1 00:00:00,567 --> 00:00:02,456 - Hey everyone, welcome to Yoga With Adriene. 2 00:00:02,456 --> 00:00:06,073 I'm Adriene and this is Benji, knucklehead, 3 00:00:06,073 --> 00:00:10,777 and today we have a yoga for tension relief. 4 00:00:10,777 --> 00:00:13,673 So it happens whether it's from emotional 5 00:00:13,673 --> 00:00:17,927 or physical stress, we collection tension 6 00:00:17,927 --> 00:00:20,487 and this is a really cool, calming practice 7 00:00:20,487 --> 00:00:23,090 that's gonna help you relieve some of that 8 00:00:23,090 --> 00:00:24,691 and find what feels good. 9 00:00:24,691 --> 00:00:27,794 So hop into something comfy and let's get started. 10 00:00:27,794 --> 00:00:32,799 (bright music) 11 00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:44,912 Alrighty my friends, let's begin in a comfortable seat. 12 00:00:44,912 --> 00:00:50,117 Go ahead and use your towel or blanket to sit on here 13 00:00:50,117 --> 00:00:51,985 and just lift the hips up. 14 00:00:51,985 --> 00:00:55,455 And a great way to gauge is if you feel like your spine is 15 00:00:55,455 --> 00:00:59,092 collapsing, totally normal, go ahead and lift the hips up so 16 00:00:59,092 --> 00:01:02,896 you can find length with a bit more ease and what this lift 17 00:01:02,896 --> 00:01:06,133 does is it gets the hips a little bit higher than the femur 18 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:11,060 or the thigh bones and the knees so that you can find that lift 19 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,340 with a little less struggle. 20 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:17,010 So I've spent a lot of time on the ground by now and I'm able 21 00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:19,613 to kind of open up through the hips. 22 00:01:19,613 --> 00:01:22,799 Some people are just born anatomically with more open hips 23 00:01:22,799 --> 00:01:26,620 so I really can not stress enough the importance of lifting 24 00:01:26,620 --> 00:01:30,691 the hips up so you can sit up nice and tall if you need. 25 00:01:33,327 --> 00:01:37,664 Since we are addressing tension and the way in which it 26 00:01:37,664 --> 00:01:42,302 accumulates in the body due to stress either physically or, 27 00:01:42,302 --> 00:01:45,472 let's be honest, mentally or emotionally as well, 28 00:01:45,472 --> 00:01:48,075 since we are addressing tension today I think it's important 29 00:01:48,075 --> 00:01:51,878 that we start in a nice comfortable position and that we 30 00:01:51,878 --> 00:01:54,881 already start to direct our attention or our mind towards 31 00:01:54,881 --> 00:01:58,871 what that feels like or even, you know, 32 00:01:58,871 --> 00:02:02,990 observe or notice how hard it is to get comfortable today, maybe. 33 00:02:05,759 --> 00:02:09,745 So take your time, as always, settling in but really taking 34 00:02:09,745 --> 00:02:13,880 this first beat to notice where you are. 35 00:02:15,058 --> 00:02:18,505 Maybe you're practicing along with Benji and I 36 00:02:18,505 --> 00:02:22,743 for preventative care today. 37 00:02:22,743 --> 00:02:27,974 Or maybe you have intentionally selected this video to 38 00:02:27,974 --> 00:02:31,147 welcome some much needed relief. 39 00:02:34,955 --> 00:02:37,033 Wherever you are, 40 00:02:38,089 --> 00:02:43,307 let's start to gently close the eyes or soften 41 00:02:43,307 --> 00:02:46,758 the gaze and bring your attention inward. 42 00:02:51,371 --> 00:02:53,807 When you're ready, start to notice your breath, 43 00:02:53,807 --> 00:02:55,809 nice and easy. 44 00:02:57,844 --> 00:02:59,786 So to me there's already so much value 45 00:02:59,786 --> 00:03:01,858 in what you've already done. 46 00:03:03,216 --> 00:03:06,553 Made the decision, selected the video, 47 00:03:06,553 --> 00:03:11,505 pressed play, set yourself up to observe, 48 00:03:12,225 --> 00:03:16,654 to find or work to find a nice comfortable seat. 49 00:03:18,598 --> 00:03:21,194 So today's sequence is quite simple 50 00:03:21,194 --> 00:03:25,086 but there's a lot of depth in this 51 00:03:25,086 --> 00:03:27,774 opportunity that you've taken for yourself. 52 00:03:27,774 --> 00:03:32,546 There's a lot there and as I always like to say a little goes 53 00:03:32,546 --> 00:03:36,516 a long way so just start off nice and easy by allowing 54 00:03:36,516 --> 00:03:39,795 yourself this time 55 00:03:39,795 --> 00:03:42,155 to simply notice and observe the breath. 