yes, but I am doing something!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Backache Blues, Yoga, and Breathlessness

I woke up with a backache this morning, but I went to yoga anyway. The stretching helped--at least I can move now! I just need to ice it and make sure I sit properly today.


I did lose 0.4 pound. Probably because I skipped breakfast. I am determined to keep going but I could really use a breakthrough about now.


My chest feels congested, making me run out of breath a lot easier when I exercise, and when I was lying on my back in yoga it made me cough. So not a good day, but I will persist, and with God's help I will prevail!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Better Balance

I did one hour of "Yoga for the Young at Heart". (an easier class than the regular one the gym offers, and one hour later than the other, which I really like.) I can tell you my balance is way better than it was before I started walking. Not perfect yet, but the difference is incredible.

Our one mile was so easy. Two weeks ago it was so hard. What a miracle the body really is. God is gracious to encourage change.

Blood Pressure Drop

After 2-3 weeks of yoga once or twice a week, my blood pressure dropped about 20 points (systolic).
After 2 more weeks of walking, without dropping the yoga, I dropped 30 more points. It is now 100/68. My doctor was delighted! I was on the verge of BP meds, and now it is perfect. I wish I could write to Leslie Sansone and tell her!