๐ง๐ฝSo this morning was the start of YWA 30-day yoga journey themed โBREATHโ, my first one! ๐๐๐ And from the pics you can see I was excited to start. I had our yoga mats all ready set out for both hubby and me at 7am this morning, and this is on an annual leave day!!!
๐And I wanted to show my (new! yay!) mat, with all sorts of blankets, yoga bricks and pillows, as I realised over a couple of recent Yoga sessions that using anything available, also from around my living-room, really helps. Santa helpfully had brought me two Yoga bricks as well.
๐๐ฝAnd @cheekychipmunks on the forum helpfully reminded me that Adriene suggests herself โfind what feels goodโ. And I did.
๐งฑThe two yoga bricks where invaluable for giving me a bit of height when doing downward dog, and using these - sometimes flat and sometimes sideways for a bit more height - meant I could do all the downward dog related positions, like forward folds, planks (with highest side up) and forward folds.
๐The seating pillow was essential for my knees in any all-fours position, and I at times added a blanket on top of this. I can feel my knees getting better, but I do need that extra-lush padding, otherwise my kneecaps feel as if they are squished into painful positions.
๐๐ง๐ฝSo blankets for extra cushioning for knees and also for sitting on for a bit extra height in the cross legged position. But thatโs just for extra comfort, I can happily do the cross legged position, one pose that doesnโt give me any problems.
๐ถThe roll and bigger sitting pillows is for extended childโs pose. One for the front, and one (if needed, but I didnโt need it this time) for support to sit back on.
So you can see Iโm still having quite a challenge managing all sorts of positions but with a bit of help from my livingroom upholstery Iโm getting there ca 70%.
And it feels good, so I can recommend to anyone having sore joints or back or legs, feel free to use anything to adapt the positions.
As Adriene says, find what feels good!
Happy working out everyone!
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CBDB
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Well CBDB - you definitely have all the right equipment there! I enjoyed the session with the help of a thick towel as advised, my only difficulty was seeing everything and doing it, that being said I did work all the way through it and was surprised at my flexibility and strength which was greatly improved from before HU - wow!๐คฉ so thatโs inspired me to continue to see how much more I can achieve by day 30 - great start to 2021 many thanks ๐
I agree Linda 9389 itโs just me getting used to everything she does though go at a gentle pace which I appreciate as I tried something similar well over 18months ago and was lost in the first few minutes ๐คฃ๐คฃ
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Goldโข in reply toOver62
Yes! Fab! Iโm also up for only very gently pushing, so am not looking to make great strides, but rather little, sustainable steps of improvement. But as you, over62, I am already surprised by the progress of having done now ca 10 - 12 yoga sessions with YWA.
Some useful ideas there but I haven't tried anything serious yet. I'm doing it my normal way of skipping through the video first to see what I'll be needing to do and then later going back to do it. This first one is going to be a challenge with all those tabletops/cats/cows/dogs/planks as I currently have a bad wrist (arthritis flare up). Not sure how to get round that but I'll give at least some of it a go.
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Goldโข in reply toslipstick
Yeah let us know how you get on, as your experience might be valuable for others. I have done downward dog even with a chair, putting much less pressure on hands but I donโt have any wrist problems, so it just might need a different creative solution.
Cat - Cow I have seen done simply in a cross-legged sitting pose, as well.
Unfortunately at the moment my left hand and wrist are bad. I can't even make a fist. My current plan is to rest my forearms on a low table. I gave it a quick try and it sort of works for tabletop/cat/cow and even plank but not for down dog. So perhaps I'll just breathe at that point๐.
Cheers for the ideas. I'll fit something in but it definitely won't be child's pose. My knees don't bend that far and I'm pretty sure they never will. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite literally a real pain.
I did a 16 minute stretch with her yesterday. Will do todayโs after Mr. Lottie has gone to bed...the only decent floor space I have is in the living room. ๐
She mentioned about using what you have to hand...towels and cushions...you donโt *need* specific โyogaโ equipment, and of course...
...Finding What Feels Good...๐ฅฐ
Namaste ๐๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Goldโข in reply toLottieMW
Aww so glad you enjoyed it CBDB. ๐ฅฐ Great that youโre working out what works for you. Adriene would approve! ๐
I have numerous blocks, a lovely yoga blanket and a favourite pillow. I donโt use them much - although I find sitting up on a block helpful for longer crossed legged periods - but theyโre there as security blankets and that helps me. I still do crow with a pillow and blanket just in case of a face plant. That hurts, I know, Iโve done it! ๐คฃ
Lovely practice today. Iโm looking forward to tomorrow. ๐งโโ๏ธ Namaste ๐๐ป
Yes, yoga spaces in videos always look so minimalist. But not in my house ๐ and great to read that even more experienced yogis have their sets of blankety and cuddly helpers ๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ง๐ฝ ๐๐
That is great CBDB! I havenโt had a chance to do todayโs yet but your post reminded me to grab some aids before I start. Iโm looking forward to it.
I just did Day 1. It was great! I found her descriptions quite good so I found I only had to check the pose occasionally. I tend to have tight wrists and struggle with a lot of activities that require a bent wrist but her guidance and poses really helped. I didnโt need to modify or stop the poses early. Of course both cats tried to get in on the action which made for a challenge at times, but we got through it ๐
Hi Saska Iโve just posted on CBDBโs other post, I have problems with my wrists too and do some of Adrieneโs wrists exercises videos, one of my faves is Yoga for Healthy Wrists, just over 3 minutes long and set to a song written by her friend. Its cool ๐๐ป
Yes it was strange and it is an area that gives me issues at times during yoga and pilates so maybe your right need more and this will help perhaps
Brilliant session CBDB, but pardon 7am ๐ด twas on board the sleepy train hurtling through tunnel's of snoozey sleep ๐คญ, though I did partake in the squats and limbering up stretches pre run ๐
Looking really good... I am playing catch up as I only twigged to this after I put the Bridge Quest up!I am still finding it a struggle with certain poses that really cause issues for my neck...but am adapting! My studio can be a tad chilly, to begin with so the pillows and a folded blanket are welcome
You have some super gear ! You were obviously a very good girl last year !
PS
I have also for my personal challenge started an online ballet class for the elderly adult Supposed to benefit so many bits of the ancient body! Silver Swans.... with the Royal Academy of Dance.
See what you have got me into with all your great ideas and that Advent Challenge! xx
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Goldโข in reply toOldfloss
Oh wow!!! Ballet!!! And RAD!!! Brilliant!!! Iโm in awe (even more)!
Thanks for the thanks, itโs easy with all the work that has gone before me, from individuals like yourself! ๐๐๐ฝ๐ค
It was all new to me and I realise just how much tension I have in my body! But I'm really hoping that after a month there will be less. Child 2 lent me her new yoga mat after she had done the session ๐ฅฐ
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Goldโข in reply toRowers
Oh well done! Yes, from various yoga sessions over the last month Iโm already seeing an improvement for my knees. Maybe itโs time to maybe acquire your own mat so you can do the sessions together? Iโm doing it with hubby, and our collective groaning, moaning and chuckles in themselves is a fun shared experience in itself . ๐
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Supposed to benefit so many bits of the ancient body! Silver Swans.... with the Royal Academy of Dance.