56 00:03:42,155 --> 00:03:43,557 You don't have to do anything. 57 00:03:43,557 --> 00:03:45,559 You don't have to force anything. 58 00:03:45,559 --> 00:03:49,046 You certainly don't have to push any more. 59 00:03:53,133 --> 00:03:56,385 But instead, with the eyes closed, 60 00:03:57,571 --> 00:04:00,040 lengthening up through the crown of the head, 61 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,276 grounding down through the low body, 62 00:04:03,276 --> 00:04:04,657 just notice your breath. 63 00:04:14,591 --> 00:04:15,911 Great. 64 00:04:16,822 --> 00:04:18,358 And try to stay present with 65 00:04:18,358 --> 00:04:21,128 whatever's going on in the moment. 66 00:04:21,128 --> 00:04:24,698 Again, some days it's a struggle to land. 67 00:04:27,801 --> 00:04:30,203 And then some days you land, drop right in, 68 00:04:30,203 --> 00:04:31,538 right into that comfortable seat, 69 00:04:31,538 --> 00:04:34,596 into that Sukha. That Sukhasana. 70 00:04:40,780 --> 00:04:45,118 And then you may have observed already that by just bringing 71 00:04:45,118 --> 00:04:49,800 your awareness to the moment and whatever is honestly going on in 72 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,026 the moment, things start to shift and change and 73 00:04:53,026 --> 00:04:55,462 we see that with the breath. 74 00:04:55,462 --> 00:04:59,866 So I have not really even guided you into any technical pranayama 75 00:04:59,866 --> 00:05:03,217 yet but you can 76 00:05:03,217 --> 00:05:06,239 most likely already observe that by just 77 00:05:06,239 --> 00:05:10,744 bringing your awareness to the present moment 78 00:05:10,744 --> 00:05:12,212 your breath starts to change. 79 00:05:14,388 --> 00:05:17,217 So if that's happening for you, even if it's just like one 80 00:05:17,217 --> 00:05:22,389 awesome deep breath, let it. 81 00:05:22,389 --> 00:05:23,757 Allow it, allow it to happen. 82 00:05:41,603 --> 00:05:46,279 And then whatever observations you're making here and whatever 83 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:51,284 attention or listening that's going on with the breath, 84 00:05:51,284 --> 00:05:54,487 see if you can keep it going but we'll just tuck the chin just a 85 00:05:54,487 --> 00:05:57,015 hair and lengthen through the back of the neck. 86 00:05:58,558 --> 00:06:00,927 And slowly draw the hands together at the heart. 87 00:06:00,927 --> 00:06:04,265 But keep going, keep breathing, keep noticing, 88 00:06:05,298 --> 00:06:08,705 allowing yourself to just be present 89 00:06:08,705 --> 00:06:11,037 with whatever you've got. 90 00:06:11,037 --> 00:06:13,039 Whatever you've brought to the table. 91 00:06:23,383 --> 00:06:25,608 Gently deepening the breath. 92 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:33,093 Just inviting and/or welcoming a sense of calm to the body. 93 00:06:33,093 --> 00:06:38,298 So tension is a many splendid thing, no. 94 00:06:38,298 --> 00:06:41,501 Tension is interesting, right? 95 00:06:41,501 --> 00:06:43,236 Because if it's not tended to 96 00:06:43,236 --> 00:06:45,505 it can really accumulate fast, right? 97 00:06:45,505 --> 00:06:49,676 And then the body starts to send us signals that, 98 00:06:49,676 --> 00:06:53,380 you know, something isn't right and that's that's when things 99 00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:55,615 can go wrong and sometimes even terribly wrong. 100 00:06:55,615 --> 00:06:56,826 So, 101 00:06:58,433 --> 00:07:01,976 just allow yourself this time and space here to breathe 102 00:07:01,976 --> 00:07:04,668 and to notice and welcome 103 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:08,495 a state of calm back to the body. 104 00:07:08,495 --> 00:07:10,964 And if it doesn't happen right away or if it doesn't happen in 105 00:07:10,964 --> 00:07:13,760 this practice just now that this time is valuable. 106 00:07:17,871 --> 00:07:21,089 Signaling the brain and the body 107 00:07:21,089 --> 00:07:25,264 saying it's okay to take a pause, 108 00:07:26,473 --> 00:07:30,873 to be present with the breath and to find stillness. 109 00:07:44,130 --> 00:07:47,934 Then just notice where you might be gripping or holding here. 110 00:07:47,934 --> 00:07:51,104 Maybe in the skin of the forehead or the jaw. 111 00:07:51,104 --> 00:07:53,106 The toes. 112 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:56,976 The shoulders. 