You Do What?

I do all sorts of things — I knit, I do yoga, I read all sorts of books, and I love to travel. So, I decided I needed a page where I could talk about all these other things I do. I’ve already got Fooding where I post my recipes, but I just needed a catch-all page for everything else. I’ll post interesting stuff I do here every now and then. Hope you enjoy it!! And feel free to leave me a comment below!

I recently went away for a fabulous writer’s weekend with five other women (see my blog posting of 7/29). While there, I shared with them the way I like to wake up in the morning – by doing two sun salutations (yoga). It’s a gently way to get your body moving and your mind ready for the day. At the end of the weekend, I promised my friends that I would post the directions to what we did on my website, along with the pictures that another friend took of us doing this. So, here it is! Keep up the good work, ladies!

Sun Salutation A

Start in mountain pose with your feet hip distance apart and your weight evenly balanced on each foot

Reach up to the sky 

Bend forward and reach down to your toes

Lift up half-way, reaching your heart forward

Reach down to the floor

Place your hands on the floor and move your right foot back behind you

Move your left foot back so that you’re in plank position

You can double dip (lower down and lift right back up again to do a full push-up) or just lower down (chaturanga).

Lift your upper body up into cobra position 

Move into downward-facing dog

Move your right foot forward between your hands (or as far as it will go)

Move your left foot forward to meet your right.

With your arms straight out to either side of you, stand up, ending with your arms straight above your head as you began, reaching toward the sky.

Do the same exact sequence all over again, only this time move your left foot back first and your left foot forward again after the chaturunga.

To watch the cutest little stick figure doing a sun salutation follow this link: http://yogasite.com/sunsalute.htm

Sun Salutation B (Merry’s version)

Start in mountain pose (see above)

Bend your knees and put your arms up so that they are next to your ears (chair pose) 

Stay there for a breath or two to work your thighs

Do a forward bend to touch your toes

Lift up half-way with your heart forward

Go back into a forward bend, then place your hands on the floor

Move your feet back so that you are in the plank position

Lower down, chatarunga, and then move into cobra or hover your upper body and knees  up off the floor in upward-facing dog.

Curl your toes under and move into downward-facing dog

Move your right foot forward between your hands

Cartwheel your arms open and lift your body up into warrior II position

Stay there for three breaths, enjoying the power

Straighten your right leg without locking your knee; move your right hand to the inside of your right ankle and your left hand up to the sky. Look at your left hand (triangle position).

Stay here for two or three breaths.

Shift your weight forward on to your right leg and float your left foot up so that you are making a T position with your body.

Put your hands to your heart in Namaste or (to make it slightly harder) reach your right hand forward to make a full T.

Stay there for two or three breaths, keeping your core strong in order to maintain your balance.

Gently float your foot back down on to the ground. Place your hands on either side of your front foot and move back into plank position.

Lower down for chatarunga then into cobra or upward-facing dog.

Shift into downward facing dog

Move your left foot forward between your hands

We’re now going to do the same sequence, so I’ll zip through it here:

Cartwheel your arms open to warrior II, shift into triangle pose (looking up at your right hand), float up into a T with your hands at your heart or your left hand reaching forward, float back down and move back into plank.

Do one more chaturanga sequence ending in downward-facing dog.

Bend your knees and either step or float your feet forward so they’re right behind your hands.

Lift your hands, but keep your knees bent so you end up in chair position.

Hold that for a breath, then straighten into mountain pose.

Namaste. You’ve now completed two sun salutations and you’re ready to start your day with a clear mind and a healthy body!