Hello! This week has absolutely flown by! It's been great working at the studio, helping out at the front desk, cleaning, and practicing yoga! I've met some really great people, and have learned so much - not only about the workings of a yoga studio/instructor, but about my own yoga practice as well.
Since I've gone through the emotional side of the practice, I thought that to end the week, I'd share some of the physical side of it.
Downward-Facing Dog
Goals: Builds strength, flexibility and awareness; stretches the spine and hamstrings; rests the heart.
Posture: Keep your legs about hip-width apart and your arms shoulder-width apart. Your middle fingers should be parallel, pointing straight ahead and your inner elbows facing forward. Straighten your legs and push upward with your arms. The goal is to lengthen the spine while keeping your legs straight and your feet flat on the ground (although this takes a LOT of time to master). Keep your shoulders down, as they'll most likely try to bunch at the neck. Weight should be evenly distributed between your hands and feet.
Warrior II
Goals: Strengthens legs and arms; improves balance and concentration.
Posture: Step your feet 4-5 feet apart. Turn your back foot about 45 degrees in. Turn your front foot 90 degrees out, so that it's pointed directly in front of you. Bend the front knee until the thigh is parallel with the floor, but keep the knee either behind or directly over your ankle. Raise your arms over head. Then slowly lower them until your front arm is pointing straight ahead and your back arm is pointing straight back.
Upward-Facing Dog
Goals: Strengthens the arms, wrists and abdomen. Increases the flexibility of the spine.
Posture: Lie prone on the floor. Stretch your legs back, with the tops of your feet on the floor. Bend your elbows and spread your palms on the floor beside your waist. On an inhalation, lift your torso up and your legs a few inches off the floor. Look straight ahead or tip the head back slightly, but take care not to compress the back of the neck and harden the throat.
A huge thanks to Lisa and Siobhan for allowing me to join the studio this week! Many thanks also to teachers Monique, Brooke, and Chris (who so kindly posed for these pictures!). You are all such an inspiration to me, and I hope to continue to grow in my own practice and become increasingly stronger.
Much Love,
Amanda