113 00:07:56,976 --> 00:08:01,047 Energetically even in the body. 114 00:08:01,047 --> 00:08:02,749 Just doing a quick scan. 115 00:08:11,008 --> 00:08:12,759 And then slowly keep breathing. 116 00:08:12,759 --> 00:08:16,582 Keep all your beautiful observations going 117 00:08:16,582 --> 00:08:19,221 as you gently bow the head to the heart, 118 00:08:19,221 --> 00:08:22,386 start to feel a deep stretch in the back of the neck. 119 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:28,441 Again, soften through the jaw. 120 00:08:28,441 --> 00:08:30,910 Soften through the forehead. 121 00:08:32,403 --> 00:08:36,976 And with the head bowing down, see if you can lift up through 122 00:08:36,976 --> 00:08:39,885 the center channel, so up through the plumb line, 123 00:08:39,885 --> 00:08:42,554 maybe engaging the pelvic floor a bit. 124 00:08:42,554 --> 00:08:44,457 Then lift up through the sternum a bit. 125 00:08:44,457 --> 00:08:45,258 So you're just sitting up 126 00:08:45,258 --> 00:08:49,295 a little bit taller within this shape. 127 00:08:49,295 --> 00:08:52,307 It could be a big gesture. It could be very subtle. 128 00:08:55,101 --> 00:08:57,070 Then start to lift the corners of your mouth. 129 00:08:57,070 --> 00:08:59,072 Take one more deep breath in here. 130 00:09:01,141 --> 00:09:04,077 And as you exhale, slowly lift the head, 131 00:09:04,077 --> 00:09:06,546 bring the hands to the thighs or the knees. 132 00:09:06,546 --> 00:09:09,682 Head over heart, heart over pelvis here. 133 00:09:09,682 --> 00:09:10,884 Great, inhale in. 134 00:09:10,884 --> 00:09:13,043 Breathe into your belly. 135 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,222 This time as you exhale, see if you can really listen to the 136 00:09:16,222 --> 00:09:17,223 sound of your breath. 137 00:09:17,223 --> 00:09:20,283 Maybe, perhaps, creating a little Ujjayi breath. 138 00:09:23,863 --> 00:09:25,265 And see if you can keep that going. 139 00:09:25,265 --> 00:09:28,201 Really anchoring the brain and the breath together as one. 140 00:09:34,260 --> 00:09:36,248 If you're not familiar with Ujjayi breath, 141 00:09:36,248 --> 00:09:38,578 essentially we're taking the tip of the tongue 142 00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:40,046 to the roof of the mouth, 143 00:09:40,046 --> 00:09:43,383 creating this soft restriction in the back of the throat. 144 00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:48,221 We have a whole video on Ujjayi breath so you can find that. 145 00:09:48,221 --> 00:09:52,025 I will put it in the description for you if you're interested. 146 00:09:52,025 --> 00:09:53,790 And at the very least we're just seeing if we can 147 00:09:53,790 --> 00:09:57,664 extend the inhale, extend the exhalation. 148 00:09:57,664 --> 00:10:02,335 Starting to bring more pranayama technique to the practice but 149 00:10:02,335 --> 00:10:05,972 not losing that state of calm or 150 00:10:05,972 --> 00:10:08,914 that willingness to welcome the calm. 151 00:10:17,817 --> 00:10:20,119 See if you can get an audible breath going here. 152 00:10:20,119 --> 00:10:22,122 You're doin' awesome. 153 00:10:24,090 --> 00:10:26,926 And even if you can catch a couple waves of this Ujjayi 154 00:10:26,926 --> 00:10:30,997 breath, you're, I think, bound to feel almost immediate 155 00:10:30,997 --> 00:10:32,132 effects of this breath. 156 00:10:32,132 --> 00:10:36,469 It's still so magnificent to me how quickly pranayama, 157 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:41,074 focused pranayama, can really change the way we feel. 158 00:10:46,179 --> 00:10:48,081 Take one more cycle of breath here. 159 00:10:57,588 --> 00:10:59,692 And then we'll let that go. 160 00:10:59,692 --> 00:11:01,060 We're gonna open the palms now, 161 00:11:01,060 --> 00:11:03,997 spread the fingertips super wide open. 162 00:11:03,997 --> 00:11:07,967 And then close into strong fists. 163 00:11:07,967 --> 00:11:09,702 Here we go, big inhale to open. 164 00:11:09,702 --> 00:11:12,038 Stretch. 165 00:11:12,038 --> 00:11:15,708 And then close, strong fists. 166 00:11:15,708 --> 00:11:18,077 Open. 167 00:11:18,077 --> 00:11:21,249 And last time, close. Super strong. 168 00:11:21,249 --> 00:11:23,883 And then release, allow the fingertips to 169 00:11:23,883 --> 00:11:26,119 now float to the fingertips. 170 00:11:26,119 --> 00:11:28,988 Once again, gathering some energy up through that center 171 00:11:28,988 --> 00:11:30,490 plumb line, the midline. 