Happy St Patty's Day!

Happy St Patrick's day to all my yogi's!

Final post for the #inversionsmakeyouhot Instagram challenge

Day 16: Bound Arm Headstand

Day 17: Handstand with Eagle Legs

Day 18: Viparita Shalabhasana

Day 19: Funky Dolphin

Day 20: Headstand Embryo

Day 21: Scorpion Handstand

Day 22: Tripod Headstand Transition

Day 23: Grasshopper Pose

Day 24: Headstand with Lotus Legs

Day 25: Baby Bakasana

Day 26: Tripod Headstand to Side Crow Pose

Day 27: Wide-Leg Handstand

Day 28: Toe Tap (much harder than it looks!)

After participating in my first Instagram Yoga Challenge, I have become addicted.  I'm doing another challenge this month, called Invert Yo Self March (#invertyoselfmarch).  If you have an instagram, you can follow me: @seawhit if not, I'll try to keep you posted through the blog :)

So, the final question I must answer: Do inversions really make you hot?  Personally, I did become better and more confident in my inversions over the past month.  This challenged encouraged me to try things I had never done before and be consistent in my practice.  I do feel stronger (which probably translates as "hotter" to most people).  So, I guess the answer is yes #inversionsmakeyouhot.  They also make you more energetic, boost endorphins which make you happier, and enhance balance and arm strength.  As with anything, know your limits, have fun, and don't forget to breathe! 

Sometimes it's nice to look at the world from a different perspective; I have chosen the upside-down perspective

Part 3 (the final chapter) of the #inversionsmakeyouhot challenge is coming soon! I'm having some technical difficulties uploading the photos and video, so please bear with me.

 Until then, I have a sped-up video of headstand with leg variations.  Enjoy!

Did you know, any yoga inversion can boost your mood?  Next time your feeling low on energy or down in the dumps, try a downward-facing dog or handstand to increase your endorphins.  Trust me, after spending two hours unsuccessfully uploading photos for todays post, I was a little frustrated (to put it mildly).  Doing this headstand helped me from becoming overly stressed-out about things that I am unable to control.  To me, yoga practice is always a nice reminder of how to let go of things and poses that aren't ready to happen and how to embrace and enjoy the things that come easily and naturally.  Yoga is a way to look at things from a different perspective; today's perspective is upside-down.

Part 2 of Inversions

This week has been fun and difficult.  Several of these poses really challenged and humbled me.  I know it sounds hokey, but I like to remind myself that yoga is about the journey, not the destination.  So, without further ado, here's this past weeks instagram #inversionsmakeyouhot challenges: 

Day 7: Bakasana to Tripod headstand

Day 8: Fallen Angel Pose

Day 9: Handstand Prep

Day 10: Pinchamyurasana (Forearm Stand)

Day 11: Urdhvapadmasana
(photo bombed by my handsome dog Ramses)

Day 12: Firefly

Day 13: Eka Hasta Bhujasana (with a little extra panache)

Day 14: Forearm Stand with Eagle Leg variation

Day 15: One-Leg Bakasana

#inversionsmakeyouhot

I am participating in a yoga challenge via Instagram this month.  The goal of the challenge is to work on improving inversions, the sponsors provide a different inversion challenge each day for you to accomplish.  If your familiar with Instagram and the concept of hashtags, you can view every participants inversion attempts through the aptly titled hashtag #inversionsmakeyouhot.  Otherwise, you will only be able to see my images through this blog:

Day 1: Handstand prep with support

Day 2: One-legged headstand

Day 3: Tripod Headstand

Day 4: Handstand Prep Kick-up

Day 5: Bhujapidasana

Day 6: Parsvabakasana

And that's week one; I'll post more images from week two soon!

Patience Young Grasshopper

Grasshopper Arm Balance

To be completely honest, the first time I saw this posture, I thought: How the hell did that leg get there?!  Well, I've figured out one variation that is relatively simple once broken down.  Of course, there are other ways to come into this posture; if you have one you prefer, go for it and have fun!

Before trying this posture, please warm up.  Grasshopper requires flexibility, strength, balance, and above all a positive attitude.  Once you are ready, I recommend you begin by moving into a twist with the foot on the back of the humerus (as I did in the video).  Only transition into the arm balance once you can get your foot on the back of the arm.  This is why it is so important to warm up the hips, hamstrings, wrists, shoulders, core, and everything else before the posture.

Also, you may notice that before moving into the balance I lift my hips and adjust my hands on the mat in order to find the best distribution of weight.  Keep your gaze beyond your fingertips, gradually shifting the gaze to the left/right side.  Squeeze your elbows close to the body (Chaturanga arms).  Keep the elbows around a 90 degree angle in order to act as a shelf for the foot.  And voilà...maybe.  

Remember, to be patient if a posture doesn't work on the first try.  Don't give up and don't become frustrated.  Yoga is about practice, not perfection :)

Happy Saturday!

It was a little windy and a lot chilly outside today, but any day spent at the beach is fine by me.  I did a few poses before the cold got to me...

King Pidgeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

One-Legged Balance (Eka Pada Galavasana)

Tripod Headstand Variation (Sirsasana)

These poses are by no means perfect, they are just a part of my practice.  Some postures come easily for me, others take more time and patience to achieve, such as tripod head stand.  During meditation today I reminisced back to my first few yoga experiences, particularly the things I found difficult that now come easily.  One of my biggest yogic achievements has been harnessing my Ocean-Sounding breath, Ujjayi pranayama; a feat that took me two years.  Sometimes, the simplest things can be made difficult by our egos.  For this reason, I find it important to remind myself daily to smile, breath, and go slowly.  It's not how hard you fall, but how fast you get back up (I'm not trying to take credit for this quote, I'm just unsure of who actually said it).

Have a great Saturday!