Yoga Pose of the Week: Supported Shoulder Stand

Salamba Sarvangasana

(sah-LOM-bah sar-van-GAHS-anna)
salamba = with support (sa = with, alamba = support)
sarva = all
anga = limb

Salamba Sarvangasana

This is an inversion for balance. I really enjoy doing this pose. Most of the time I will do this pose and then go into plow (Halasana). I have been putting a lot of strain on my back lately, so these two poses have been helping to stretch it out.

Cautions

• Diarrhea
• Heachache
• High blood pressure
• Menstruation
• Neck injury
• Pregnancy: just like Halasana, this is an experienced pose, it can be continued into late pregnancy. Do not take up Sarvangasana after you become pregnant.
• Do not practice this pose without prior experience or you have the supervision of a teacher. 

Benefits

• Calms the brain
• Helps relieve stress and mild depression
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
• Improves digestion
• Reduces fatigue and alleviates insomnia
• Stretches the shoulders and neck
• Tones the legs and butt
• Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, and sinusitis
• good since it's allergy season 

*Shine like Glitter*

Remember when doing this pose to keep your back straight.

Just like Halasana if you feel wobbly or your legs start to tingle place the knees on your forehead.

Walking upward all day puts a lot of strain on the body, doing inversions regularly will help ease the tension.

Halasana is such a good way to stretch your back. I love it. And I enjoyed working on it last week.

Sarvangasana helps with that also. Just always be cautious of practicing yoga. Never push your limits and get the approval of an experienced instructor before practicing advanced yoga poses.

Look out for another back stretch next week. *grin*

Yoga Pose of the Week: Plow Pose

Halasana

(hah-LAHS-anna)
hala = plow

Plow Pose

This week I decided to do a pose that I really enjoy because it helps stretch my lower back. I suffer from lower backaches quite frequently. Since Plow Pose is good for backache and can help you sleep at night I picked it. This pose is also good for increasing your overall flexibility. 

Since this pose does put a lot of strain on the spine when I do Plow pose I squeeze my shoulder blades together. This helps me lift up onto the tops of the shoulders and for me relieves the pressure and strain on my neck and spine.

Modifications

This pose does require the feet to be placed on the floor behind your head. However if you are unable to do this be sure to support your back with your hands. This will avoid you from straining your back muscles. 

• elbows bent with palms placed on your lower back facing inward

If your legs start to tense up during the pose, bend your knees and place them on your forehead. Remember to support your back with your hands.

Cautions

• Neck Injury
• Menstruation
• Asthma and High blood pressure: this pose can then be done with the legs supported on props
• Pregnancy: if you are already experienced with this pose it is okay to continue, but it is not recommended you being this pose after you become pregnant.
• This pose is considered to be an intermediate to advanced when the feet are placed on the floor. It is advised against to perform this pose without prior experience or you have supervision from an experienced instructor.
• I have been practicing this pose for over a year and often work on it in my yoga class.
• Diarrhea

Benefits

• Calms the brain
• Helps relieve symptoms of menopause
• Reduces stress and fatigue
• Stretches the shoulders and spine
• Therapeutic for backache, headache, infertility, insomnia, sinusitis
• Stimulates the abdominal organs and the thyroid gland

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

I loved working on my core last week.

I can start to feel it getting stronger.

This past week I have put a lot of strain on my lower back; this is the reason I decided to do plow pose this week.

I'm looking forward to working on this pose this week.

I am going to continue to work on my core as well as my splits.

Thank you for continuing to follow me along on this journey my glitterites.

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!

Strawberry Picking

in Florida, in February... Yes!

Friday afternoon mom and I went strawberry picking at Oak Haven Farms and Winery. It was a chilly afternoon but we headed out into the field to pick berries anyways. We were given our rows and boxes. Then we got to it.

We raced to pick the biggest berries, we laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a lovely day together. It is sort of a tradition so of course there is no one I would rather have been there with.

Just look at all those rows of strawberries and there is another side.

I mean just look at those delicious little red berries. This was before the 12lbs of strawberries we took home, which we turned into pies and jam and just for snacking on.

Heart strawberries

Pictures from my snapchat *cheese* They also have wine tastings and wine for sale at the farm, that they make. Wine tastings are four samples for a dollar and if you buy a bottle of wine you get your dollar back. Mom and I tried a few of the wines including the Mead which is made from honey and I freaking love honey so of course I had to try this, Blueberry made from local blueberries, Noble, and the Strawberry which is made from strawberries from their farm. I liked all of the wines we tried, but I love wine. And this has only come about in the past couple of years. I like to thank my wine class at university for my new found love of wine *grin* We didn't try all of the wines they had to offer just the ones that we thought we would like. I believe they have 7 different types of wines available.

