Thank your strong focused work in yesterdays yoga class.

Another beautiful asana this week that will strengthen your butt muscles and help eliminate lower back pain that is related to weak glutes.
Don’t forget you can still continue with the poses from the previous weeks if you found them helpful and would like to see how they can help your body and mind.

 

Locust Pose/ Shalambhasana

This asana is sometimes referred to as baby backbend, the reason for this is that it is easily achievable for beginners and has potential to be very challenging for advanced yogis through using one of the many variations.

Benefits of this exercise:
– strengthens the glutes and muscles along the lower back
– tones deeper muscles of the core, abs etc.
– stretches the front of the body
– increases circulation to the abdominal organs
– improves stability in the spine
– can energise and help concentration
– can tone and balance the function of the liver, stomach and bowels

 

Outcome:
– relief from low back ache, mild sciatica, as long as the condition is not serious
– can help with feeling less isolated
– emotional grounding, stability and security
– improve bladder and prostate health
– may balance sex drive
– improved health of the sex-organs
– improved digestion/ elimination
– calms stress caused by triggered survival instinct and physical needs that are not catered for
– may help to experience pleasure
– can stimulate your creative expression
– eased feelings of guilt
– increased energy levels

 

Contradictions/ Precautions:
– people suffering from from lower back pain: ensure bum muscles are activated, lift one leg at a time instead of both. High blood pressure, also use single leg variation. All issues stay in your pain free range. Locust pose is not recommended if you are pregnant

Counter pose:

Child’s pose/ Balasana

 

Affirmations or Mantras to go with this movement:

1) “I am moving toward a time where I am totally happy and fulfilled. Life offers me everything I need for that journey.”

2) “I have the right to express my desire to myself and others.”

3) “Who I am is good enough!”
Once you finished your practiced, spend a short time sitting back on your heals into Child’s pose/ Balasana.

My challenge for you until I see you next week 20th October is to do this exercise before you go to bed every night just for a couple of minutes.
– instructions below in the image.

Do several repetitions until you feel you are in a flow and it becomes easier, requiring less concentration, you start feeling relaxed and calm.
Ensure you do not feel any pain, remember pain is a bad teacher. – This is your chance to practice compassion toward yourself and your body – Compassion should be a big part of your yoga practice.
Feel free to pick one of the Affirmations above that resonates with you to repeat whilst you practice to help reprogram your mind at a deeper level as you work on your sacral chakra.
If this asana is not for you at this point in time, be forgiving to your body and sit it out, as we keep practicing you will become more able to do all the things you want to do.

A couple of questions you can ask yourself:
“How much are you prepared to embrace change? Change one small thing today.”

“What sacrifices do you make to suit others? Dysfunctional relationships are toxic to both. Try saying “no” next time. Don’t explain.”

“Is it better to give than to receive? Accepting gifts, with pleasure, gives others something back. Do you deny them they joy of giving?”

 

Esther Ekhart: “Practicing this pose every day for about a week or two and really building up time holding Salabhasana will give you great benefit. It is a kick to suddenly feel you can hold this pose without effort and a certain sense of victory will be yours when you overcome the “hate” part.”

I am exited to hear how are getting on with this new challenge over the next week until 20th Oct. 2015.
Wrap up warm and look after yourself.

Namaste

Marie