ANDREA - a full time Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi instructor.

I fell in love with yoga over seven years ago, when I got a Nintendo DS and bought a game called Let's Yoga. From then, I began 'playing' yoga everyday, sometimes twice a day. At first, the practice was more physical for me, but after few months I started to really count on yoga to bring me a sense of calm during especially chaotic days. Soon after, I began recognizing the benefits of a regular asana and meditation practice and continued to incorporate yoga daily - not just during times of chaos. I found myself feeling more energized, more compassionate, happier, and with more awareness. Now, I teach full-time and couldn't be happier to do what I love. What began as a physical practice for strength and flexibility quickly became a lifestyle. I teach my students to take their yoga off the mat and apply the principles learned in the class to their lives outside of the studio. I do not only teach my philosophy, I live it.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Open Angle Seated Forward Bend (Var.)

Open Angle Seated Forward Bend (Var.) / Upavistha Konasana

(oo-pah-VEESH-tah cone-AHS-anna)
upvistha = seated, sitting
kona= angle

1. Start in a seated position with your legs out in front of you. Exhale and open your legs to the sides at approximately 80% of your capacity.

2. Place your hands on the ground in front of you and slowly tip from the hips walking your hands out gradually. As you exhale, walk your hands down further each time so that eventually your chest can rest on the floor comfortably with your arms extended out in front of you. Be sure to rotate from the hips and keep your neck and back long. Do not round through the back to try to reach your head down.

3. Reach your arm behind your back and clasp your hands together. Exhale and reach your arms up eventually working them towards the sky.

4. Look up and rest your chin on the floor. Maintain the pose for up to one minute and repeat if you like going deeper into the pose each time.


Benefits
-Stretches the quadriceps, groin and hamstrings
-Strengthens and stretches your lumbar spine
-Intensely stretches the chest and shoulders
-Stimulates abdominal organs

Cautions
-Back injury
-Groin injury
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