Yoga Before A Summer Storm - A Glimpse Into South Africa

Empowing yoga poses for strength, (plus storm and cat outtake footage)

Looking out the window at the brewing storm,you can't help but feel the strength of nature, and feel the primal urge to take part in some way.

Thus, I decided to embrace the power,and venture out doors for a few strengthening yoga poses.
As a person who suffers from depression and anxiety, yoga helps a lot. This week has been one of the worst so far, so I benefitted from the feeling of strength. Hopefully you will be able feel the empowerment too.

Here is a short, empowering, sequence to try.

• Overcoming negative emotions- the first step is to learn how to feel your own strength. So starting off in Mountain Pose
  (Tadasana) ,with your feet spread hip distance apart, arms up and palms together, stand strong; and engage all the muscles. The point of this sequence is to feel your inner strength. Keep all of the muscles tight and focus on overpowering all negative emotions. Believe in your strength. Feel a warmth in the pit of your stomach, imagine this is your power. Imagine it glowing and growing.

• Turn both feet to face forward,(as much as you can) and turn your hips to face forward too. From here you are going to inhale and slightly bend back, arms raised, shoulder blades drawn together and muscles tight.

• From here, exhale and fold forward over the front leg. Bending from the hips not the waist. This is Pyramid Pose( Parsvottanasana).
  Draw the head towards the knee, and keeping the upper thigh muscles engaged will loosen the hamstrings.
  Keep visualising the glowing ball at the core of your being. Continue to visualise it growing.
  Hold for 10 breaths.

• Dropping the hands to the ground, (bending your knees if you have to). The front foot stays between the hands and, as you inhale, the back foot moves back(if that makes any sense)Into a low lunge position. Bend the front knee to a 90° angle, and make sure the knee is not passing the toes. Slowly raise the arms and slightly arch the back. Look up. The back leg is not on the ground. This is High/Crescent Lunge (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana)
  Hold for 10 breaths.

*Drop the back heal, and turn the hips to face the middle of your mat. Exhale, bring the body forward and up. Your feet are turned put to the sides as much as possible, and your arms are extended. Sink down and engage the whole body. Feel the bright light and warmth within you consume your entire body. Feel your strength.
This is Goddess Pose(Utkata Konasana)
Feel the empowerment. Hold the pose for 10 breaths, and remember, no matter how much of a storm you are in, you can stand strong and not be swept away.

• When you are ready,come back to Mountain Pose and repeat on the other side.

I hope that this sequence can bring a feeling strength to you, and have a lovely weekend.
If you still don't feel good, laugh by taking a look at this video of how my cat tries to do yoga with me(he only knows Downward Facing Dog[cat] and yoga is not easy in the wind!)
-note, the sequencing in the video is not correct, It was just for the taking of the pictures.

Also In the video, a look at the brewing storm! I managed to get my mat in before the first fat drops of rain began to fall.

Happy yoga-ing everyone!
Comment and follow me @yogidream.scapes

Namaste