This weekend’s focus was on inversions!
All my classmates were very sore/uncomfortable/excited about the 2 hour practice that I missed yesterday, so I was apprehensive about coming to today. In all the yoga classes I’ve ever attended EVER, there has never been any inversions taught. Although, shoulder stand had been addressed, I’ve never been instructed on how to get into a handstand or a shoulder stand correctly.
Today was my lucky day! As usual, I had a blast throughout the two hour yoga practice that included lots of Sun Salutes, Standing Poses, and several different kinds of inversions. And, yes, I did do a 40 minute bike workout prior to the class but I didn’t experience any cramping or excessive pain or “Oh My Gosh” can we stop now kind of thoughts. The following are some things I was excited to show my toddler- these are “lead up” exercises to learning how to do inversions.
First, Kick Ups. From Down Dog, place one leg in front and one leg behind and practice kicking the straight leg into the air and tap your thigh with the bent leg.
Another fun thing was the walk up the wall. Facing away from the wall you basically just walk up and then walk back down. Good prep for handstands.
Fun! Fun! Fun! Please note that I am absolutely a beginner on these poses and I don’t recommend that you try doing a handstand without a teacher. Seriously. However, it’s fun to show you what I learned today. In Svasana, what do you think I was thinking?? About how to recreate these activities at home with my kids and how can I work on these things at home! (In Svasana, you are supposed to be in a final resting pose where you are RESTING brain and body. Ha. Ha. Not for me and not for today. Feeling too good.)
Anybody work on inversions in their classes? Do yoga with your toddler? Love yoga?
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11 responses so far ↓
1 Jen // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:34 am
I work on inversions with the kids and they have the ego-mind that just forces them into the pose or an emotional frenzy when they can’t get there. I love teaching prep-only so that they can all feel good without getting overwhelmed by the goal.
I love walking up into an inversion from down dog- that’s my fave!
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2 Kathy // Apr 20, 2009 at 11:12 am
Great post! I have to dedicate some time to yoga. I feel my pains and aches from running are attributed to tight muscles, and that even the few minutes I do after each run and at night are not helping to loosen them enough. Thanks for motivating me!
Kathys last blog post..Question of the Week: How Many Days and Miles do You Run Per Week?
3 Becca // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I have only done yoga a few times but your demo is great! I have a 3 year old and he “loves doing exercising with mommy!”
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4 Tiffany // Apr 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm
In almost every yoga class I have taken we have done some for of inversions at the end. As long as I have a wall I am good for them – but I have to have that wall!
Mikayla loves to do yoga with me – it is so cute to watch her try. Her head is always on the floor in downward dog and I try to get her to lift it but that makes it too hard and before I know it her head is on the floor again.
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5 Kch // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I really like inversions. In the class I go to, we usually do shoulder stands, and sometimes backbends, handstands or headstands. They are very invigorating!
Kchs last blog post..10 Mile Long Run
6 Catherine // Apr 20, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I did my first headstand recently (in a class) and I was SO proud and excited. It was such a great feeling. I did come home and show my kids! They sometimes do yoga with me when I practice at home.
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7 Bonnie // Apr 20, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I love inversions and my kids think I am a superhero when I do a handstand. They love trying them after me, with a little help. I think these are great to do with kids.
Bonnies last blog post..Sadness
8 Angela // Apr 21, 2009 at 3:41 am
This is a fantastic way to wake up if you are tired. Better than caffiene! I read that more blood flows to your brain during an inversion (makes sense) and thus has a stimulating effect. It works it wakes you up fast! I just wish I could do it at work!
Angelas last blog post..Hula Hoop for Health
9 Stephanie // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:24 am
What a good role model you are to your kids! I’m sure your love of fitness will “rub off” on them.
Stephanies last blog post..Sleep, My Little Baby Bird
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