Low Lunge - Anjaneyasana
DAY 8 of the #wildloveadvent yoga challenge
Low lunge is a fundamental yoga pose that offers a multitude of benefits for the body and mind. Not only does it help to stretch and strengthen the thighs, but it also plays a crucial role in improving hip mobility and flexibility in the legs. This posture is particularly good for people who run, cycle and do resistance training, as it helps to alleviate tightness and tension in the muscles. Lunges physically lengthen the psoas (Hip flexors) which connect us energetically to our emotions and fight and flight nervous system. When we feel and experience danger this tells the body to retract, (hip flexors tighten) to close and prepare to flee a situation, this is instinctual through evolution. With the pressures of modern life creeping in and overwhelming our capacity to function in highly stressed jobs, responsibilities, relationships and family life this is keeping the body in a state of stress. A response that was supposed to help us run from physical danger is now constantly active because we cannot get back to our never ending emails, we need to pick the kids up from school, the cars broke down, your in your overdraft, a birds just pooped on your shoulder and you forgot to put the bins out! SO making friends with your hip flexors in lunges, whether low or high, even reclined (you'll see) develop a positive relationship with opening the hips and front body and adding it to your practice where you can, can lead to significant improvements in overall physical well-being.
Low Lunge - Anjaneyasana
1. Starting from standing, on your exhale gently fold forward with both knees bent bringing the hands to the ground. Soften through the upper body with every breath out.
2. Step as far back as you can with the right foot and bring the right knee down. Align the left knee and ankle, the sole of the foot is flat and supportive. Inhale lift the heart towards and beyond the left knee exhale to soften the pelvis down towards the floor.
3. Finding a little traction by guiding both feet towards each other (this is a direction of awareness, you don't actually move the feet!) Hands can rest on the front knee, hands to heart, or if you feel comfortable reach the arms high!
4. Why not test your balance by coming into the tip toes of the front foot? Take 5 - 10 deep breaths and feel a release through the hips. Just delicious! Don't forget to do both sides!
+ Stretches the thighs, hip flexors and hips.
+ Strengthens ankles, feet, inner and outer thighs.
+ Releases lower back pain.
+ Creates mobility for the hips and lower body.
+ Aids reproductive health.
Tips & adjustments:
- Place support underneath the knee that rests upon the ground.
- Use blocks underneath the hands to help elevate upper body.
- Can be approached from standing with a chair resting in front to hold onto.
- For a deeper thigh stretch elevate the back knee!
✨ Take part in the 24 day advent challenge! Enjoy a pose a day that can help you find movement, presence and play. Join in any time and if you're sharing on socials be put in the prize draw for a gorgeous Yoga Design Lab mat, a self care gift box or tickets to a future event. Lets share the love for our practice and inspires others along the way.
Take a photo of your posture and share it on Facebook/Instagram with the tag @wildlove_yoga #wildloveadvent
All my love, V
#yogalife #yogalove #yogapractice #yogalive #yogaflow #keeppracticing #loveyoga #vinyasa #meditation #gratitude #yogauk #yogateacher #yogacommunity #yogainspiration #yogaworcestershire #yoga #onlineyoga #yogaadvent #wildloveyoga #christmasyoga #yogaclasses #hipflexors #balance #lunge #yogaposes #yogapostures #yogajournal #yogaprogress
Comentarios