172 00:11:30,490 --> 00:11:31,758 You can kind of lift up, 173 00:11:31,758 --> 00:11:34,794 little kegel from the pelvic floor if it helps. 174 00:11:34,794 --> 00:11:37,175 Relax the shoulders down the back body, 175 00:11:37,175 --> 00:11:38,631 lift your chest. 176 00:11:38,631 --> 00:11:40,433 Inhale, lengthen through the crown. 177 00:11:40,433 --> 00:11:42,602 Neck is nice and long. 178 00:11:42,602 --> 00:11:44,103 Exhale slow and steady. 179 00:11:44,103 --> 00:11:46,839 First just take the left elbow forward 180 00:11:46,839 --> 00:11:48,841 and the right elbow back. 181 00:11:48,841 --> 00:11:51,044 So we're not pushing and you don't have your fingertips on 182 00:11:51,044 --> 00:11:52,845 the ground or really force, 183 00:11:52,845 --> 00:11:54,547 you've got to do the work from within. 184 00:11:54,547 --> 00:11:57,917 Using your breath to find a twist in the spine. 185 00:11:57,917 --> 00:11:59,852 Lower body's nice and heavy. 186 00:11:59,852 --> 00:12:01,788 Crown is lifted. 187 00:12:01,788 --> 00:12:04,157 And then all the way back through center, 188 00:12:04,157 --> 00:12:07,026 right elbow forward, left elbow back. 189 00:12:07,026 --> 00:12:09,796 Keep the heart lifted. 190 00:12:09,796 --> 00:12:11,564 Now we're gonna speed it up. 191 00:12:11,564 --> 00:12:13,800 Back and forth. 192 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:18,004 You can find a nice rhythm of breath here that suits you. 193 00:12:19,306 --> 00:12:20,540 Smile. 194 00:12:21,283 --> 00:12:23,142 Breathe. 195 00:12:23,142 --> 00:12:25,381 Back and forth, nice and easy. 196 00:12:30,817 --> 00:12:32,485 Head over heart, heart over pelvis, 197 00:12:32,485 --> 00:12:34,988 so don't lean too far forward. 198 00:12:34,988 --> 00:12:37,857 And not leaning way too far back. 199 00:12:37,857 --> 00:12:41,761 Nice and stacked through all of the spine, 200 00:12:41,761 --> 00:12:43,529 all of your chakras. 201 00:12:43,529 --> 00:12:47,267 All those amazing, crazy points where all 202 00:12:47,267 --> 00:12:49,430 your nerves come together. 203 00:12:52,171 --> 00:12:54,032 Great, we're here for three. Keep going. 204 00:12:55,398 --> 00:12:58,211 Two, and on the one release. 205 00:12:58,211 --> 00:12:59,712 Palms face up this time. 206 00:12:59,712 --> 00:13:00,947 Fingertips float down. 207 00:13:00,947 --> 00:13:04,317 Just take a deep breath in, notice how you feel. 208 00:13:04,317 --> 00:13:07,120 And a long breath out. 209 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,055 Excellent, let's come forward on to all fours. 210 00:13:09,055 --> 00:13:10,836 Move nice and slow. 211 00:13:10,836 --> 00:13:13,226 Move as if you're like moving through water 212 00:13:13,226 --> 00:13:17,664 or nice beautiful air, thick air. Fog, I mean. 213 00:13:18,898 --> 00:13:20,700 Whatever. Okay, here we go. 214 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:22,502 You can use your towel or your blanket to pad 215 00:13:22,502 --> 00:13:24,504 the knees here if you like. 216 00:13:26,606 --> 00:13:28,207 Excuse me, Benji. 217 00:13:28,207 --> 00:13:32,423 Sorry, buddy. Sorry, buddy. 218 00:13:32,423 --> 00:13:34,514 Spread the palms, here we go. 219 00:13:34,514 --> 00:13:37,248 Inhale to drop the belly, open the chest. 220 00:13:38,384 --> 00:13:40,720 Exhale to round through the spine, 221 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,722 chin to chest. 222 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:46,492 Inhale to open. 223 00:13:48,394 --> 00:13:50,508 Exhale to contract. 224 00:13:51,998 --> 00:13:54,367 Press into your fingerprints. 225 00:13:54,367 --> 00:13:57,336 Press into the tops of the feet. 226 00:13:57,336 --> 00:13:58,738 Slow and steady. 227 00:14:03,566 --> 00:14:08,715 Inviting a softness into each gesture. 228 00:14:08,715 --> 00:14:12,351 So not pushing. Not forcing. 229 00:14:15,330 --> 00:14:19,430 Biceps and elbow creases shining forward here. 230 00:14:25,765 --> 00:14:29,135 Excellent. And then we'll bring it back to a nice neutral spine. 231 00:14:29,135 --> 00:14:31,771 Bring your knees as wide as the yoga mat. 232 00:14:31,771 --> 00:14:34,874 I'm gonna place my blanket to the side but you can do whatever 233 00:14:34,874 --> 00:14:36,542 you like with yours. 234 00:14:36,542 --> 00:14:41,314 Big toes to touch and nice and slow we're gonna melt the heart 235 00:14:41,314 --> 00:14:44,650 into Extended Child's Pose. 236 00:14:44,650 --> 00:14:46,753 Reach the fingertips forward. 