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LUNGE POSE MINI CHALLENGE (quick stress reliever from sitting at a desk)

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Hi Friends!

Today we will be practicing “Lunge Pose.”

Lunge Pose helps us counteract the effects of what I call “Modern Day Sitting Syndrome”!

The beauty of each yoga pose is that if you find that a pose is too challenging for you there is always an easier way to practice it. Lunge Pose is no exception. If you find it is too challenging for you, simply lower your back knee to the ground. For more support stretch your legs wider than hip distance. Try it out. Do what works for you.Yoga is about being good to yourself. This may be your first decision to be good to yourself. As you progress in your practice you may find that what you discover on your mat may spill over into your daily life. Making a decision that’s best for you while doing yoga is the first step in making your yoga practice your own.

Lunge Pose Tips:

1.) Stand hip width, bending both knees and stepping your right foot forward.

2.) The further forward you step, the more challenging the pose.

3.) Bending forward; use your hands for support.

4.) Keep your arms straight, relax your shoulders, soften your collar bone, and let your hips sink.

5.) Inhale deeply all Try to let go of all thoughts, past and present Breathe deeply for 5-10 counts.

6.) Step forward with your left foot into Lunge Pose and breathe deeply for 5-10 counts again.

Sitting at a desk all day stresses our spine, hips, and back. Our chest caves in, our shoulders round forward and soon our breathing is affected too. Taking just five minutes for a few Lunge Poses with deep breathing energizes our bodies while also giving them a chance to rest and relax. Deep breathing activates our parasympathetic nervous system, which slows our heart rate and helps us relax, while lunges builds strong muscles in our legs, back, and spine.

As you work on your Lunge Pose, let it remind you to stop taking up time from your life by looking in the rear view mirror of your past life. Instead, live in the present moment, fully alive, fully aware and ready to move forward. As you go forward may you realize along the way how very much that God loves you!

May you love and be loved and may peace be with you!

see you next month!

YOGA FOR A QUICK BRAIN BOOST

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Join me and together we will boost our brain power!

Did you know? Just a 20 minute yoga workout will definitely improve the blood flow to your brain, according to a study published in the journal of Physical Activity and Health. Researchers had 30 female college age students spend 20 minutes practicing yoga and 20 minutes doing aerobic exercise. Researchers gave participants a cognitive assessment test after both the yoga session and the aerobic session. Amazingly, they found test scores to be significantly superior on tests that were taken after the yoga session.

Below is a simple yoga pose called “Padahastasana,” or Forward Bend. It is a great brain booster because it involves bending over. When you bend over blood rushes to your brain. As you progress in this pose, your head may eventually touch your knees. More importantly, your memory will be improving!

 

Stand tall with your feet together. Spread them apart if you need to for better balance. With your hands up over your head inhale deeply. Exhale as you fold over your legs. You may bend your legs if need be and work up to straightening them. The most important thing is the bending over. Even if you can only touch your knees and your knees are bended, this pose will still increase the flow of blood to your head.

To begin, inhale long and deep and stretch up to the sky with arms over head. Exhale and slowly fold over your legs. Repeat 5-10 times. Try and stretch and release your brain from all thought. Once you have completed the stretching up and down, remain folded over like the picture above. Inhale and exhale for 30 seconds to 1 minute and let Heaven fill your brain with Heavenly thoughts.

This pose also tones your abs and can relieve bloating, constipation, indigestion and other gastric troubles. The circulation of blood throughout your body is improved too. Your brain will be getting a boost with blood flow and, hopefully, heavenly thoughts too!

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xxoo

<3

YOGA MINI CHALLENGE FOR KNEE STRENGTH (so you can pray!)

Posted on by pennyjoliver

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Since prayer is the Christian’s most deadliest weapon, may we always be poised for victory, for we never know when we may have to fight a battle!

This segment will stretch, strengthen and flex our back and lower body muscles making it easier for us to stay on our knees and pray!

Complete each pose on the same leg during the sequence then switch to your other leg after you have completed all 6 postures.

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1.) Bended Knee Praying Position

With bended knees and hands in a praying position, sit on your heels. Inhale long and deep and exhale long and deep up to 10 times while dwelling on this verse of Scripture.

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2.) Rising Knee /Arm Stretch

Inhale long and deep with hands clasped behind your back as you rise up on your bended knees. Look up. Arch back. Pause and pull your stomach in. Exhale long and deep as you slowly come down to your heels. Let your head rest on your mat and try to lift your arms upwards behind you.

For a less vigorous approach breath long and deep and do the arm movements from the seated position.

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3.) Deep Lunge

Rise up from your heels and step forward and bend your left leg. Place your arms on the ground for support. Inhale long and deep, up to 10 inhales and exhales.

For more intensity bend your right leg and sink your hips. Stretch your arms overhead or place them in a prayer position.

For a less vigorous approach bend your back leg.

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4.) One Knee Forward Stretch

From a lunge position move your body slowly backwards. Try to straighten your left leg out in front of you. Extend over your straight leg. Inhale and exhale long and deep for 3-10 times.

You can also move into lunge pose with a long and deep inhale then exhale, moving back to a one knee forward stretch. Repeat up to ten times.

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5.) Deep Lunge/Back Leg Bend

Slowly step your left foot forward, letting your hips sink. Be gentle with your knee as you bend it, picking up your right foot. If you can, lift and stretch your left arm up. Inhale and exhale 3-5 times long and deeply.

For more intensity really let your hips sink.

For a less vigorous approach don’t sink your hips and don’t lean forward. Also, you can place your left arm on your hips or forward leg.

 

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6.) Full Body Bow

With hands in praying position, slide them forward, letting your head follow. Let your entire body be in a praying pose before God. Try and do 10 long and deep inhales and exhales. Stay as long as you like.

Lie back and relax, inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply.

Go forth and be a person who is always ready and poised for victory!

 

HALLELUYAH!