This weekend’s focus was on twists and forward bends.  Doesn’t sound too hard, right?  I can do a forward bend all day long- just can’t do a back bend to save my life, ha ha ha!! So, first, I want to start off with some KEY POINTS that are really imperative to twisting.  You won’t believe it, but, really the most important part of a standing twist is the upper back and shoulder girdle.  Below, I am demonstrating a reasonable Extended Side Angle Pose {left hip should come down and my shoulders need to rotate outward more, and create more space in the torso}.  But, it’s ok.

From here to the wrap is where it things go really forward (and not in a good way)..
From the extended side angle pose you can add a “wrap” to it.  This is where the top arm wraps around my back and my bottom arm reaches under for a wrist hold.  When you can recognize the signs of “oh crap my alignment is completely OFF” then you are not ready for this pose.  The athlete in me, says, if the goal is to wrap it, then I can wrap it.  But, it looks like hell.   Totally collapsing forward.   There should be some ROTATION starting from the navel and going upward through the crown of the head.   Little Miss Stiff needs to go back the above pose and work the rotation more before coming into this advanced version.

One ragged looking mommy.  But a couple of important points here.  BOTH HIPS should ground down into the floor.  The lever shoulder (my left) should be pointing back and the other shoulder should point back as well.  See how they are rounding forward?  The rotation should start from the pelvis and go all the way up.  Do I look relaxed? No. This is an incredibly hard pose!

Moving on to Handstand.  It’s official, I can get in handstand! Yeah for me.  Again, it isn’t pretty, but, at least,  I can feel in my body now how to get up.   Feet should come together vigorously with the balls of the feet pointing towards the ceiling.  Chin can relax and come parallel to the floor.  Would also be important to breath here (not pant like a dog).

Finally, a pose you could all do with your partner, buddy or kid.  One is in child’s pose with arms extended.  The other one gets to lay on your back and extend their arms over head.  (Not sure I’d want my husband on my back, but, I was on his, and he liked it.)  The person on top can reach for your wrists and get a get stretch through the side body.

My weekend.  Know of any other partner poses?  Things I forgot?  Remember, I am just learning here!  Thanks for reading.