237 00:14:46,753 --> 00:14:49,655 Feel that opening through the shoulders as your heart melts 238 00:14:49,655 --> 00:14:52,179 towards your yoga mat. 239 00:14:53,985 --> 00:14:57,293 You can get a little kiss of the forehead on the ground here. 240 00:14:57,293 --> 00:15:00,245 You can even rock the forehead gently side to side. 241 00:15:01,868 --> 00:15:06,172 Here's where you close your eyes and within the beautiful gentle 242 00:15:06,172 --> 00:15:09,642 confines of your own private little love cave here, 243 00:15:09,642 --> 00:15:13,473 choose to let go of any stress or tension 244 00:15:13,473 --> 00:15:16,777 that is in your body 245 00:15:16,777 --> 00:15:19,494 but honestly, in your life. 246 00:15:19,494 --> 00:15:23,022 We don't even have to identify it here right now. 247 00:15:23,022 --> 00:15:28,224 But sometimes we don't even realize how strong we're holding 248 00:15:28,224 --> 00:15:32,887 on to certain patterns that bring us stress. 249 00:15:34,801 --> 00:15:37,067 That create tension. 250 00:15:41,908 --> 00:15:43,709 Inhale lots of love in here. 251 00:15:43,709 --> 00:15:45,844 Breathe into your back body. 252 00:15:47,814 --> 00:15:49,774 Exhale lots of love out. 253 00:15:51,317 --> 00:15:51,984 Beautiful. 254 00:15:51,984 --> 00:15:55,121 Press into your foundation, so connect with the ground, 255 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:58,848 connect with to the earth as you slowly bring it back up. 256 00:15:59,926 --> 00:16:03,362 Walk the knees underneath the hips and we're gonna walk the 257 00:16:03,362 --> 00:16:04,430 hands out again. 258 00:16:04,430 --> 00:16:06,933 Eyes at elbows, so elbow creases towards the front. 259 00:16:06,933 --> 00:16:08,501 Biceps towards the front. 260 00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:12,271 We'll curl the toes under this time and lift the hips up high, 261 00:16:12,271 --> 00:16:13,906 Downward Facing Dog. 262 00:16:13,906 --> 00:16:15,732 Excuse me little doggy. 263 00:16:15,732 --> 00:16:18,711 Excuse me, dog. Excuse me, dog. 264 00:16:18,711 --> 00:16:21,480 No animals were harmed in the making of this video. 265 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,789 Okay, bend your knees, pedal it out. 266 00:16:24,784 --> 00:16:26,619 Start to find what feels good. 267 00:16:26,619 --> 00:16:29,046 Start to find the places that are tight. 268 00:16:30,456 --> 00:16:33,459 And then send your awareness and your love 269 00:16:33,459 --> 00:16:35,694 and your attention towards those places. 270 00:16:35,694 --> 00:16:38,130 So the more we start to do this on the mat, 271 00:16:38,130 --> 00:16:40,032 particularly in the asana practice, 272 00:16:40,032 --> 00:16:42,841 you can apply this to all of your asana, 273 00:16:42,841 --> 00:16:45,404 the more we start to do this off the mat. 274 00:16:45,404 --> 00:16:50,610 In our life situations, even in something as simple as changing 275 00:16:50,610 --> 00:16:53,980 your pillow, the one sleep on if you're lucky enough 276 00:16:53,980 --> 00:16:56,282 to be able to do that. 277 00:16:56,282 --> 00:17:01,254 Or, you know, letting go of certain friendships that bring 278 00:17:01,254 --> 00:17:06,242 tension or stress or bringing a better communication to those 279 00:17:06,242 --> 00:17:10,162 to relieve the stress or the tension, et cetera. 280 00:17:10,162 --> 00:17:11,230 Okay, we're here for three. 281 00:17:11,230 --> 00:17:13,432 You're doing great. 282 00:17:13,432 --> 00:17:16,135 I'm feeling some tightness and tension in my calves. 283 00:17:16,135 --> 00:17:18,271 I'm pedaling it out. 284 00:17:18,271 --> 00:17:21,641 Two, one, slowly lower back to all fours. 285 00:17:21,641 --> 00:17:23,943 This time bring the knees together, 286 00:17:23,943 --> 00:17:26,779 really together, and the arches of the feet together. 287 00:17:26,779 --> 00:17:29,815 You're gonna come back into Hero Pose. 288 00:17:29,815 --> 00:17:31,584 If this is not good for your knees, 289 00:17:31,584 --> 00:17:33,719 just go back to that comfortable seated posture 290 00:17:33,719 --> 00:17:34,687 that you were in before. 291 00:17:34,687 --> 00:17:37,423 If you still want to give it a try but the knees are giving you 292 00:17:37,423 --> 00:17:39,759 a little bit of pain in the front or a little bit of 293 00:17:39,759 --> 00:17:44,830 discomfort, take your blanky or your towel and hike it up right 294 00:17:44,830 --> 00:17:45,998 to the backs of the knees. 