Staying calm in the holiday rush

It happens every year,  Thanksgiving ends and before you know it the holidays are upon us.  It can be easy to let go of our yoga practices so we feel like we have time to get everything else done but it is important to keep taking care of yourself so that you can take care of everything else, make sense? 

So, I wanted to share with you a couple poses that you can do even if you only have a few minutes to spare while the cookies are baking. 

1) This one isn't even a pose, just a simple breathing exercise.  Either sit upright in a chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground or lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.  Place your hands on your belly and just close your eyes and breath.  That's it, just feel your breathe move in and out, feel the muscles of your face relaxing and soften your belly.  Take at least 10 breathes.

2) Gomukhasana arms.  You might need a strap or a towel for this one- it is a great shoulder stretch.  Take your right arm up along side your ear (hold a strap in your  hand if your shoulders are tight) then bend at the elbow to bring your right hand towards the base of your neck, palm faces  your body.  Take your left arm down along side your  body and bend at the elbow so your left hand moves towards  your right hand, palm faces away from your body.  Either grasp your fingers or hold the strap with both hands. Take a few steady breathes and see if you can soften the sides of you neck and bring a little lift to the chest to find openness across the the front of the shoulders.  Slowly release and let both arms rest for a moment. Repeat on the other side.

image credit:http://tedsdc.com/clients/kraft/?p=55

3) Neck Stretch.  Sit upright (in a chair or on the floor, wherever you feel comfortable) and let your hands rest on your knees.  Tilt your right ear toward your right shoulder, slide your left shoulder blade down your back and extend your left arm out the left at about a 45 degree angle until you feel a stretch in the left side of your neck.  If you want more take your right hand over your head to your left ear to add a little more weight to the head.  Pause at center for a moment before switching sides.

4) Simple chair twist.  Find a chair with a back on it and it sit facing forward, plant your feet.  Turn to the right and hold the back of the chair with both hands.  Keep your hips square to the front of the chair.  Inhale and lengthen your spine and then exhale to gently turn to the right. Take a few breathes, inhaling to lengthen your spine and exhaling to perhaps twist a bit deeper.

image credit: https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/safety/occupationalHealth/Ergonomics/Microbreaks/YogaatWork/tabid/158/Default.aspx

5) Savasana (my favorite pose).  Lie on your back,  if your lower back is not happy here put a pillow or rolled up blanket under your knees to release your lower back.  Take yours arms along your sides and turn your palms to the ceiling.  There should be some space between your arms and your body.  Let the feel fall apart.  Let every muscle in your body relax.  Try to take 5 minutes here, coming out of it slowly by turning to your side and using your hands to press yourself to seated.

Namaste and Happy Holidays everyone!