I found a Home....

Thank you for checking out my blog!
However, I have a new, permanent home at www.yogauntwisted.com
Please check it out for the latest blogs.
Thank you!!!

Get Engaged!

It doesn't matter if you are single or married... Get engaged!

Engage the body! You can do it in bed, in the car, while watching TV, and especially while you are practicing Yoga.

The easiest way to explain this is to imagine yourself in the skimpiest two-piece bathingsuit (or for the guys, a banana hammock) surrounded by some of the most attractive people that you have ever seen. What do we do first? Stand up straight? Suck in the gut? Flex the muscles? When we do these things we are very aware of the body and the muscles... We are Engaged.

Try holding the abdominal muscle in tight for 30 seconds (suck it in!!! but remember to breathe)... is it feeling warm and fuzzy? Now do the same with the Glutes aka butt cheeks. Squeeze tight. :)

When the muscles are engaged they are also protecting and supporting the joints. For those of us with lower back issues this is vital. We'll go into more detail about the lower back in the next blog...

So stay tuned and STAY ENGAGED.

Namaste'

Carrisa

How's Your Breath?

Don't worry, I'm not hinting that you should grab a mint or anything...

But How IS your breath? Are you slouched over the computer reading this? Taking shallow breaths that are barely enough to reach the lungs, but just enough to keep us alive? Yah, most of us breath that way throughout the day. In fact, I'm guilty of it right now too.

We know how important the breath is, but since it is one of the automatic functions of the body, we don't pay a whole lot of attention to our breath. Unless of course, something or someone makes us mad. When this happens the first thing we are told to do is 'take a deep breath and count to ten'. Why do we have to wait for someone to make us mad to utilize the power of our breath? We naturally feel better when we are breathing deep. We don't always need a quiet room for meditation or class full of fellow Yogis to enjoy our breath.

Do it. Right now. Take a deep breath. And another. Maybe close the eyes for the next deep breath. aaaahhhhh.... now how do you feel?

Thought so.

Take time throughout the day to just breath....

oh, and after the coffee, you just may want to grab a mint ;)

Namaste'

Carrisa

Why Yoga Untwisted....

When we hear the word 'Yoga' for many of us the vision of a warm, salty pretzel pops into our head. Yet, there is soo much more to Yoga, and you do not need to be able to fold up like a pretzel to do it! :)

My intent for starting this blog is to highlight postures (asanas) and the thoughts that are a part of my Yoga experiences. I am truly passionate about sharing Yoga with others, which is why I started my journey as a Yoga Instructor about six years ago. I love what I do!! And hope that I can continue to help others through my blog.

If you have looked at the picture, you are probably wondering 'why is she folded up like a pretzel then?' It's simple. Every individual's Yoga practice is going to be different. You don't have to be able to sit in Lotus Pose to do Yoga. The Untwisted is both physical and mental...

Thank you for joining me on this journey....

Namaste'

Carrisa