295 00:17:45,998 --> 00:17:50,603 And you can even double roll it and then come back and see if 296 00:17:50,603 --> 00:17:52,486 that feels a little bit better. 297 00:17:53,706 --> 00:17:55,708 Okey doke, so here we are. 298 00:17:55,708 --> 00:17:57,976 Virasana variation. 299 00:17:59,712 --> 00:18:02,615 Stacking through the spine, lifting through the heart. 300 00:18:03,438 --> 00:18:05,564 As you're ready just take a second to loop 301 00:18:05,564 --> 00:18:07,053 the shoulders forward, up and back. 302 00:18:07,053 --> 00:18:09,355 Just feel your shoulder blades coming together again. 303 00:18:09,355 --> 00:18:11,057 As if you're, I like to say this, 304 00:18:11,057 --> 00:18:14,393 pinching a pencil between your two shoulder blades. 305 00:18:14,393 --> 00:18:15,561 For me, the image works. 306 00:18:15,561 --> 00:18:19,031 Maybe it doesn't for you but activating the upper body, 307 00:18:19,031 --> 00:18:21,567 not just lifting up from the heart space. 308 00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:24,971 So seeing the body as one moving part, right? 309 00:18:24,971 --> 00:18:26,806 360. 310 00:18:26,806 --> 00:18:29,809 Okay, and from here we'll bring the fingertips to the sides, 311 00:18:29,809 --> 00:18:33,479 lift the corners of the mouth slightly and on an inhale you're 312 00:18:33,479 --> 00:18:37,183 gonna flip the palms up towards the sky and reach all the way 313 00:18:37,183 --> 00:18:39,444 up, up and overhead. Big breath in. 314 00:18:40,653 --> 00:18:42,845 And then exhale, float it down. 315 00:18:45,524 --> 00:18:47,447 Inhale, palms up. This is your vinyasa. 316 00:18:50,582 --> 00:18:52,745 Exhale, palms down. 317 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,411 Move nice and slow. Notice if you're rushing here. 318 00:18:56,411 --> 00:18:58,221 Inhale, reach it up. 319 00:19:01,474 --> 00:19:03,275 Exhale, float it down. 320 00:19:03,275 --> 00:19:05,277 See if you can create a little resistance here. 321 00:19:05,277 --> 00:19:07,746 Just even in the air, this control. 322 00:19:09,348 --> 00:19:11,508 Excellent, one more. Inhale, reach it up. 323 00:19:11,508 --> 00:19:13,252 Nice and slow, spread the fingertips. 324 00:19:13,252 --> 00:19:15,254 Find your Ujjayi breath. 325 00:19:16,889 --> 00:19:18,980 And exhale, press it down. 326 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:25,843 Excellent. Fingertips reach down. 327 00:19:25,843 --> 00:19:26,966 If they touch the earth, great. 328 00:19:26,966 --> 00:19:29,668 If not, just lots of energy through the fingertips. 329 00:19:29,668 --> 00:19:31,871 You're gonna take your right ear over your right shoulder. 330 00:19:33,002 --> 00:19:34,472 Breathe deep. 331 00:19:34,472 --> 00:19:35,710 Inhale in. 332 00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:41,013 Exhale, pressing your left hand into an imaginary surface. 333 00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:44,617 You're gonna flex the left fingertips up towards the sky. 334 00:19:44,617 --> 00:19:45,718 So you can play around here. 335 00:19:45,718 --> 00:19:48,954 Pulling the pinky back or bringing the thumb forward. 336 00:19:48,954 --> 00:19:52,494 You should feel incredible, incredible sensation 337 00:19:52,494 --> 00:19:55,795 and relief in the left trap here. 338 00:19:57,365 --> 00:20:00,032 And you can play around with this, 339 00:20:00,032 --> 00:20:02,601 breathing mindfully all the way along. 340 00:20:07,481 --> 00:20:10,676 And then if you just got a have a little more here, 341 00:20:10,676 --> 00:20:12,011 you can take your right hand, 342 00:20:12,011 --> 00:20:14,380 gently rest it on top of your left ear. 343 00:20:14,380 --> 00:20:15,548 Be really mindful. 344 00:20:17,196 --> 00:20:18,417 Mmmmm. 345 00:20:22,150 --> 00:20:22,788 Woo. 346 00:20:25,924 --> 00:20:27,594 And if you're feeling brave, 347 00:20:27,594 --> 00:20:29,829 lift your left fingertips up towards the ceiling. 348 00:20:29,829 --> 00:20:32,465 Take a deep breath in. 349 00:20:32,465 --> 00:20:34,533 Woo, and then exhale, release. 350 00:20:34,533 --> 00:20:36,925 (sighs) Take a second. 351 00:20:37,837 --> 00:20:39,405 Lot of energy in the fingertips. 352 00:20:39,405 --> 00:20:42,124 And when you're ready, left ear over left shoulder. 353 00:20:43,375 --> 00:20:45,010 So this might be your stopping point. 354 00:20:45,010 --> 00:20:48,647 I definitely feel a nice opening here from the back of the head, 355 00:20:48,647 --> 00:20:50,649 the atlas, all the way to my low back. 356 00:20:52,651 --> 00:20:54,653 Find the depth. 