Yoga_Journal_USA_Your_6Week_2017

yoga living

PHOTO: DAVID MARTINEZ; MODEL: JESSICA OM; STYLIST: LYN HEINEKEN;HAIR/MAKEUP: COLLEEN STONE/FORD ARTISTS MIAMI; SHORTS: ONZIE

Choose a comfortable,

quiet room, and sit

peacefully with crossed

legs. Feel your buttocks

supporting you fully. From

that grounded feeling,

draw your navel slightly

inward and consciously

reach your spine up, sit-

ting tall and straight.

Lift through the top of

your head as you feel the

shoulder blades actively

engage and drop down

the back, and the arms

tighten then relax. Retain

enough tension to hold

the upright pose, but

allow all excess effort

to fall away.

With each breath, bring

tension and relaxation

to your body, first feeling

the power of the breath,

then releasing fully into

the present moment. In-

hale, and feel your inner

power; exhale, and let

that power naturally ex-

pand into the world.

Practice this beautiful

meditation for 5–10

minutes every day. Allow

yourself to feel the con-

nection between your

efforts on the mat and

your spiritual self.

POST-

PRACTICE

PAUSE

Meditate on your

body’s integrity,

ability, and agility

to feel the results

of our 6-Week

Yoga Guide.

by Hillari Dowdle

112 YOGAJOURNAL.COM YOUR 6-WEEK YOGA GUIDE TO BUILD STRENGTH