Yoga Blanket Origami...A little work for total comfort is so worth it.
Find a sturdy chair and place it at one end of your Yoga mat, so it does not slide across the floor as you lean into it for support. Take any thick, wool blanket and fold it to the appropriate height so you can sit comfortably on the floor, by elevating the hips. Sit any way you like, remembering to switch the cross of your legs at the half way point. You can also sit on a Yoga block or bolster if that feels better for you. All about comfort here, folks…one of Donna’s assistant teachers here, Susan Turtletaub of Seattle, says, “If you haven’t found that ‘ooohhh, la la’ feeling in the first thirty seconds, take a moment to readjust yourself and your props until you do.” So, be patient with the set up for these next poses, as you will see a much greater return on the investment of your time.
Step One: Use the chair to find length through the side body and spine to deepen the breath.
Step Two: Fold the arms if comfortable. Turn head to opposite side and change which arm is on top when you are half way through your time, to create more balance.
Take a sturdy bolster and settle one end into your lap, as the other end leans up against your chair. Gradually allow the weight of your torso, the organs, the breath to settle into its full support. You can turn your head gently to the side or rest your forehead into the bolster…choose whichever position provides you with the most comfort. Allow your awareness to drift into the bolster as you breathe into the front body; notice with full support that you can also observe the breath into the back space of the body. Listen. Rest. Stay for a few minutes per side, again adding time only as you feel comfortable with repeated practice over time. Knowing that the body is deeply relaxed, as you change sides stay very mindful and gentle with your movements. Go slowly and take your time to make the transition out of the pose as well, as you gradually shift weight over the hips and sit upright. Softly open your eyes.
We breathe approximately 22,000 times each day. Allow these Restorative Yoga postures to help you find a deeper connection to, and a deeper quality of each breath. Have a peaceful start to your week.
Cheri
2 comments
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January 18, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Tom C
Thanks for the posts Cheri.. Thoughts and questions concerning the restorative posts. As i have been learning how the body works i have envisioned the asanas (postures) as the process of the mind and body learning and awareness of each other resulting in the activation of various muscle groups to accomplish a specific task with in a range of comfort for the specific person doing the pose. That range of comfort develops to a greater degree of complexity as the mind/ muscle unit works more efficiently together and the muscles strength and flexibility increases and the minds efficiency at influence effecting the working process becomes more complex combined with ones spirit (which is even more complex to put into words)
With this in mind (right or wrong), am i correct in understanding that the mind and spirit is now working in unison with the various muscle groups to
coordinate passive disengagement of work. Something I don’t think i ever purposely think about. I assume the body will do it on its own.
I like the concept. Since i know my body often needs to assisted to relax because of all the various stimulus i get each day to keep achieving. Ones work is never done.
The next question i would have is do either of the postures/asanas differ for a man vs a woman because of how we are made at the various levels of complexity.
Namaste
Tom
January 19, 2010 at 5:25 am
evolvewellness
Hi Tom,
I created a post called Active Undoing to respond to part of your inquiry. In regards to the restoratives adapting to men and women…the posts I have here are appropriate for both. The main rule of thumb is to follow your own intuition and physical structure, giving the body the support it needs in order to truly relax and enjoy the pose. Looking forward to hearing about your experience with them. Say a quick question – does Sharon know how to access the blog?