Using Props in Yoga

Moody Beach

Do you use props properly?

Props can deepen a pose or support a pose that is, for whatever reason, a bit difficult for you.  I decided to have fun in triangle pose i needed the support of some driftwood at the beach that particular day.  My body was not warmed up, it was a cold and damp day and I was looking to create balance.  I was attempting to pose so my friend, Terri could snap a few photos. 
Terri needed to practice using her new lens and I needed some pictures for my portfolio.  Win-win situation I thought.

There are some general rules that I believe you should think about if you are a prop kind of a person.  I never used props until I began training.  Now I use them, especially at the beginning of my practice. 

Yoga is used to bring your body into balance.  If you are constantly fighting to stay in a pose, struggling to get out of a pose, or can't stay in a pose long enough to receive the benefits that consider using props.  But, with that said here are a few ideas or thoughts as you gather your props and get on your mat.
1.  Be your own guide.  Know what your body is telling you.  listen to yourself.  Awareness is key.

2.  Use props and then don't use them.  Explore the difference.

3.  Be open to using anything as a prop.  You can move a bit closer to a wall during balance poses (or a friend's shoulder), double fold your mat for your knees, use a sock to help slide across a hardwood floor.  Be open, and use your imagination.

4.  Ask for help or assistance or a gentle adjustment.

5.  Trust your inner guidance.  Your body knows what to do...don't always listen to your mind chatter.

Props can be a wonderful tool for those of us that need to find comfort in a difficult pose.  I use props in the restorative and adaptive yoga classes that I teach to find total relaxation and de-stress with ease.  I use props to help students find poses that they would not be able to do without assistance.  Adaptive yoga is a wonderful style of yoga that allows many people find their way onto a mat, stretch, strengthen and soften their body in ways they never knew they could by finding their own pose. 

Remember yoga is about balance on and off your mat.  Yoga means to unite.  Unite the breath and movement to reach a meditative state of being, and if that means using a prop or two then go for it. 

Everything in moderation!
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Janine is a yoga instructor and Life Coach practicing from her home studio. She invites students to her studio for one on one personal sessions, as well as traveling to the home for small groups. If you are looking for gentle yoga to increase flexibility, strength and decrease stress within, this is the style of yoga that you want for your practice. As a life coach, she leads educational coaching series along with personal one on one life coaching using the Co-Active Coaching techniques. You can reach her at 207-251-9577

Oh, My aching Back

Those dog-gone hips are to blame.

Most people with issues in their neck, shoulders, back, hips, sciatic, legs and feet can put the blame on the alignment of their body.   More specifically, 65% of all people who  have these pains can blame their hips.  When your hips are out of alignment, the rest of your body needs to compensate, or it tries to adjust causing aches and pains. 

According to Lee Albert, an neuromusclar therapist at Kripalu Center, explains people have either an anterior pelvic tilt, rotated pelvis or elevated pelvis.
Here is the solution.  It takes one minute and you will feel relief.  Doesn't that sound fantastic. Then, (another secret) to keep your instant relief you must maintain correct posture during the day.  At your desk, driving, cooking, cleaning, watching tv, knitting, sewing, using your phone, computer and ipads, you must practice and maintain proper balance.    Yes, it takes effort, but very little effort to reduce your pain and feel great.  You can do it!!

Most importantly,  this is the important part...you need to stretch your quads.  When your quads are lengthened (stretched) your hamstrings will come into balance, correcting long and tight hamstrings.  This method of stretching is called Positional Therapy or 'slacking' the muscle.  I am saying when you have a sore back you need to work your front.  If you have hamstrings that are tight, I want you to work your quadriceps. Yes, this is correct. 
Positional therapy strengthens, stretches and slackens your muscles.  Yes, we want all three.  To strengthen, to stretch and to slack. 
I recently went to a training at Kripalu studying with Lee Albert, neuromusclar therapist and yoga instructor.  He explains this in detail.  To learn more, www.leealbert.com
Try these three yoga poses to release stress, tension, and soften your body.  Take your yoga practice to a new level and practice these structural yoga remedies.
I am using these poses in my practice as I develop a sequence for people in pain.  Most people that I work with have some back pain, arthritis, sciatica, shoulder pain or neck tension caused by a variety of reasons.  I hope you benefit from these poses as well.

1.  Thread the needle
2.  Alligator (1/2 frog pose)
3. Supine twist

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Janine is a yoga instructor and Life Coach practicing from her home studio. She invites students to her studio for one on one personal sessions, as well as traveling to the home for small groups. If you are looking for gentle yoga to increase flexibility, strength and decrease stress within, this is the style of yoga that you want for your practice. As a life coach, she leads educational coaching series along with personal one on one life coaching using the Co-Active Coaching techniques. You can reach her at 207-251-9577

june: What to expect

Taking a look at June 2012

June is the sixth month in numerology.  Six represents family, healing, and responsibilities.  May caused some change to happen, now June picks up the pieces and begins to sort them out.  Like a puzzle, look for those missing pieces and start fitting them together.  Use your intuition this month and trust your gut.

You will look deeply inward and your relationships will intensify.  This is partially caused by the month and the year.  June (6) + 2012 (5), added together provides us with an 11 this month.  Everything will be magnified and intensified.  Weed out this month and look for those things that need your attention and go for it.

Real answers lie in the letting go of the things that we find un-useful.  Real answers come in those missing pieces that you will find.  You will feel challenged this month, and this is because you will be forced to make some necessary adjustments in order to establish the harmony that you well deserve. 

Real answers come with sorting things out...de-clutter, organize and weed out the toxic things that are blocking you.

With clear intentions and expectations, you will begin to align yourself on your path. 

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Janine is a yoga instructor and Life Coach practicing from her home studio. She invites students to her studio for one on one personal sessions, as well as traveling to the home for small groups. If you are looking for gentle yoga to increase flexibility, strength and decrease stress within, this is the style of yoga that you want for your practice.  As a life coach, she leads educational coaching series along with personal one on one life coaching using the Co-Active Coaching techniques. You can reach her at 207-251-9577