YOGA for EVERY body
“Props make it possible”
By Kathy Randolph, Certified Practitioner
A common misconception is that you have to be flexible to begin a yoga practice; the truth however, is that flexibility is a result, not a prerequisite – a very important distinction. You also gain strength, balance and coordination from the physical poses, and improved circulation and stress relief from the breathing exercises. Yoga really is for people of all ages, sizes and physical condition.
Many beginners benefit from the use of props. Props help with proper alignment, and provide support to the muscles, minimizing strain. A strap, a folded blanket, a block or a chair can allow a new student to do the poses safely and correctly right from the start. Here are some examples of the use of props in forward bends.
A classic pose is seated, legs straight out in front, bending forward from the hips (Figure 1).
This pose, with the addition of a folded blanket and a strap is easily accessible to the beginning student (Figure 2).
• The folded blanket is placed so the sitting bones are right on the blanket’s edge, tilting the pelvis forward and protecting the low back.
• The strap is looped around the feet with the ends held in each hand, providing the same tension as holding the feet directly. Stretch gently, then release and move up on the inhale.
If there are special low back concerns, a safe approach to the forward bend is lying on the back, either on the floor or on a bed, and stretch one leg at a time (Figure 3).
• Start by lying on the back, both knees bent and soles of feet on the floor.
• Bring the right knee toward the chest and put the strap around the arch of the foot, ends of the strap in each hand.
• Straighten the right leg, and draw it closer while exhaling. Release gently on the inhale and repeat with the breath. After gentle stretching, release and repeat on the other side.
If getting up from the floor presents problems, use a block or a chair, and do the pose standing (Figures 4 and 5).
• Stand in front of the prop and bend forward from the hips on the exhale.
• Place both hands on the block or chair and breathe, relaxing further into the stretch on the exhalation. After gentle stretching,bend the knees and inhale to move up to standing, lifting with the legs, not the back.
By design, yoga poses help us to achieve and maintain a full range of motion. The use of props will allow you to practice this ancient discipline while you gain the wonderful flexibility, strength, coordination and balance yoga can provide – for anybody!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice day!
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, amazing blog!
You made some respectable factors there. I went on the internet for the issue and found most people will go together with with your website.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
This design is wicked! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
You have some really good posts. Thanks!
I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
Amazing blog! Many thanks
Superb post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!
This site could undeniably be one of the greatest in its niche. Excellent blog!
This design is incredible! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later in life. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice morning!
Howdy! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your blog posts. Appreciate it!
Great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a superb job with this. In addition, the blog loads super fast for me on Safari. Exceptional Blog!
My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking over your web page again.
Hello! I’ve been reading your site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
Hello! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with approximately all significant infos. I would like to read extra posts like this.
You have observed very interesting details ! ps decent website .
Fantastic blog!
Excellent website you have here. Cheers!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading your articles. Thanks!
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a excellent job with this. In addition, the blog loads super fast for me on Opera. Excellent Blog!
My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.
Wow, this piece oof writing is pleasant, my sister is
analyzing such things, thus I am going to let know
her.
Howdy fantastic blog! Thanks a lot!
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
I like what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the good works guys I’ve you guys to my blogroll.
I was just searching for this info for some time.
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you
We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Again, awesome weblog!
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Outstanding work!
Superb blog! Many thanks!
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your blog posts. Appreciate it!
Hey There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn.This is a very
smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it
and come back to read more of your useful information. Thank you for
the post. I will definitely return.
Hello, I enjoy reading throuigh your article.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
Keep working ,great job!
Very interesting info! Perfect, just what I was looking for!
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Cheers
It’s going to finish my day, however before ending I am
reading this fantastic piece of writing to improve mmy experience.
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the good works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.
Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Amazing blog!
I am genuinely delighted to read this webpage post which consists of lots
of helpful facts, thanks for providing this kinds of data.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
Greetings from Idaho! I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing blog!
Very good written information. It will be helpful to anybody who employes it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – I will definitely read more posts.
Wonderful points altogether, you just gained a new reader.
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice day!
You have some really great posts. Regards!
Will be back to get more. Thanks
You completed some fine points there.
As soon as I found this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back from now on. I want to encourage you to continue your great writing, have a nice weekend!
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work.
Woah! I’m really enjoying this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and appearance. I must say you have done a great job with this. Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!
Excellent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends and additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you!
Hi there very nice blog!! Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also… thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the marvelous post! I certainly enjoyed reading it. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice evening!
Hey! I just want to give a huge thumbs up for the good information you’ve got right here on this post. I will be coming again to your blog for more soon.
“Great Blogpost! Enjoying the information on this website, you’ve done a superb job on the content.”
“Great Blogpost! I couldn’t refrain from commenting. _Perfectly written!”
Great article. Thank you for helping me get educated about this.
We stumbled over here from a different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
Great article. Thank you for helping me get educated about this.