Hi Friends!
This month “Yoga with Penny” features moving forward into the New Year with Lunge Pose!
In this New Year, let’s give ourselves permission to let go of whatever does not serve us. Let us dedicate these precious few moments to free ourselves from what weighs us down and holds us back. Let Lunge Pose serve as a symbol of our willingness to let go of the past and move forward into 2019.
Physically, a Lunge Pose can help us counteract the effects of desk-sitting. Sitting for long periods of time stresses our spine, hips and back. We may also notice our shoulders rounding forward and our chests caving in, which affects the way we breathe. Taking just five minutes for a few Lunge Poses (while breathing deeply) will help to revive us with energy and relieve stress. Deep breathing activates our parasympathetic nervous system, which slows our heart rate and helps us to relax. And, of course, Lunge Pose help us to build strong muscles in our legs, back and spine.
If you find Lunge Pose too challenging, simply lower your back knee to the ground. For more support, stretch your legs wider than hip distance. Try it out, and do what works for you. Yoga is also about you being good, to you!
Lunge Pose:
1.) Stand at hip width, bend both knees, and step your right foot forward.
2,) Keep both your hips facing forward throughout the position.
3.) Be sure your forward knee is directly over your foot.
4.) The further forward you step, the more challenging the pose becomes.
5.) Bend forward; use your hands for support, placing them on the inside of your forward leg.
6.) Keep your arms straight, relax your shoulders, soften your collar bone, and let your hips sink.
7.) Once you feel comfortable in a Lunge Pose, inhale peace and exhale your stress, breathing deeply for 10 counts.
8.) Step forward with your left foot into Lunge Pose, and breathe deeply for 5-10 counts again.
9.) Repeat moving forward in Lunge Pose on each leg a few more times.
As you work on your Lunge Pose, let it remind you to stop taking time from your life by looking in the rear view mirror. Instead, live in the present moment, fully alive, fully aware, and moving ever forward!
Thanks for Lunge Posing with me.
God Bless you as we Lunge into the next year!
xxoo
Penny
