Yoga Pose of the Week: Boat Pose

Paripurna Navasana

(par-ee-POOR-nah nah-VAHS-anna)
paripurna = full, entire, complete
nava = boat

Boat Pose

This week I decided to focus on a pose that would engage my core. A strong core is an important part of being healthy as it provides support for the back and provides better balance and stability to the body. Since Boat Pose is an ab and deep hip flexor strengthener I chose this pose. I have been working towards strengthening my core as well as working on my splits or Hanumanasana or Money Pose.

The sun was in my face, the reason for the squinty face... so I turned around, but when I did of course Shelby had to join me.

So I told her she could stay but she had to sit on the other side *grin*

Say hello to Shelby everyone.

Modifications

• Boat Pose does requires you to balance on the tripod of your tailbone and sitting bones with straightened legs. It may not be easy at first (trust me it wasn't) but keep working on it and it will get better. That is why yoga is known as a practice. 
• If it is difficult for you to straighten your legs you can bend your knees and a strap can be used. Loop the strap around the soles of the feet and grip firmly in your hands. While inhaling lean the torso back, ,while exhaling lift and straighten your legs. Pushing the feet against the strap.

Cautions

• Asthma
• Diarrhea
• Heart Problems
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Low Blood Pressure
• Menstruation
• Pregnancy
• Neck Injury

Benefits

• Helps relieve stress
• Improves digestion
• Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine
• Is good for the internal organs: kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines

Along with working on this pose this week I will also be incorporating a couple of yoga routines to deepen my core and my legs for the splits. I have added the videos below if you would like to join along. I really enjoy both of these accounts, PsycheTruth and Ekhart Yoga. They each have a great collection of yoga videos plus PsycheTruth also focuses on health. 

*Shine like Glitter*

My birthday was this weekend, so my mind was all over the place.

The pictures taken of me doing the pose were taken with my phone because I forgot my camera. Sheesh *grin*

I also have a lot going on this month, so that is added to my mind being all over the place.

However I will not let that get in the way of me posting my yoga pose of the week.

I can feel myself getting better and my body getting stronger with each pose.

Boat Pose helped my back last week. It definitely came in handy.
A thank you goes out to my wonderful photographers that take these pictures each week for me! Love you guys!