 |
| Picture courtesy of hubby's creative iphoto exploration :) |
(Yes...I just called myself a gal...I think that's new Louisville slang I've picked up) :)
In all seriousness, inversions can be super scary for so many of us. Unless we are genetically inclined to still do cartwheels in our 20's and 30's at a whim... inversions will feel uncomfortable initially. They did for me....and still do if I'm out of practice.
To give a little perspective, I started practicing yoga about 8ish years ago...and about 4ish years ago I started attending a class regularly on Friday nights where the instructor would teach headstand and shoulder stand every class. When it got to THOSE moments in class...I just wanted to cringe...well actually I think I did cringe....I really just wanted to walk out of the room...or drop into Savasana. I did NOT want to try them...because after many failed attempts..the poses felt uncomfortable, unsafe...and super scary to me.
The instructor recognizing my fear worked with me one on one a few times to provide hands on assists to help me feel the pose in a safe way where I knew she was there to support me. Wow! Did that literally change my perspective. Finding that the strength and balance are already within....its tapping into your own courage and learning a few key anatomical techniques for proper setup and wala...Inversions are no longer "Fearasanas"!
 |
| Overcoming my fear of inversions & arm balances a few years ago |
I loved this paragraph in a recent yoga journal article about the many benefits of inversions, "A yoga practice without inversions is like a marriage without a spouse, lemonade without lemons, or a body without a heart—the essence is missing. Inversions set yoga apart from other physical disciplines: Psychologically, they allow us to see things from an alternate perspective. Emotionally, they guide the energy of the pelvis (the energy of creation and personal power) toward the heart center, enabling self-exploration and inner growth. Physically, they stimulate the immune and endocrine systems, thereby invigorating and nourishing the brain and the organs. When done correctly, inversions also release tension in the neck and the spine."
If you live in the Louisville area....I am hosting an inversion & arm balance workshop Saturday, March 16th from 2-4pm at Shine yoga and movement studio. I am super excited to share the gift of support alignment with you....you've already got all the strength and courage needed!Other great yoga journal resources on inversions:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to comment on a post you find interesting! Your feedback is always appreciated!