September Challenge # Day 17 Hip Openers

Thank you so much for posting more and more pictures :) Here is the pose for today- a quiet challenging one :P

Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangustasana)

In Extended Hand-to-big-toe Pose, maintaining solid grounding through the standing foot helps keep you steady.

How to do it:

• From Tadasana, bring your left knee toward your belly.
• Reach your left arm inside the thigh, cross it over the front ankle, and hold the outside of your left foot. If your hamstrings are tight, hold a strap looped around the left sole.
• Firm the front thigh muscles of the standing leg, and press the outer thigh inward.
• Inhale and extend the left leg forward. Straighten the knee as much as possible. If you’re steady, swing the leg out to the side. Breathe steadily; breathing takes concentration, but it helps you balance.
• Hold for 30 seconds, then swing the leg back to center with an inhale, and lower the foot to the floor with an exhale. Repeat on the other side for the same length of time.

September Challenge starts today!!! # Day 1 Forward Folds

Good afternoon my lovely yogis and yoginis!

I've been thinking for few days now what kind of challenge to do with you - we haven't done one for few months now..

John came up with a great idea to have a theme every week - so we are starting with FORWARD FOLDS this week, following with TWISTS, then HIP OPENERS and finishing with some BALANCING poses.

I hope you will enjoy our everyday yoga challenging poses and I cannot wait for all your pictures!!!

I have 4 prizes for you, each week one of you will win - so let's yoga!!!



# Day 1 Forward Folds - Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Take a break. Balasana is a restful pose that can be sequenced between more challenging asanas. Child's pose stretches your lower back and arms and relaxes your entire body. If you have knee problems, lower yourself into this yoga pose with extra care.

Here's what to do:

• Start in a kneeling position.

• Drop your butt toward your heels as you stretch the rest of your body down and forward.

• In the fully stretched position, rest your arms in a relaxed position along the floor, rest your stomach comfortably on top of your thighs, and rest your forehead on the mat.

You should feel a mild stretch in your shoulders and buttocks and down the length of your spine and arms. Ease into this stretch by keeping your shoulders and neck relaxed. Don’t force your derriere to move any closer to your heels than is comfortable.