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Slowly increase the length of time you spend in Padmasana. Honour your own body and your own progression. Baddha Konasana can be enjoyed by equally grounding both sitting bones into the earth and then drawing the soles of the feet together. Interlace your palms around the edges of your feet, extend your spine, open your heart and breathe. Padmasana liberates the spine, calms activity in the brain and stimulates the pelvis, abdomen and hips. Padmasana stretches the inner thighs, groins, ankles and knees. Padmasana eases sciatica in the lower back and helps keep joints flexible. |
As we celebrate the change of seasons from summer to fall, we transition from a time of increased energy, activity and external doing, into a rhythm of internal reflection, growth and stability. The human body finds balance and health when in harmony with nature and when living in harmony with the seasons.
Autumn arrives and the body now craves internal warmth and stability to counterbalance the cooler, more dynamic and unsettled climate. Autumn is the most ideal time to become dedicated and devoted to a consistent yoga practice that supports your own individual growth and wellbeing.
Padmasana is a classic yoga pose, challenging in nature, that most often requires regular attention and consistent practice to develop fully. Padmasana is a seat that can be enjoyed for daily meditation or pranayam (breath-work) as you nourish your body and mind. Listen in to your own body. Enjoy Ardha Padmasana or Baddha Konasana* as nourishing alternatives to Full Lotus. Sitting on the floor, with legs extended, begin to equally ground both sitting bones into the earth beneath you. Feel the solid foundation of your body. Bend your right knee, cradling your lower leg as the outer edge of the foot nestles into the crook of your left elbow. Breathe deeply as you softly rock your leg from side to side, gently opening and creating space in your right hip joint, inner thigh and groin.
Begin to swivel from the right hip as you bring the outer edge of the right foot towards the inner left groin. Place the right foot to rest atop the left thigh, with the heel of the right foot drawing in towards the lower belly on your left side. Gently ease the sole of the foot to arrive perpendicular to the floor. Ardha Padmasana (Half Lotus) can be enjoyed by now tucking your left leg under your right leg.
To move towards Padmasana (Full Lotus), begin to bend your left knee, cradling your lower leg, swaying from side to side, as the foot gently rests in the crook of your right elbow. Follow the progressions above until the left foot now rests atop the right thigh, with the heel of the left foot drawing in towards the lower belly on the right side.
Root down into your sitting bones. Allow the energy to rebound back up your spine as you lengthen and create space between each and every vertebra. With the edges of your feet, root the inner groins towards the floor. Softly bow your chin to your chest, in recognition and in gratitude for your body, breath and all the blessings that fill your life. Let your breath expand, feel your chest open, as you now unite your left and right palms together at the centre of your heart.
Pause, breathe and with gratitude, enjoy.
Jennifer Findlay
is the Director of Yoga at 889 Yonge - a Yoga & Holistic Lifestyle Spa in Rosedale. www.889yonge.com. Jennifer is wearing Zobha “Straight Leg Capri,” tank by James Perse, and a Love Heals Necklace. All available at 889 Yonge.
www.889yonge.com
For Mom and Baby
by Julie Watson