We each took a bottle of the Strawberry Wine home and used some of the strawberries that didn't go into the pies or jam to put into our glasses of wine and then ate the wine soaked strawberries. *grin* 

If you get a chance to go to Oak Haven Farms and Winery. I definitely recommend it. Then you can make your own jam and pies and try some of their delicious wine. You can find their information here

Finished freezer jam! *yum*

xo glitterites 

*Shine like Glitter*

Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the pies. I left them at my parents. I will try to get one and update.

I love spending time with my mom. We always have a good time with a lot of laughs.

We were both ready for a nap by the end of our day out but went home and made pies.

Then we ordered pizza and ate strawberry pie.

Great day!

What did you do this weekend?

Yoga Pose of the Week: Bow Pose

Dhanurasana

(don-your-AHS-anna)
dhanu=bow

Bow Pose

back bend and chest opener

This pose looks like an archer's bow, the torso and legs being the body of the bow and the arms representing the string.

Cautions

• High or low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Migraine
• Serious lower-back or neck injury

Therapeutic Applications

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Menstrual discomfort
• Mild backache
• Respiratory ailments

Benefits

• Improves posture
• Stretches entire front of the body - ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat and deep hip flexors
• Strengthens the back muscles
• Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck

There are some modifications that can be made to this pose. If you are unable to hold your ankles a towel can be wrapped around the fronts of the ankles and hold on to the ends of the towel, keeping the arms fully extended.

*Shine like Glitter*
This was sort of a difficult week for me as I was dealing with a few things going on in my life.
However I turned to yoga to help clear my mind, to help me relax.
Life is not always easy. Life throws us curve balls (as I am sure we all know.) But in times of difficulty I turn to Jesus and prayer. And of course practice my yoga.
I know God has a plan for me, but I realize that I need to be in assistance to that plan. I can't just sit around and wait for it to fall into my lap because that is not how the world works, that is not how God works.
Things will get better.
Legs-up-the-wall last week helped with my inversions. It definitely took some getting used to but it was useful. 

Yoga Pose of the Week: Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose

Viparita Karani Pose

(vip-par-ee-tah-car-AHN-ee)
viparita = turned around, inverted, reversed
karani = doing, action, making

I figured most people are unable to pronounce the true names of yoga poses, (I know I struggle with them) so I decided to start including the pronunciation of each word and what each word means. Sanskirt is the language used in yoga, it is an Indo-Aryan language used in Buddhism and Jainism. Since many of us who practice yoga today do not speak Sanskirt yoga poses are given an English name as well.

Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose 

A mild and restorative posture that is consider an inversion.

For this pose you will need one or two thickly folded blankets or a bolster to support your back. If you are unsure of what a bolster is I have added a picture below. Your legs will need to be rested vertically on a wall.

Bolster

First let's talk about support. You need to determine two things before moving into this pose: height and distance from the wall. If you are stiffer you will want to place your height lower and your distance farther from the wall. If you are more flexible you will want use a higher support that is closer to the wall. Your height will also help determine your distance from the wall. If you are shorter move closer to the wall and if you are taller move farther from the wall. Experiment with your placement from the wall to enable comfort before moving into this pose. Some discomfort is okay, but you should never feel pain when doing yoga.

There are step-by-step instructions on how to get into this pose on yoga journal, but I am more of a visual person. However I always read through the steps first then find a video on YouTube.

Of course my doggy wanted to be in the pictures and help me with the pose *grin* Everyone say hello to Jasper.

Cautions

As with any pose you should be aware of the cautions that come a long with it, this will help you avoid serious injury. Since this pose is considered an inversion it is recommended that you check with your teacher before attempting this pose if you have any of the following conditions:

• Menstruation
• High Blood Pressure
• Glaucoma
• Pregnant
• Serious Back or Neck Issues

Although it is recommended to avoid this pose during menstruation, others say it is okay even during menstruation... Once again check with your teacher. 

Therapeutic Applications

According to Yoga Journal Viparita Karani is good for most everything that ails you, this includes:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Digestive problems
• Headache
• High and low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Menopause
• Menstrual cramps
• Migraine
• Mild depression
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Respiratory ailments
• Urinary disorders
• Varicose veins

Benefits

• Calms the mind
• Gently stretches the back legs, front torso, and the back of the neck
• Relieves tired or cramped legs and feet
• Relieves mild backache

Here is a video of Viparita Karani. Once again Ester does a great job of explaining this pose. I really enjoy her videos, so you will probably see a video of hers for every pose. *grin* Stay in this pose for 5-15 minutes. If your feet start to tingle during the pose, bend your knees, touch the soles of your feet together, and slide the outer edges of your feet down the wall, bringing your heels close to your pelvis.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

It is a chilly day here in Florida.