357 00:20:55,921 --> 00:20:58,424 But then if you're ready to take it a step further, 358 00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:02,308 start to press your right hand into an imaginary wall 359 00:21:02,308 --> 00:21:04,263 and flex your right fingertips up. 360 00:21:04,263 --> 00:21:07,099 So notice how I'm giving you that image of really pressing 361 00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:09,802 away versus just flexing the hand. 362 00:21:11,804 --> 00:21:15,841 So this also gets into the forearm and the wrist creating 363 00:21:15,841 --> 00:21:17,629 strength in the wrists. 364 00:21:18,678 --> 00:21:20,913 And then you can play around here. 365 00:21:20,913 --> 00:21:22,781 Front, back. 366 00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:23,816 Side to side. 367 00:21:23,816 --> 00:21:27,853 Notice if you've started to hold your breath when something tight 368 00:21:27,853 --> 00:21:29,855 has come along. 369 00:21:32,358 --> 00:21:35,161 When the tension gets magnified, 370 00:21:35,161 --> 00:21:38,597 can you remember to breathe deep? 371 00:21:38,597 --> 00:21:40,299 The audible breath is helpful. 372 00:21:43,682 --> 00:21:48,073 And then take one more breath cycle here to maybe 373 00:21:48,073 --> 00:21:51,177 bring the the left arm up. 374 00:21:51,177 --> 00:21:54,820 Maybe play with reaching right fingertips a little higher. 375 00:22:02,354 --> 00:22:04,790 Woo, and then slowly release. 376 00:22:04,790 --> 00:22:06,678 Awesome. Draw both shoulders up to the ears. 377 00:22:06,678 --> 00:22:08,494 Big inhale. 378 00:22:08,494 --> 00:22:11,230 Exhale, just drop it down with a sharp exhale. 379 00:22:11,230 --> 00:22:13,945 (sighs) Twice more like that. Inhale. 380 00:22:15,313 --> 00:22:17,336 And exhale, sigh it out. (sighs) 381 00:22:17,336 --> 00:22:19,071 And on this third one, surprise yourself. 382 00:22:19,071 --> 00:22:20,375 Let out a little sound. 383 00:22:20,375 --> 00:22:22,308 If you have a pet or a friend around, 384 00:22:22,308 --> 00:22:23,976 just freak them out on this last one a little bit. 385 00:22:23,976 --> 00:22:25,077 Here we go. 386 00:22:26,312 --> 00:22:27,213 Big breath in. 387 00:22:27,213 --> 00:22:29,655 Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze and exhale, let it go. 388 00:22:29,655 --> 00:22:30,893 (audibly huffs) 389 00:22:32,685 --> 00:22:34,320 Nothing. 390 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:36,455 Okay, if you're okay on your knees, 391 00:22:36,455 --> 00:22:39,358 you can stay here otherwise we're gonna shift right back to 392 00:22:39,358 --> 00:22:41,360 the that comfortable seat. 393 00:22:44,997 --> 00:22:46,449 Bring the palms together. 394 00:22:48,067 --> 00:22:50,002 Close your eyes. 395 00:22:50,002 --> 00:22:52,538 Tuck the chin. 396 00:22:52,538 --> 00:22:54,161 Take a deep breath in. 397 00:22:55,241 --> 00:22:57,631 And as you exhale, relax your shoulders. 398 00:23:00,079 --> 00:23:01,997 Back to the breath, inhale. 399 00:23:04,251 --> 00:23:05,944 Exhale. 400 00:23:08,554 --> 00:23:10,214 Long inhale. 401 00:23:13,268 --> 00:23:14,758 Long exhale. 402 00:23:15,828 --> 00:23:19,798 So always, always, always remembering the breath is there 403 00:23:19,798 --> 00:23:23,023 for you to return to again and again and again. 404 00:23:24,236 --> 00:23:27,345 If you're in Hero, go ahead and transition now. 405 00:23:27,345 --> 00:23:30,509 We're gonna all come from our seated posture 406 00:23:30,509 --> 00:23:33,445 to the ground, nice and slow. 407 00:23:33,445 --> 00:23:35,447 Come to lie flat on your back. 408 00:23:38,017 --> 00:23:40,019 Stretch the legs out long. 409 00:23:42,021 --> 00:23:43,289 Take a deep breath in. 410 00:23:43,289 --> 00:23:45,338 Feel supported by the earth. 411 00:23:47,393 --> 00:23:49,828 Hands are gonna come down to the ground and when you're ready 412 00:23:49,828 --> 00:23:52,031 we'll bend one knee and then the other bringing the heels up 413 00:23:52,031 --> 00:23:53,255 towards the sits bones. 414 00:23:53,255 --> 00:23:55,619 Toes are pointing forward not out or in. 415 00:23:57,169 --> 00:23:59,571 Ground through all four corners of the feet. 416 00:23:59,571 --> 00:24:02,564 Inhale in to lengthen through the neck. 417 00:24:02,564 --> 00:24:06,912 And then exhale, you're gonna really press into the palms and 418 00:24:06,912 --> 00:24:09,548 press into the feet so use your foundation to start to lift up 419 00:24:09,548 --> 00:24:10,916 from the tailbone. 