All about Yoga and Health

I’m so not committed to my yoga class despite crying out loud that I should have gone back to the class. There’s always an excuse of stopping me from going like the rain, the last minute appointment, the kids, the knitting project and etc. In short, I was not committed enough.

Thus, the best way to slim down with yoga is practicing some yoga poses at home. I’ve been learning on and off for a year years, so I can do some poses on my own. Furthermore, I might get a yoga book and master the poses at home by myself. It’s not advisable for beginner though, but if you have some experience in yoga and know your limit, you can give it a try.

So, I guess I will shop for a yoga book in these few days but in the mean time, I better get away from my laptop and start practicing these yoga poses:

MAIN MOVE: Crescent (Firms abs, hips, and thighs)

Stand with feet together, toes forward, and arms at sides. Inhale and raise arms overhead, reaching fingertips toward ceiling. Exhale, and bend forward from hips, bringing hands to floor (it’s okay to bend knees). Inhale, and as you exhale, step right leg back into a lunge (left knee bent about 90 degrees, knee over ankle; right leg extended and on ball of foot). Inhale and raise arms overhead; gaze forward. Hold, then return to standing and repeat, stepping left leg back.

Make it Harder: From end position, inhale and arch torso, arms, and head backward, gazing at fingertips.

Make it Easier: Lower right knee to touch floor as you step back into a lunge, and rest hands on left thigh.

MAIN MOVE: Willow (Firms sides of abs)

Stand with feet together, arms at sides. Place sole of left foot on inside of right thigh, knee bent to side. Touch palms in front of chest for 2 breaths. On third inhale, extend arms up, fingertips toward ceiling. Exhale, and on the inhale, bend torso to left. Inhale and straighten. Repeat 3 to 5 times, pressing foot into thigh; switch sides.

Make it Easier: Keep left foot on calf or touch toes to floor for balance.

Make it Harder: Close eyes as you balance and bend.

MAIN MOVE: Rocking Boat (Firms abs and back)

Sit with knees bent, feet on floor, hands on thighs. With torso straight and head in line with body, lean back about 45 degrees, raising feet so calves are parallel to floor, toes pointed. On an inhale, extend arms and legs, keeping legs together. Exhale, and as you inhale, lower torso and legs 3 to 4 inches so body forms a wider V shape. Exhale and raise torso and legs. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Make it Easier: Hold backs of thighs with hands and keep legs bent. Lower torso only.

Make it Harder: Once in the wider V position, extend arms overhead.

MAIN MOVE: Hover (Firms shoulders, arms, abs, and back)

Begin in push-up position on toes with arms straight, hands below shoulders, and body in line from head to heels. On an exhale, lower chest toward floor, bending elbows back, arms close to body, abs tight. Hold a few inches above floor.

Make it Easier: Begin on hands and knees and walk hands forward until body is in line from head to knees.

Make it Harder: While holding the hover, lift left leg 6 to 12 inches, pause, and lower. Do 3 to 5 times, then switch legs.

MAIN MOVE: Chair (Firms butt and thighs)

Stand with feet together, toes forward, arms at sides. Inhale and raise arms overhead, palms facing each other. Exhale and sit back about 45 degrees, keeping knees behind toes and abs tight to support back; gaze forward.

Make it Easier: Do the move with feet hip-distance apart, hands on thighs, and bend only about 30 degrees.

Make it Harder: After you sit back, lift heels off floor, balancing on balls of feet (knees will be in front of toes); gaze up at fingertips.

Gosh, I think I will sweat after 2 sets of each!