July 8, 2013

Ayurveda/Food

What is your dosha?  Find out with this online test:
http://www.prokerala.com/health/ayurveda/prakriti-analysis/prakriti-test.php
Not all diets are or should be alike because not all people are alike.

Try this drink from YogaJournal to cool you off this week:

Prana Fresca

Combine 1 cup honeydew melon chunks, 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/8 teaspoon himalayan or sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon raw sugar, and 2 ice cubes in a blender. Add 1/3 cup filtered water and blend until smooth.

 

Pranayama/Breath

Here is a great video that teaches the ujjayi breath really well.  This is the basic breath that drives all your postures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nf3jTT2jT0

Asana/Poses

Let's talk about something that effects every pose you get into--alignment.

Alignment Starts at the Feet

Try this:
March in place and then stop.  Look down at your feet.  Are they turned out?  80% of people are duck-footed and pronated (stand weighted on the outside edges of the feet).  This causes major misalignments all the way up the body which can lead to back, hip, knees and even neck issues.

Notice the natural curves in the spine and the placement of the shoulders and elbows behind the coronal plane (the dividing line between front and back).

Stand with your feet turned out and notice how your knees are easily locked, your hips jut forward and your gluts are "squeezing the grape."  Now stand with your toes pointed forward and engage your adductors (inner thighs), weighting more on the inside edges of your feet.  This is the first step in good alignment.  If you find discomfort in a pose and feel like it's misaligned, realign the feet first and the rest should follow.

As for our bakasana variation, here's a little video to help you along.

 

Namaste!