I did this pose inside since a wall is needed. But up until I did this pose I had my Ugg boots on because my feet were soooo cold and I couldn't get them warm. *wink* My feet were so warm inside my boots I did not want to take them off, but I did for the purpose of these photos.

As soon as they were taken I put my boots right back on.

Locust Pose went well last week. I have been doing a routine where I incorporate all of the poses I have posted thus far.
As always let me know how you are doing with your poses.
Use the hashtag #glittervoga or #VGyoga

Old Fashioned

Love is patient… love is kind… love is Old Fashioned

I recently saw this movie in theaters with my mom. I love all things “old fashioned”; movies, clothes, furniture, music, love and even my cocktails. So when my mom mentioned this movie of course we had to go see it. This is a love story, the kind of love that God intended for us to have set in contemporary America. It was a wonderful movie, filmed in Ohio in a little antique shop with the cutest apartment above it. The kind of apartment I would love to live in. Make sure you bring tissues with you because I guarantee if you are a sap like me you will be blubbering through this entire movie. This movie shows the audience what a true God-honoring relationship should be like; where chivalry isn't dead.

Here is the movie trailer for Old Fashioned. I definitely encourage you to see this movie.

My Thoughts on Relationships

Before I get into this I want to make a disclaimer that you do not have to agree with what I am saying these are just my thoughts. If you do not wish to read them then I suggest you close out of this page now. If you'd like to read what I have to say then by all means continue reading.

In this day and age it seems like all signs of chivalry are dead. There are the still a few people out there who do chivalrous deeds but most people don't. I understand that women want be treated as equals and I definitely find myself telling guys that I can do something instead of allowing them to help. However there is a time and a place for women to be created as equals and a time and a place to allow men to court us. Let them carry that heavy box for you. I was watching an episode of Mad Men one night, as I watched it came to a scene in a restaurant where the men and women were seated around the table. The men would be talking business and the women would be gossiping. The thing that struck me was that when the ladies left or came back to the table the men, mostly Donald Draper would stand until the ladies were seated and then he would sit back down. I found myself tweeting about this incident asking what happened to the good ol' days when a gentleman, even the grimy ones (referring to Donald Draper), stood up when a woman left or arrived at table? Now a days we are lucky if we can find a guy who will hold the door open for us. 

Love should be old fashioned. We should take time to get to know the person we are committing our lives to, the good and the bad. In the movie Old Fashioned Clay is a reformed frat boy now with a devout belief in God and with outdated theories on love. Amber is a free-spirited young woman. These two come together through getting to know one another... their hopes, dreams, fears, beliefs, etc. Clay has a muddy past that Amber's friends try to use against him to make her see that he may not be all as he seems. But she doesn't care, she wants to take him for his good and his bad (which is in his past). Today I think one of the reason there is a high chance of divorce is because we do not take the time to get to know the other person. It is rushed. Love should not be rushed.

In Old Fashioned, Clay asks, what I think to be an important question: "When did treating women with respect become the joke?" Agreed. Ladies if your man is not treating you with respect he does not deserve you. Being treated with respect is not a joke and should never be thought of as a joke. If you are not getting respect, how are you ever going to be taken seriously? I am thankful for all of the relationships I've had. Do I wish I could go back and change some things? You betcha. However every relationship I've had has taught me something. Most of all they have showed me what I do not want in a relationship and between them and this movie they have opened my eyes to what I do want. My relationship with God has also led me to know what I want. One of the most important things a relationship could have is having someone who shares your same beliefs, someone who you can share your faith with (whatever that may be). This is the biggest thing that gets me. Most men do not treat women with respect and it is not all their fault. Women are not asking for that respect. They are allowing men to disrespect them. If a man does not take the time to get to know me or take interest in my life you he is not worth my time. 

Cherish the relationships you are in and the relationships you have. If you aren't happy, if you aren't getting the respect you deserve, and/or you the person you are with doesn't share your same beliefs maybe it's time to rethink that relationship. No one should make you feel less than you are. Don't be afraid of being single. It can be good for you. It can help you grown. Find your own way, make your own happiness. Figure out what you want in a relationship. And when it is time the right guy will come along.

Before we can love another, we must first learn to love ourselves. 

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

That is it for my ramblings. If you have stuck with me until the end I appreciate it.

If you agree with what I have to say or do not agree I'd love to know about it.

If you have seen this movie I would like to know your thoughts on it.

Let me know in the comments.

I believe love should be old fashioned. It doesn't have to be as drastic as this movie makes it to be, but I still think it should come from an old fashioned background.

This all did not happen over night, as I explained I went through many bad relationships. But I do know now what I want. And I will not settle for less.

*All photos were found using Google