YP of the Week: Half Frog Pose

This week I have chosen another pose that helps with back ache.

Ardha Bhekasana
Half Frog Pose

Cautions

• Low back, shoulder, neck issues
• Insomnia
• Migraine
• High or low blood pressure

Benefits

• Improves posture
• Stretches the entire front of the body
• Stretches the throat and deep hip flexors
• Works to strengthen the back muscles

The Bharadvaja's Twist last week left me feeling better. But I was still struggling with some back ache. This week I am going to work on stretching and strengthening my abdomen, my core. Along with using this pose that will also work in stretching my back.

Savasana or Corpse Pose is one of my favorite poses because not only does it allow me to meditate after my workout but it feels great on my back. I release all my ache into the earth, leave it behind, and wake anew. This is the pose Taylor used to finish our yoga class each week. It's a good way to leave your troubles behind.

*Shine like Glitter*

This week I was pretty busy.

I spent a lot of time with friends after work.

I did not practice as much Yoga as I wanted.

But I did fit in a work out routine every morning before work.

I did practice my Bharadvaja's Twist.

It felt great.
I am a little off position on this position, but that is something I can work toward this week.

Happy Sunday.

Namaste.

YP of the Week : Bharadvaja's Twist

Let me start out with my weekend.

Friday my roommate and I saw Jurassic World. Wow what a great movie, loved it. Plus Chris Pratt isn't so bad to look at... what am I saying he's sexy. I think he did a good job, definitely during the chasing dinosaurs on a motorcycle scenes and being the alpha Raptor. I mean Hello. 

Saturday we finally had a nice day in Ohio; sun was shining, blue skies all around, lake calling my name. We headed out for the lake in the afternoon. Had lunch on the dock, fish tacos for me a googy messy pulled pork sandwich for him. During lunch he came up with the idea to rent kayaks and of course there was no objection for me. We finished lunch, which was very good. We went down to rent our kayaks. Finally on our way we headed under a bridge. It was nice because we were the only ones out there; unlike the busy main lake.

Not the greatest picture, sorry, but they all were starting to swim away by the time I got my camera ready.

We kayaked for about an hour, encountering obstacles in the water and a few ducks. Then we headed up to the dock to have a couple drinks before heading out to the beach.

A short drive there we found ourselves set in the grass. The water was pretty cold. I only I got in up to my knees. When I turned around to leave my roommate splashed me. It was cold. A nap in the sun would dry me right off. We headed home around 7pm but not without getting ice cream first. A key lime pie waffle cone for me and a peanut butter shake for him.

Yoga Pose

Bharadvaja's Twist
"(bah-ROD-va-JAHS-anna), Bharadvaja = one of seven legendary seers, credited with composing the hymns collected in the Vedas"

I have been having some lower back and shoulder pain lately. When I have a specific issue I either find myself on yoga journal or asking Taylor for advice on a pose for my specific problem. This week I found myself looking at this pose on yoga journal.

Cautions

• Headache
• High or Low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Menstruation

Benefits

• Stretches the spine, shoulders, and hips
• Relieves lower backache, sciatica, and neck pain
• Improves digestion by massaging the abdominal muscles
• Stress reliever
• Therapeutic for carpal tunnel
•  Good for strengthening the lower back during second trimester

I also suffer from sciatic pain now and then, this pose will help relieve this pain. In the next few weeks you will see more poses to assist with backache.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, I sure did. However, it went by too fast.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

Today it's raining again.

But there's thunder and lightening.

A thunderstorm.

I am fascinated with thunderstorms so when we get them I try to enjoy them.

Nature sure is wonderful.

I got to experience a lot of it this weekend.

I was very pleased.

Remember: Yoga is not about self-improvement, it's about self-acceptance.

Namaste.

Yoga Pose of the Week: Camel Pose

Alright folks... I'm back.

Now that I have my internet up and running I can finally share, again, with you my yoga pose of the week. This week I am going to be trying out Camel Pose.

Camel Pose
Ustrasana
(oosh-TRAHA-anna)
ustra=camel

This pose can be strenuous on the neck, if you have issues with your neck and if you have tight shoulders. Be cautious of your issues when doing this pose or any pose. If you still would like to try this pose even if you have one or more of these issues a wall can be used to help you along. Soles of the feet should be pressed up against the wall with the toes tucked under. On an exhale lean back and press the crown of your head into the wall, lift your shoulder blades. Hands can be placed on your pelvis or palms against the wall.

I'm sorry my yoga space is so bland. I do not have a permanent place yet to do my yoga. Once I start getting things settled in here I am going to work on permanent spot to do my yoga.

Therapeutic Applications

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Menstrual Discomfort
• Mild Backache
• Respiratory Ailments

Benefits

• Stretches the entire front of the body
• Stretches the deep hip flexors
• Strengthens back muscles
• Improves posture
• Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck

I suffer from some pretty intense back pain. On most days I sleep with a heating pad. This pose engages both the abdomen, which supports the back, and the back muscles. It will also help improve your posture. I try to practice good posture on a daily basis but of course who can resist slouching on occasion.

The first video is how to get into yoga pose. The one directly above ^ is a short yoga sequence into camel pose. I like to incorporate my poses into sequences and thought you may be interested in it as well. Enjoy.

