1 Doing the laundry
From gathering the wash to folding
the socks, this duty tops my list of
mind-numbing chores.
GET MINDFUL: LAUNDRY LIFT
l Use each laundry basked lift to
strengthen your lower back, core, and
legs, based on yoga’s goddess pose.
l Separate your legs shoulder-width
for a small laundry basket, wider for a
larger one.
l Inhale, and bend your knees and squat
down to pick up the basket, keeping
your heels on the floor if you can (you
don’t have to go all the way down).
l Exhale, keep your chest and face lifted
as you lift your tummy upwards and
inward to stand up and lift the rest of
your body. Press your legs downward
into the floor at the same time.
l Proceed with laundry, or repeat for
gym-like squats at home.2 Brushing your teeth
It’s just two minutes twice a day
dedicated to dental care, but those
minutes can drag.
GET MINDFUL: BRUSH AND BREATHE
l A type of yoga breathing can help
you get calm and centred for the day
ahead (or for bed).
l As you brush, inhale and count to six
slowly. Continue brushing; exhale and
count to six slowly. Keep repeating
that equal breath count as long as you
brush (and you don’t have to match
the brush strokes to the count, as long
as you keep breathing deeply).“Yoga teaches us that the
more we balance effort
with ease, the closer we
are to bliss.”om mind
17-20 Jul Yoga & Walking
31 Jul-4 Aug Youth Yoga retreat
21-23 Aug Ayurveda—Tailored for you
28-31 Aug Yoga & Walking
25-28 Sept Meditation & Walking
6-9 Oct Meditation & Walking
6-8 Nov Yoga & Dance
27-29 Nov Yoga, Detox & Nutritiondruyoga.com
[email protected]20%
discount
for OM
readers
RETREATS
SNOWDONiA
NATiONAl PARk
Quote ‘Om May offer’ when you
book. Offer ends 1st June 2015.
T&Cs apply.(01248 602900
Spectacular UK location
Dru Yoga third page retreats.indd 1 31/03/2015 13:423 Standing in a long line
The longer you wait in line, the more
moments you have to obsess about
what’s taking so long.
GET MINDFUL: HAPPY HIPSTER
l A component of standing half moon
pose helps to create some fun energy
while you wait and also stretches your
outer hips, firms your core, and gives
your spine more flexibility.
l Standing in line, feel your body
weight evenly between both sides
of your body.
l Keeping both feet on the ground, start
to lean your weight into one foot. At
the same time, let your hip pop out in
the direction of your lean and direct
your upper body to lean back toward
the other direction. Switch sides,
keeping your hips moving side to side
(perhaps to an imaginary happy song
you’ll hum quietly while you wait).4 Sitting and Waiting
With Your SO
(Significant Other)
Sitting side by side on the bench,
waiting for something to start, time
is ticking slowly.
GET MINDFUL: TWO FOR DEVOTION
l Partner up in a loving, calm way, using
a mudra (hand yoga) of devotion,
and work your upper arm muscles at
the same time. Sit closely next to one
another. Place the hand closest to
each other (the inside hand) on your
own hearts. Connect your outside
palms (the ones farthest away)
together. Close your eyes, breathe
deeply, and feel your hearts connect.5 In a rut, period (could
be anytime, anywhere)
You’re just feeling blah and
completely unmotivated, and
you need to shift toward a more
productive and positive place.
GET MINDFUL: NOT SO HO HUM
l Chant an adaptation of an ancient
mantra meant to elevate and awaken
your mind; it’ll change your attitude
from ‘ho-hum’ to ‘oh yeah’.
l Breathing normally, say aloud or in
your mind: ‘Not So Ho Hum.’
l Repeat as often as you’d like, because
you can put good things in your mind
to shift your thinking.Christine Chen is a yoga teacher and author
of the new book Happy-Go-Yoga