Let's Get Started!
It's not so important how long you practice each day, what is important is to do something every day in order to build the habit. If you are tired or you just don’t feel like practicing one day, still show up for a micro-practice that can take as little as ONE MINUTE. Just sit on your meditation cushion for a few moments of peaceful reflection. Or try any one of these one-pose yoga practices that you can do anywhere - no yoga mat required.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL TODAY?
Try HAPPY BABY pose (Ananda Balasana).
Lying on your back, bend both knees into your belly, with feet facing the ceiling. Take hold of your big toes or the outsides of your feet. Then play around, have fun, finding all the different ways you can move while you hold onto your feet, like a baby exploring their body, full of joy and free from worries.
Try WARRIOR II pose (Virabhadrasana II).
Step one foot back from mountain pose. Your front foot faces straight forward, your back foot points outward or slightly forward. Align your front knee directly over the heel, pointing straight forward. Bend your front knee towards 90 degrees, your back leg stays straight and strong. Ground down through all four corners of both feet and align your spine tall over your hips. Then, float your arms up to extend straight forwards and backwards energetically from the heart, palms facing the floor. Turn your gaze forwards over your left arm, gazing at your target, unwavering.
Try MOUNTAIN POSE (Tadasana).
Stand with your feet hip width apart and parallel, root down through your feet and feel solid, lift your kneecaps to engage your legs. Gently engage your abdominal muscles. Shoulders are relaxed. Arms are relaxed but active - palms can be facing in or forwards. Your spine should be tall and straight, as though an invisible thread is attached to the crown of your head pulling gently skyward, creating a sensation of spaciousness in your spine.
Try GODDESS pose (Deviasana).
Come to standing and take a wide stance, with your knees bent and your feet and knees pointed out at a 45 degree angle, knees over heels. Bend both knees as low as you can. Keep your spine long and tall. Bring your hands out to cactus position, or together at heart-centre. Stay as long as you like, feeling the power and the generosity of the pose.
Try CHILD'S POSE (Balasana).
Come to hands and wide-spaced knees, with the tops of your feet on the floor and your big toes touching. Bring your hips to sit on your heels. Lower your forehead towards the floor, or to stacked fists or forearms; if your forehead is on the ground, you can reach your arms forward, or back by your heels. This is a gentle, calming rest pose you can stay in for as long as you like.
Try SAVASANA. Sometimes that is all you need to do.
