Yoga Girl

(WallPaper) #1

Core, Balance, and Shoulder Work


Good core strength is important for the practice of yoga, as


well as for our well-being as a whole. Your abdominals support


your lower back, the spine, and the internal organs. If you


suffer from lower back pain, chances are you need to strengthen


the core to help support the lumbar area of the spine. Our core


is also where our sense of conl·dence lies, the base for how we


walk through life.


Ļe exercises in this chapter can be done as part of a full


yoga session or separately on their own. Ļink about engaging


the belly and pulling the lower ribs in toward the spine to


connect to the transverse abdominals.


Ļe neck and shoulders are where we tend to hold a lot of


stress and tension, and if you spend lots of time sitting in front


of the computer, these exercises will be great for you. You can


even do them at your desk at the office! Sit on the edge of a


chair, keeping your spine long and a yoga strap or a belt close


by to use if you need it.


I love that the things we do in our yoga practice truly help


us create better posture even off the yoga mat. “Draw the


shoulders down the back” or “Lengthen the spine,” common


yoga cues, work just as well when you’re stuck in traffic or


standing in line at the grocery store.


We need balance in all parts of our lives, and the yoga mat is


a great place to start cultivating that! Plant your feet l·rmly on


the ground so that you can grow tall without losing your


balance in life.

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