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.