420 00:24:10,916 --> 00:24:14,053 Feel this great stretch in the quads and the front of the hip 421 00:24:14,053 --> 00:24:16,855 creases as you lift up just into a nice, 422 00:24:16,855 --> 00:24:19,190 easy Bridge Pose. Nice and easy. 423 00:24:20,759 --> 00:24:22,241 Strong legs here. 424 00:24:22,241 --> 00:24:25,130 Palms are actively pressing into the ground. 425 00:24:25,130 --> 00:24:26,765 We lift the chest to the chin 426 00:24:26,765 --> 00:24:28,767 and then the chin up towards the sky. 427 00:24:31,103 --> 00:24:33,505 Take a deep breath in. 428 00:24:33,505 --> 00:24:35,090 Fill the belly with air. 429 00:24:35,090 --> 00:24:38,143 And then exhale to slowly lower down. 430 00:24:38,143 --> 00:24:40,800 Try to lower down nice and slow and with control. 431 00:24:42,381 --> 00:24:44,383 Sweet, then walk the feet together. 432 00:24:44,383 --> 00:24:46,251 Open the knees wide. 433 00:24:46,251 --> 00:24:49,099 Bring one hand to the heart and one hand to your belly. 434 00:24:50,689 --> 00:24:54,360 Take the deepest breath you've taken all day. 435 00:24:54,360 --> 00:24:55,694 Here we go, big inhale. 436 00:24:57,989 --> 00:25:00,032 Exhale to relax everything. 437 00:25:00,032 --> 00:25:03,435 Truly melt the weight of your body into the earth. 438 00:25:03,435 --> 00:25:06,167 Relax every toe, every finger. 439 00:25:06,905 --> 00:25:09,308 All the joints getting heavy. 440 00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:11,610 All the muscles softening. 441 00:25:12,474 --> 00:25:15,188 And your energetic body 442 00:25:16,778 --> 00:25:19,584 takes a break. 443 00:25:20,184 --> 00:25:21,457 Surrenders. 444 00:25:23,122 --> 00:25:25,561 Part the lips gently. Close your eyes. 445 00:25:28,427 --> 00:25:31,398 Just take one final quiet moment here. 446 00:25:33,699 --> 00:25:36,629 For yourself, with yourself. 447 00:25:56,555 --> 00:25:59,152 And then slowly bring your attention 448 00:26:00,660 --> 00:26:02,458 back to the breath. 449 00:26:03,896 --> 00:26:05,497 Notice the rise and the fall. 450 00:26:08,420 --> 00:26:10,994 And we will end today's practice 451 00:26:13,735 --> 00:26:16,687 by remembering that 452 00:26:16,687 --> 00:26:21,088 whenever we are in doubt 453 00:26:21,088 --> 00:26:25,684 or whenever you feel stuck or tight, 454 00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:29,755 full of tension and in need of relief, 455 00:26:29,755 --> 00:26:32,191 whenever you feel like you're gonna die or you're just not 456 00:26:32,191 --> 00:26:35,912 gonna make it, remember 457 00:26:35,912 --> 00:26:38,780 the breath is always there. 458 00:26:39,605 --> 00:26:43,401 And the breath always comes first. 459 00:26:43,401 --> 00:26:47,106 So if you feel like you're in an endpoint, 460 00:26:47,106 --> 00:26:49,323 start again with the breath. 461 00:26:49,323 --> 00:26:52,313 And on that note, let's bring the palms together. 462 00:26:52,313 --> 00:26:53,976 You can stay here a little bit longer, 463 00:26:53,976 --> 00:26:58,250 as long as you need by pausing the video after this moment. 464 00:26:58,250 --> 00:26:59,584 But we'll bring the palms together, 465 00:26:59,584 --> 00:27:01,107 thumbs up to the third eye. 466 00:27:02,387 --> 00:27:04,523 And just start to smile as you breathe here. 467 00:27:04,523 --> 00:27:06,051 It's all good. 468 00:27:07,426 --> 00:27:11,096 Everything is cyclical and what's important is that you're 469 00:27:11,096 --> 00:27:14,366 taking the time to care for yourself. 470 00:27:14,366 --> 00:27:16,902 Not let that tension just keep building and building 471 00:27:16,902 --> 00:27:19,786 but you're tending to it. 472 00:27:21,139 --> 00:27:22,174 So way to go. 473 00:27:22,174 --> 00:27:24,409 Remember the breath always comes first. 474 00:27:24,409 --> 00:27:25,724 Take a deep breath in. 475 00:27:28,256 --> 00:27:29,950 And a long breath out. 476 00:27:33,387 --> 00:27:35,020 And you can keep the legs where they are. 477 00:27:35,020 --> 00:27:38,290 You can slowly start to bring the knees together. 478 00:27:38,290 --> 00:27:42,394 Walk the feet out as wide as the yoga mat. 479 00:27:42,394 --> 00:27:46,955 Let the knees just fall together and we'll sign off today's 480 00:27:46,955 --> 00:27:50,284 practice by whispering, 481 00:27:50,284 --> 00:27:52,350 Namaste. 482 00:27:53,191 --> 00:27:58,028 (bright music)