By Diana Ross, E-RYT 500, Co-Founder of Breast Cancer Yoga
Absolutely one of my favorite poses. You can feel your hips releasing tension. Then feel your spine extend and relax. Finally you can rest your forehead and focus solely on your breath. We don’t often sit in a crossed leg pose. Instead we sit and sit and our hips get tight. Well again this is the perfect pose to alleviate tight hips and be present.
Benefits
- Opens hip socket
- Lengthens hamstrings
- Stretches lower spine in a forward bend
- Increases external range of femur in hip socket
- Prepares body for seated poses
- supports relaxation
- Relieves anxiety and depression
- Lowers stress hormone output
- Anti-stress benefits for lowered blood pressure
- Decreased heart rate
- Enhances well-being and rest
- Supports lower back and eases muscle spasms
- Multiple props create a sense of security and protection
Contraindications
- Knee injury
Instructions
- Begin seated with lifted spine on a folded blanket or small pillow with pelvis bones tilted forward.
- Place right foot in front of pelvis and place left foot vertical in front. Make sure to use a pillow under hips if any discomfort is felt. Also place any props under knees if needed.
- INHALE, lift and lengthen spine and EXHALE, lengthen forward.
- Ultimately you could rest
- forehead on bolster.
- Stay for as long as the hip releases
- for 5/10 full breaths.
- Repeat on other side.
To experience the benefits of yoga for breast cancer, it is essential that you begin with simple, gentle yoga movements. You should also consult a doctor before you begin practicing yoga. It is also necessary that you follow a yogic diet that consists of a mainly vegetarian diet to enhance the benefits of yoga.
About Diana Ross: E-RYT 500 restorative yoga teacher, survivor that cares and founder of Breast Cancer Yoga. Diana is making a difference with Breast Cancer Yoga therapeutic products designed to support you emotionally and physically during breast cancer . We want to give you the attention and personal service you need so please email us at info@breastcanceryoga.com if you have questions.
Good Morning Diana,
I thank you for all your emails and information. I just got back from having a wonderful experience at Hippocrates Institute. I am interested in attending one of your classes and I look forward to seeing you.
with gratitude~KAthy
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Look forward to seeng you.
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I want to re-start practicing yoga. Can you recommend a place on line where I can order the blocks seen in your photo? I am a survivor: six year breast cancer; 20+ years Rheumatoid Arthritis; 6 years peripheral neuropathy lower extremities; and, 10+ years Fibromyalgia. I love reading your post and look forward to the possibility of actually practicing some of them.
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http://www.yogaaccessories.com or http://www.yogadirect.com are the two I use for my props. Yes, restart your practice. It should be all about you now. peace.
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