31 October 2013

Yoga Focus: Rest a While

We are in constant motion from the moment we awake till the moment we drift off to sleep.  I've been in many yoga classes where even when the moment of svasana arrives, some students become restless and resist the seat of stillness.  To stop and rest is becoming a foreign notion to many people because we live in a world that never sleeps.  The internet is constantly buzzing, our phones ringing, people traveling, and our minds constantly shifting focus. 

So this week's blog post is a reminder to rest via one of my favorite restorative yoga postures: Viparita Karani.

Viparita Karani is a wonderful restorative posture that practiced over time can help soften tension and restore circulation.  It is a wonderful posture that most anyone can do (I give a variation below).  Cover your eyes with an eye pillow and make sure you are wearing warm clothing so you don't get too cold if you fall asleep (which I have done many times).  Allow yourself to let go and just relax.  This is your work in this asana.  You can find a walk-through of this asana in the link below.

Viparita Karani - classical version.  Place a bolster or pillow under your hips to give yourself more support.

If you have trouble getting your legs up the wall, you can try a variation called the positive rest posture.  In this variation, your legs are placed on a chair at a 90 Degree angle.  This is a great place to start if you have lower back issues or tight hamstrings.

Positive Rest Position. 



Breathe deep and rest a while.



Useful Links:

Viparita Karani - Yoga Journal Walkthrough
Positive Rest Position Walkthrough








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