Fitness
5 Yoga Poses That Power My Practice
Share
In my twenties living in LA, I had the best selection of yoga classes to choose from. Then I found Mary Beth LaRue’s class: a mix of softness, creative flow, and sweat combined with amazing music and her majorly meditative voice. Everything changed.
I remember when I would attend her classes in Venice Beach. I would try to keep my zen as beads of sweat started rolling out of every single pore on my body. I could feel the frown on my face saying, how long are you going to have us hold this boat pose? She would then call me out and remind the class to release the furrowed brow and breathe, breathe again because everything is a choice.
At around forty minutes into class, I finally found that I could breathe deeper, feel deeper and my sweat started to become a nod to the work I was doing—both physically and mentally. When you soften into your body, listen to your breath and feel the bliss in puppy dog pose (my favorite), that’s the mental sweat of yoga.
I connected with my now best friend Mary Beth, renown yoga teacher, Yoga Journal cover model, and my Rock Your Bliss business partner, to explore the five yoga poses that help me get my sweat on and elevate my practice, in both the physical and mental space. Grab a mat, get ready to flow and enjoy!
Warrior III
Hold on both sides for one minute each. If you can, extend your arms forward while flexing your lifted foot. Engage your core and breathe deeply. See if you can stay in this pose and in a compassionate headspace, even when challenged.
Forearm Plank
Hold for one minute and see if you can work up to two. If you’d like to engage your transverse abdominus more, tilt your hips an inch to the right then to the left, continuing for thirty seconds. Remember deep, deep breaths.
Boat Pose
Balance in your sit bones as you hold here. You can keep knees bent and lift your chest high. Option to work toward straight legs. Hold for one minute.
Dolphin Pose
Come into Downward-facing dog on your forearms. Spin your biceps forward and triceps back. If it feels okay in your neck, look forward toward your fingertips. Hold for one minute, then take child’s pose. Repeat once more.
Puppy Dog Pose
As you come into downward-facing dog, bend your elbows with your forearms above the floor. Take five deep breaths. Rest and repeat twice more.
No matter where your skill level is at, the poses you practice can only better your well-being. Here’s to finding your flow (and a little sweat). Namaste!
