Last night was the first night of Beth's 8-week beginner yoga series. I am starting again! After four months off, it felt good to feel my body. My shoulder has a little stiffness still.  I can't fully raise my right arm above my head, with straight arms slightly behind my ears like Beth likes. It is close, but not where it was last fall.  Also the warrior poses that she likes so much…  I can only hold my arm out straight for so long…

 

Sitting on a bolster with legs crossed, Beth instructs us to place our hands beside us and lift and open our chests. Then, without losing the openness, place your hands on your thights.  Now close your eyes and become aware of where the edges of your feet touch the floor. Become aware of the alignment of your torso, find the balance from your head to your sits bones. From the front to the back. From side to side. Balanced and centered.  Relax your shoulders down and away from your ears. Raise your hands to prayer position and feel the pressure of your thumbs against your sternum. The hands are together, but relaxed. Firmly touching, but not tense. Look over at your right shoulder. Can it move back and down a little further? And still be relaxed?  Now check your left shoulder. Can it move just a little further back and down? Keep it relaxed. Turn your head forward again, and then look down at your hands. Look at your entire body beneath you. Feel your self, here and now. From the sides of your feet, to your hands, to your torso. You are here in this body, in the present.

 

Now let's work on standing in tadasana…

 

I dedicate this practice to My Yoga Life.

 

Cheers,

-B