December’s Pose

Hello friends,

Every month we will feature a pose, asana - to consider whole heartedly, to practice, to meditate with, to give oneself the time to evolve with. Bernie Clark, founder of Yin yoga says it right, “we don’t use our body to get into the pose, we use the pose to get into our body.” The pose itself becomes uniquely our very own as we practice and enjoy it. Yep, I said enjoy ;). Poses should feel good, that’s how you know you’re doing it right.

There is a difference between feeling good in a ‘watching Ted Lasso in my pj’s with a glass of pinot noir’ kind of way, and feeling good in a yoga class kind of way. In any fitness class we need to put on our can-do mindset and push ourselves. In yoga it is paramount to only push oneself to one’s first edge, another Bernie motto. This is why yoga should feel good, because as we do this gentle practice we become more resilient, more strong, or more flexible depending on the focus taken.

Yoga, asana is truly a blueprint, you make it yours.

Some poses indeed are difficult, with all the alignment cues, focus, and strength required… “to just lift up a little more, squeeze here, and then breathe,” or something along the lines of that. We’ve all been there! The magic is in the journey.

Find your, “happy place” I like to say and start there. Gently move your body to your edge, and overtime see your progress.

Our December Pose is going to be Easy Pose. In the pose breathe for at least 1 minute. You can listen to a song, or try it at work mid-day, or even in your car (once parked). The options are truly endless!

This pose, Sukhasana, is actually incredible important. The name does not necessarily mean it’s easy, instead it signifies ‘to do with ease.’ Many teachers begin their classes with this pose, it’s great for meditation, and is something you can do almost anywhere!

Read on to learn how-to and to learn variations available:

Variation 1 - Traditionally students will cross their legs in a comfortable seated position. Find a long spine, shoulder’s down and back, and arms rested on either side (on legs, or simply lengthened by each side)

Variation 2 - Seated cross legged, arms lift up to heart center, shoulders down and back.

Variation 3 - Seated cross legged, gentle twist side to side.

Variation 4 - Seated cross legged, stretch neck to the side, gently bringing one hand up and pulling down, then switch sides.

Variation 5 - Seated in a chair, legs hang down, feet equally planted on the ground, arms rest on lap, shoulder’s down and back, spine long.

Variation 6 - Same as the first variation, this time with a Mudra. Check out my next post for Mudra info. :)

Try Sukhasana everyday, no matter how busy you are! Make a pact with yourself that you will do it daily and see yourself become more relaxed, focused, etc. First of course decide your goal… the magic will happen.

I’d love for you to share your version of the pose, thoughts and inspiration. Tag @viveamvmt on Instagram