Yoga For Absolute Beginners

Yoga breath is discussed as well as proper breathing patterns. The yoga breath or 'ujjayi' is explained throughly and practiced in a simple practice that can be done standing or seated.

Childs pose is a restful pose where the back is stretched and extended but when we're stiff it can be hard to rest in. This lesson gives us lots of options to use padding to help get the most out of this wonderful calming and restorative posture.

Yoga can demand a lot on the wrist with weight bearing poses. We also over use the small ligaments in the wrists through our personal devices and our wrists and hands become stiff and painful. These four stretches will open and bring back flexibility and strength to the hands and wrists and bring back strength and stability.

Mountain pose or Tadasana is the building block for good posture, healthy alignment and the building block for all standing poses in Yoga. Here the different types of body are discussed to help you identify how you're coming into your yoga practice. Mountain pose is worked from the ground up.

How to get into downward facing dog. The most common issues and obstacles to getting into this posture. Lots of information on what has to lengthen and where the weight of the posture should be. We'll look at the shape of the downward dog, what it should look and what it should not look like and how to achieve it.

We learn all the different components of a beginner sun salute. Each pose is broken down and explained.

One full beginner sun salute is performed here without stopping but with full instruction. Practice this at any time of day.

Triangle pose is a standing posture that's one of the most popular postures in all asana traditions. It stretches the back and creates space in all parts of the body. Here we practice 2 versions, the first version we use a chair to place our hand for more stability and ease. The second side we go deeper and place the hand closer to the floor on a block.

Warrior 2 is a strong standing posture that builds strength in the legs and hips as well as flexibility in the hips and shoulders. It prepares us for other standing postures and builds stamina and grace. Like the peaceful warrior we begin to see all discomfort begins and ends with us!

Extended side angle posture is a standing posture and one of the most vigorous ones that further strengthens the whole body and creates length in the sides of the body and opens up the shoulder girdle. The first modified example can be done without props. The second variation goes deeper and the hand goes on a block on the floor for a deep release and more resistance work in the legs.

Learn how to transition from downward facing dog into the standing crescent pose. This helps build strength and mobility and increases our flexibility. This action begins to set us up for moving forward towards a vinyasa flow practice. An explanation on why its important to be able to pick ourselves up in this way. The principle of using the earth to get light is explored.

Locust pose is a simple back bend thats done lying on the floor. It can strengthen all the muscles on the back and is especially helpful for getting to the smaller muscles between the spine. Two arm variations are explained and demonstrated.

Bridge pose is a back extension that strengthens the entire back body and uses the entire back of the leg. Our lives are spent in hunched over positions that weaken the back body and can bring on pain in the back and neck. Bridge pose will strengthen all the areas that are weak and bring support to the back body.

This seated forward fold is done on an angle so that it opens the lower back slowly as well as stretching the back body, hamstrings and hips.

Seated spinal twist keeps our spine rejuvenated and healthy. This pose is shown from the ground up, how to get a healthy twist slowly and with care.

The modified version and the full of the pose is explained and demonstrated.

Baddha Konasana or bound angle pose stretches the inner legs and hips. The prep pose of staying seated is shown as well as the forward folded version.

We start with Dandasana which is staff pose. Staff pose stretches the backs of the legs and makes us use the spine and back muscles to sit upright. Once we have mastered this seated pose we move to the seated forward fold over the legs. We look at how to fold at the correct place in the body and safely open the hamstrings and lengthen the entire spine and low back.

Savasana is the final rest that comes at the end of every yoga practice. Its a purposeful place to rest without falling asleep, the beginning of cultivating a meditation practice. We learn how to place the body in a comfortable and purposeful place so we can stay open and still and to calm the nervous system. We rest quietly here.

An non-intimidating introduction to meditation. An explanation of what it is and what it is not. A 5 minute meditation is given at the end.

Join Claire for this 50 minute beginner flow practice. Make sure you have reviewed and practice the individual poses first. This beginner flow class can be done at any time of the day and is a full body workout. It will create flexibility and strength and will bring peace and calm to the mind.