YOGA CHALLENGE FOR GOING FORWARD

The theme of this yoga challenge is, moving forward!

Give yourself permission to let go of whatever does not serve you. Dedicate this precious time to free yourself from whatever is weighing you down and holding you back. Remember that God made you. He knows all about you, even the secret things you try to hide from everyone else. Every tear you have cried is placed in a bottle by Him. He thinks about you more than every grain of sand in all the world. He loves you more than anything or anybody in the entire world. In His greatest act of love for you, He left His throne in Heaven, became a human being, and sacrificed His life for your sins, so you could be forgiven and live with Him throughout all eternity. We cannot even imagine how much God loves and cares for us. But He does not ask us to. He simply says to come to Him, so he can help us. He came because He loves you!

Allow true love to envelope you in each of these yoga poses. This mini-yoga class was created with forward moving yoga poses to remind you of that love. It is a symbol of our willingness to let go of the past and move forward into the wonderful futures that God has in store for each one of us!

Get stronger physically and keep moving forward in your life with reflection upon His amazing words to you…

The righteous keep moving forward…

Job 17:9

You are a new creation…

2 Corinthians 5:17

Let go of what’s behind you so you can grab hold of what’s before you…

Philippians 3:14

When you are ready grab a mat, towel and water if you like and let’s get started!

 

1.) Forward Bend Variation

  • Take a huge breath with your hands at your hips or fingers interlocked behind your back. Let your chest lift and expand, awakening each cell with fresh oxygen. Add intensity by lifting your arms up behind you.
  • When you feel the need to exhale, simply release your breath while bending forward, leading with your chin. Let your arms stretch as far over as you can.
  • Repeat the stretch up, with a big inhale, and a forward bending stretch, forward and down, 5-10 more times.

2.) Forward Bend Twist

  • You should be loose from your Forward Bend, so on your last one stay bent over.
  • Release your left hand to the floor while twisting up with your right arm.
  • Bend your right leg.
  • Repeat bending your left leg with your left arm lifted.

3.) Warrior I Variation

  • Step forward with your right leg into Warrior I Pose.
  • Your Hips should be facing forward, over your front leg.
  • Try to pull up and out of your waist by pulling your belly in .
  • Breathe deeply, sweeping your arms up to Heaven. Or, press your palms together while gazing up toward Heaven.
  • Repeat the breathing in this position up to 10 times.
  • Step in a little closer for better balance and step your right leg out farther for more intensity.
  • Lift your heel if you can and really build your leg muscles!

4.) Lunge Twist

  • Lower your torso over your forward leg.
  • Place a hand on your mat on each side of your leg.
  • Hold for a few deep breaths.
  • When ready, place your left elbow over your right leg (knee, but preferably your thigh).
  • Press your palms together.
  • A deep inhale will allow you to stretch deeper over your leg.
  • Breathe deeply for 5 counts.

5.) Lunge Twist Variation

  • Lower your left arm to the mat.
  • Stretch your right arm up and gaze upward.
  • Breath deeply for 5 counts.
  • Switch hands.
  • Breathe deeply for 5 more counts.
  • Lower you back knee for more support.
  • Repeat positions 3-5 with your right leg forward.

6.) Fierce Pose

  • With legs together, sit back as if you were going to sit on a chair.
  • Stretch your arms up. Hold this position while breathing deeply up to 10 times.
  • Don’t let your knees extend beyond your toes.
  • To make it easier, don’t sit back too far and place your hands on your hips.

7.) Warrior III

  • Step out with your right leg.
  • You may bend that knee, but a straight leg is optimal.
  • Lift your back leg while keeping your hips facing forward.
  • Raise your arms, look forward, and breathe deeply for up to 10 counts.

8.) Low Lunge With A Prayer

  • Gently lower your back leg, with your knee touching your mat.
  • Sink forward, allowing for a deeper stretch.
  • Place your hands on your mat, hips, thigh, or in prayer position.
  • Breathe deeply for up to 10 counts.
  • Bring your back knee in for more support.
  • Say a prayer!
  • Repeat poses 7+8 with your left leg forward.

May love protect you and bless you as you move forward!

Halleluyah!