Sue's Yoga Blog

Welcome to my Blog.
It is full of yoga related information in the form of regularly updated features such as Did You Know?, Ask Sue and the Featured Posture. If you have a question you would like answered or would like to see a certain subject covered on this page please let me know.  I will endeavour to include them whenever possible.
Namaste

Did You Know?

Chakras are dense areas of energy within the body.  Each of the chakras spins in a clockwise direction and vibrates at a different frequency. Each one represents different emotions, organs, colours, senses and elements.
Practicing yoga on a regular basis helps to balance the chakras.  When our chakras are unbalanced, dirty, too large, too small or not resonating at the correct frequency illness can occur within the physical body.
 

The Seven Main Charkas

The Root Chakra (Muladhara).
This charka is located at the base of the spine. It is associated with the legs, bowel movements, security, survival and trust.  Yoga techniques that can be used to balance this charka include:  Baddha konasana (bound angle pose), Dandasana (the staff) and Moola bandha (the root lock).

The Abdominal Chakra (Swadhisthana).
This charka is located between the pelvis and the naval.  It is associated with our reproductive organs, desire, the willingness to feel our emotions and our food intake.  Any yoga posture that engages the lower abdominal muscles will stimulate and balance this chakra.

The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura).
This charka is located between the naval and the base of the sternum.  It is associated with the stomach, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, liver, perception and self confidence.  Yoga postures that can be used to balance this charka include: Santolanasana (the plank), Pashchimotanasana (seated forward bend) and Dhanurasana (the bow).

The Heart Chakra (Anahata).
This charka is located in the centre of the chest.  It is associated with the heart, lungs, any matters of the heart and also relationships.  Yoga postures that can be used to balance this charka include: Ardha matsyendrasana (half twist), Purvothanasana (the inclined plane) and Matsyanasana (the fish).

The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha).
This charka is located in the throat. It is associated with the throat, shoulders, arms, hands, thyroid and with expression and creativity.  Yoga postures that can be used to balance this charka include: Halasana (the plough)and , Sarvangasana (shoulder stand).

The Brow Chakra (Ajna).
This charka is also known as the third eye. It is located just above the centre of the eyebrows and   is associated with the head, endocrine system, extra sensory perception (ESP) and the astral world. Direction of your focus towards the third eye will help to balance and stimulate this chakra. 

The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara).
This charka is located on, and just above, the top of the head.  It is associated with the pineal gland, brain, nervous system and with pure consciousness.
The Sirsasana (headstand) posture can be used to balance and stimulate this chakra.

Featured Posture.

Majaryasana – Cat.

Cat enhances upper body and abdominal strength, improves posture and increases flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine.  This posture will also massage and tone the digestive system and stimulate all seven main charkas.

Begin on your hands and knees. Place your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Relax the tops of your feet towards the floor (A).  

As you exhale round your back up towards the ceiling and drop your chin towards your chest (B).  

As you inhale reverse the position by dropping the stomach down towards the floor and lifting the lower back, chest and head (C).

Continue breathing slowly through the nose for 10 more breath cycles whilst linking breath and movement.

Cat features in some of our Beginners Yoga Class CD’s & MP3 Downloads & Beginners Yoga Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads , Improvers Yoga Class & CD’s & MP3 Downloads & Improvers Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads and in our Yoga for the Surf Vol.2 CD & MP3 Download.