VIDEO: BACKBENDS

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Video: Backbends flow with Vrschikasana, Ganda Bherundasana, Bhujangasana and Kapotasana.

Backbends are important part of a well-rounded yoga practice and there are many benefits of practicing Backbends. One of the most notable benefits of backbends is relief from anxiety and stress.
There are different ways and levels of practicing Backbends. There are also suitable for beginners for example Bridge pose, Locust pose and Bow pose.
Deep, full Backbends can be satisfying, exhilarating, and liberating, but they don’t always come easily. If you are not moving carefully, you can end up overworking your lower back and neck and causing compression and pain.

Learning how to slow down and breathe. ?

Happy practicing!

 

 

Video: “RISE & SHINE” Class

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Rise & Shine is a slow and easy Vinyasa flow that will move you through the power of inhaling and exhaling. Smooth flowing with the synchronised breathing relaxes your mind and helps to release any blockage of energy flow throughout your body. It is the best way for awakening and opening up your body.

Get ready to start your day!

 

Video: Benefits of Hip & Core Strengthening practice.

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There are so many benefits that come from improving hip and core strength than just look good from outside, including improved posture, better balance, reduced back pain, release tension and easier breathing.

I created this practice which challenges as many muscles as possible in integrated, coordinated movements. Core moves should engage your entire body, from head to toe. Repeat the same sequence 3-5 times on each side, hold each pose longer and move it mindfully.

If you are new to Yoga and have never done much with your core and hip, don’t be surprised if you wake up the day after a workout with aches in your lower belly, as well as your lower and upper back. Those are your core muscles waving hello and thanking you for spending some time strengthening them.

You might be interested to know that Hip and Core Strengthening practice will helps to improve your inversions. ;-)

Happy practicing!

Namaste,

Carmen

Video: How practicing arm balance changed my life

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The first time I walked into a yoga class with a couple of friends in Malaysia, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and simply followed the group. I used to be very active back to school, but after I started working as a fashion designer with long hours everyday in front of the computer or the sewing machine, I didn’t do much to look after my body for over 5 years. I couldn’t even touch my toes during forward fold and had never done a proper handstand before.

So I went to my first yoga class thinking I was there for some relaxation and stretching. It turned out I was sweating in ways I never knew possible from just yoga postures. The first arm balance pose the teacher showed us was Bakasana. It looked so easy but I failed over and over again. How could she balance just on her palms, and with her knees on her triceps? Next, when she got us to do handstand. I thought that won’t be hard since I had done many cartwheels before. So, surely I could do a simple handstand! But what do handstands have to do with yoga? So I tried and kept kicking my legs up against the wall repeatedly. I couldn’t believe it when I realised that I wasn’t even able to stay in place for more than two seconds. I was exhausted. Physically and mentally. How could the lady next to me do it all so peacefully and with her eyes closed for over a minute? My arms were shaking while I was trying to catch my breath again. My face was red as a tomato.

After an hour-long yoga session the teacher called for Savasana. I asked myself what the hell that meant? So I just did what everyone else did, lay down and rested on my mat.

Unexpectedly, I felt relaxed. I felt like I didn’t just do a workout with my body, but my mind as well. I walked out of the room with a brand new body, all the clutter in my mind had disappeared! After just one class I felt like I had pressed the reset button and felt totally peaceful and calm.

Focusing on arm balance in my yoga practice has changed my perspective of life. It is so important in life to find balance, to let go, refocus, to increase your confidence and to start seeing all the possibilities that are waiting for you. But the most important thing is to have fun in life. Fun makes us happy and keeps us young. And when you’re having fun, those good vibes and positive energy will spill over into the lives of the people around us, which in turn will increase happiness and well-being for all of us. Don’t take life to seriously. Have fun and yoga on!

“Live your life and risk it all. Take some chances, take the fall. Take your time, no need to hurry. Have some fun and never worry. Stay young!”

 

Namaste,

Carmen

The Connection Between Our Mind and Body.

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I have never been to any gymnastics or dance school. I have always been very sporty though because I wanted to keep my body fit (I could easily gain weight if I didn’t move enough). Until I discovered yoga. Besides getting my workout, I started feeling a sense of calm and peace. Lots of small miracles started showing up in my daily life and I gained so much focus in everything I do.
But I truly fell in love with yoga when I saw a beautiful yogi practicing at the park one day. It looked like magic to me when she was standing on her hands in the middle of the park, moving so gracefully.

It didn’t look like sport or a show for me. I could feel the connection between my mind and my body and the trust in myself.
The human body will keep exploring new possibilities and slowly erase all limitations if you just believe and trust in yourself.
Love your life.

Live yoga.

VIDEO: SURYA NAMASKAR/ SUN SALUTATION

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Face a time crunch? Want to feel fit but don’t know how? Welcome to the world of Surya Namaskar/ Sun Salutation. I have provided a few different variations of Sun Salution in the video here. Check it out.
The best part about Sun Salutation is that it works well for those people who often not being able to do yoga and because of a time crunch. Doing at least 12 sets of Sun Salutation, preferably at sunrise, at a fast pace provide a good cardiovascular workout. If done at a slow pace, these postures help tone the muscles and can be relaxing and meditative. Moreover, it allows you to enjoy the stretch and feel the body getting flexible for prepare the body to warm up more during the intense yoga posture sequence.
Do you know that one round of Surya Namaskar burns upto 13.90 calories for an average weighing person, maybe you can now set the target for yourself. Slowly you can increase the number of rounds of surya namaskar.
Happy practicing!