Beginners

If you are a beginner touching your feet in this pose may be hard to do. There are several objects you can use to help you along in this pose. First is try tucking your toes under, if you are still unable to reach your toes two yoga blocks can be used by resting each hand on a block. Blocks should be placed on the outside of each heel at their highest height. Third a chair can be used, legs and feet under the chair bottom with the seat front touching your butt, palms placed on the seat top.

If you continue to struggle with this pose I am including an article on how to master this pose, from Yoga Journal. Find it here.

I get most of my information on poses from Yoga Journal but I also use a few other sources. I love gaining new information on poses and yoga in general. Knowledge is your best weapon. I suggest checking out Yoga Journal if you are interested in learning more about yoga. They have plenty of information for your heart's desire.

xo glitterites

*Shine like Glitter*

I want to stay thank you for sticking around.

I know it's been a few weeks since my last yoga post.

I truly apologize for that. This is something I have wanted to stick with, but sometimes life gets in the way.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

It's raining here. The sun did decide to grace us with it's presence yesterday, but has sadly gone back behind the rain clouds again. *sigh*

Namaste.

Yellow Springs

In my previous post I told you that I was visiting with my aunt. She and my uncle live in south west Ohio. I traveled down there Monday morning. On Monday we just chilled, caught up, and read. Tuesday morning my aunt and I ventured out into the very gloomy, overcast day; which was a dramatic change to the sunshine we were experiencing Monday afternoon.

We had to make a few stops before we headed to Yellow Springs. Now my aunt, uncle, and various friends of theirs told me that Yellow Springs was a unique sort of place where it's residents were stuck in the 60's. They told me that I'd have fun there. I was very much looking forward to visiting. Well when we drove up I knew that I would enjoy my time in Yellow Springs. I could tell it was a very unique town with a lot of heart. My aunt drove us around through the streets. Each building with it's own unique character.

After parking the car I noticed a little shop in the back of all these other buildings. House of Aum. Yoga and gifts. They had very interesting gifts and racks of used clothing. I don't know what it is about vintage used clothing, but I love them. I left the shop empty handed. We walked on to a few other shops along this path known as Kings Path. One of these shops had a wall full of windows. They displayed their gems in vintage glass bowls. There were vintage guitars and speaker parts, gem earrings and jewelry. It was a wonderful store. I found a beautiful amethyst sun catcher but decided I'd be back for it.

We looked around a few more stores on the main street. After visiting these shops and seeming some of the what I assumed were locals walking around I realized that we were in a hippie town. The people living down here were stuck in the 60's, the hippie 60's. I fell in love. This town was unique in it's own nature. A town I would not mind living in.

It was time for lunch. I was really craving a salad for lunch. We went into this little cafe/market to see what they had to offer. Sadly no salads. We moved on to another restaurant, Williams Eatery. They did have salads, delicious sounding salads. Even better looking when it arrived.

I mean look at that thing. That is delicious lump crab meat on top of lettuce, tomato, mango, red onion, and sunflower seeds all with a tropical rum dressing. I ate that whole thing and the bread; it was so good. Some of the best salad dressing I've ever had. 

After lunch we walked around some more side streets. We stopped into a small natural grocery store, where I hoped to find some Fair Trade coconut oil. With no luck I did come home with some rosemary oil, bee's wax bar, and a few other things. 

I remembered seeing a bookshop I wanted to stop into. Yes a bookshop. I have more than enough books already in my to read pile, adding more books to this pile is just crazy. But for some reason I cannot help myself. I find an interesting book, for cheap, and buy it. I walked out with two books. *grin*

This is only some of the inside of this shop. I walked in and you know when your mouth just says things out loud? Well this was one of those times. My mouth opened and the words "this is a lot of books" just slipped on out. Like word vomit. If you've seen Mean Girls you'll get that. I was in book heaven. I searched through books, all sorts of books. 

After we left the bookshop I went back to get my amethyst sun catcher. I still couldn't get over how beautiful this shop was. Then it was time to head home. Well with another stop before that. A stop to get ice cream, peaches and cream for me and lemon curd for my aunt. We decided to sit and enjoy our cones. As we were getting ready to leave it started pouring. *ugh* And of course I left my umbrella in the car. I carried it around all day and no rain. I leave it in the car and it pours. Fortunately I had a scarf tied around my purse and used that to cover my hair.

A wonderful day spent with my aunt. We headed back home to read more and take naps before dinner. *grin* Dinner at O'Conner's with my cousin and his family. After dinner I went home with my cousin to spend a little time with them. I had fun. It was good catching up with them.

xo glitterites

*Shine like Glitter*

I finally have internet.

Hallelujah.

I had a wonderful visit with my family.

If you would like to know more about Yellow Springs you can find information here.

Update

No I am not dead. No I have not run away and left my blog behind. However I am without internet at my house. I am going crazy. There are yoga poses I'd love to share with you, but until I get my internet situation figured out I am left leaving you wondering what in the world has happened to Carmen San Diego me.

Today I am coming to you from my aunt's house. I am spending a few days here catching up and visiting with her and my uncle. They, like most people today, have internet. Tomorrow we are heading out to tour a little town near by. Hopefully I'll be able to share my visit with you soon.

Thanks for sticking with me.

xo

Stay golden glitterites.
I'll be back soon.
I hope.