Be Present This Holiday Season

Embrace the opportunity to spend more time with friends and family. Make a HOLIDAY RESOLUTION to stay healthy!

During the Month of December I'll investigate ways we can all stay healthy in mind, body and spirit as we attend HOLIDAY PARTIES, SHOP AND GET WORK DONE so we can take time off.

Tip For Today: Take time to RELAX. End your day with a yoga pose.

Viparita Karini "Legs up the Wall Pose" is a great way to end your day.

Q:Sounds Easy? How do I begin?

A: Start by sitting next to a wall with on hip actually touching the wall. Roll onto your side and slide your legs up the wall. If your glutes (seat) slides away from the wall, press your elbows into the ground and feet into the wall and shimmy your glutes closer to the wall. Find the restful place for your to recline on the floor with your back on the floor, seat into the wall and legs up the wall.

Q: Is that it?
A: It can be. You can recline here with your spine supported and legs active. Flex your feet and engage your quads. Encourage the flesh of your thighs to internally rotate and aim toward the wall like you would if in Downward Facing Dog. Your hands cal rest next to your side body, palm facing up about 30 degrees from your torso. Breathe. Shut your eyes. Rest here for 8-10 minutes if possible.

Q:What if I want more?
A: A variation to encourage deep breathing would be to place your right hand on your heart and left hand on your navel. As you inhale feel your right hand elevate and as you exhale feel it lower and the left hand elevate. Practice lengthening your breath, perhaps counting to 3, 5, 7 as you inhale and the same breath length as you exhale. This encourages your lung capacity to build as you rest. PLUS, deep breathing reduces stress!

Q: Anything Else?
A: Yes, the legs can go into variations also. They can open into a wide "V" to open your hips and groins. You can also bring your feet into baddha konasana against the wall and allow your knees to splay wide to open your hips and groins a bit more. Just be careful to draw your navel to your spine to protect your lower back. You want to keep your spine as neutral as possible in all variations.

While you rest, try to let go of the activities of the day for the few minutes you are in your pose. Let your pose be your time, your personal sanctuary among the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season!