Do this every morning to clear your mind and awaken your spine!
Many people aren't aware of this fact:
A large portion of society carries up to one-third of their lung capacity in stale breath. This is due to a combination of a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and insipid breathing habits.
Us yogis believe that carrying stale breath in the lungs is like carrying around the past. Stale breath trapped in the lungs contributes to low energy levels and feelings of depression and anxiety.
There is an ever growing mountain of evidence based research aligning with what we yogis have known for millennia.
Doctors and psychologists world wide are advocating more exercise and advise the use of breathing practices and meditation.
They're advising this because of the known benefits:
- increased energy levels
- a more positive mind set
- elevated levels of happiness and feelings of joy
More...
The problem is people tend to jump on this advice and go to the extreme!
If you've read the bio section of this website you'd know Jules and I believe that going to the extreme really isn't necessary and can often be detrimental!
We feel that the simple things in life are often the best and it's the same with yoga!
Old School Hatha
There are many, many, incredibly simple and highly beneficial Old School Hatha practices.
Modern yoga classes are becoming so homogenised - you rarely see any of these therapeutic techniques being taught in studios - why?
So give this ancient practice a try and find out the benefits for yourself.
The simple things in life are often the best and it's the same with yoga!
Old School Hatha Yoga techniques:
- Chopping the wood
- Ha breath
In the video tutorial above there is a combination of simple but powerful asana and pranayama techniques.
Ha breath is an ancient breathing practice (pranayama) with many benefits for the mind:
- it expels stale breath from the lungs and refills them with fresh oxygen.
- purges negative emotions, such as depression, sadness, anxiety
- improves mental clarity
- clears away lethargy
Chopping the wood is an old school dynamic asana practice. It's used as a flexibility and mobility exercise.
It will awaken and enliven your spine as well as many of the joints such as:
- pelvis,
- knees
- ankles
- toes
- shoulders.
Our Advice:
Watch the video, follow along, and learn the techniques.
There is a preliminary practice and a full practice.
Using the preliminary practice will still give you all the benefits so only move to the full practice when it's comfortable.
Practice this at your own pace for up to 3 minutes - every morning - and you'll be amazed at how good you feel!
Enjoy!
