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Part of building a yoga practice is building one that fits with your body. Every body is able to explore asana—regardless of strength, size, flexibility, skill level, or injury history. Excuses, however, can stretch to the moon and back: I'm not strong enough, I can't touch my toes, I've never practiced before. But trust us when we say—with conviction—yoga is for everyone. The crucial element in one's yoga practice means honoring your body and practice. That means knowing what's best for you in the moment. Our bodies are beautiful, forever-fluctuating organisms—what feels good one day might feel great the next. And that's more than OK! If you're tuning into your movements and listening to your body, you're doing yoga. If you're unsure of what your body needs, feel free to ask your yoga teacher for help... Don't be shy. Our teachers are literally there to teach, and often that means raising your hand with a question. Until then, explore your body with some of these modifications from Briohny Smyth.
Part of building a yoga practice is building one that fits with your body. Every body is able to explore asana—regardless of strength, size, flexibility, skill level, or injury history. Excuses, however, can stretch to the moon and back: I'm not strong enough, I can't touch my toes, I've never practiced before. But trust us when we say—with conviction—yoga is for everyone. The crucial element in one's yoga practice means honoring your body and practice. That means knowing what's best for you in the moment. Our bodies are beautiful, forever-fluctuating organisms—what feels good one day might feel great the next. And that's more than OK! If you're tuning into your movements and listening to your body, you're doing yoga. If you're unsure of what your body needs, feel free to ask your yoga teacher for help... Don't be shy. Our teachers are literally there to teach, and often that means raising your hand with a question. Until then, explore your body with some of these modifications from Briohny Smyth.
Chatarunga, or Staff Pose
Chaturanga the pose we love to hate—most likely because it's a little challenging, and thus very strengthening. Chaturanga strengthens the abs, arms, wrists, and lower back, prepping the body for more challenging arm balances. That being said, it can be really hard on the wrists and surrounding tendons, especially if you're new to your practice. Traditional Pose: Begin in Plank Pose. Keeping your elbows directly over the wrists and your shoulders in line with your elbows, slowly lower to body and hover a few inches off the floor. Be careful not to let your chest drop or sag toward the floor. Draw the navel into your spine and keep the elbows pointed toward your heels. Modified: Begin in Plank Pose. Lower the knees and come onto the tops of your feet with toes pointed. While maintaining a straight line from the knees to the crown of the head, exhale and bend at the elbows, bending as far as you can while keeping the elbows pinned into your sides, the navel toward the spine, and your tailbone moving toward your heels.Garudasana, or Eagle Pose
When people think of yoga poses that twist you up like a pretzel, they're likely thinking of Eagle Pose. But Garudasana is challenging for a reason; this demanding pose improves balances, stretches the calves, and strengthens inner thighs and upper back. (Not to mention all that twisting will demand some pretty hardcore focus!) If you're not ready for the full expression, the modifications can help you to reap these myriad of benefits.Traditional Pose: Begin in Tadasana. Transfer your weight onto your left foot and lift your right foot off the floor. Cross the right thigh over the left thigh, as high up as possible. Hook the right foot around your left calf. Bring both arms out, and then cross the left arm over the right. Bend your elbows and wrap arms so that your palms meet. (Whichever leg is on top, the opposite arm should be on top.) Point your crown toward the ceiling and lift your elbows to the height of your shoulders. Hold for 5 breaths. Repeat on the other side.
Modified: Begin the same way that you would in traditional Eagle Pose, lifting the right foot and crossing it over the left thigh. Instead of wrapping the foot around the calf, lower the toes to the ground, creating another connection to the earth and a stronger sense of foundation. Cross the arms as you would in traditional Eagle and take 5 deep breaths. Repeat on the other side.