Home practice can feel illusive for most of us with hectic lives. Juggling work, children and endless household chores is the norm, and sliding off at 5pm, yoga mat under one arm, scented candle under the other is well, just not going to happen.
There is, I think, a different mindset one where yoga slowly starts to seep into your everyday lives. There are numerous simple ways we can extend the benefits of a weekly class, here are just a few:
- Just breathe
Start your day with 5 long, deep breaths. Inhale through the nose and sigh out your exhale through the mouth. Be as relaxed as possible and think about letting go on the exhale. Allow the shoulders to drop away from the ears and the shoulder blades to melt down the back. If you feel yourself getting stressed though out the day, wherever you are repeat these 5 deep breaths.
- Simple abdominal breathing
Again this can be done anywhere, whenever you have a few moments to spare. Place your right hand on your stomach, below your navel and relax. Feel the breath expanding into the tummy on the inhale and sinking back on the exhale. Abdominal breathing instantly lengthens the breath bringing a sense of calmness.
- Set your feet upon the earth
Be aware of your feet through out the day. When you sit, resist the temptation to cross your legs, placing both feet firmly on the ground, toes pointing forwards. Wriggle and spread the toes, pulse the big and little toes separately. When you walk place your heel down first, then the ball of the foot and finally a strong spread toes. Try to maximize the surface area of your tread so that each toe has its own place on the earth. This will encourage a sense of grounding and connection with the earth. Wherever possible go barefoot!
- Posture
Posture is everything! It’s the easiest thing to correct and the easiest to forget. Remember the rules – ears above shoulders, shoulders above hips, hips above knees, knees above ankles. This creates a straight plum line from head to foot. Relax the shoulders and lengthen through the crown of the head with the chin parallel to the floor. Honour the NATURAL curve of your spine at all times (including sitting). Your tailbone should lift slightly (imagine a dog wagging its tail) so that the lumber (lower back) curve isn’t flattened. For a in depth and fascinating look at our posture and where we western nations continually get in wrong, have a look at the following link – and please spread the word!