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Teaching Bikram’s again and loving it! Barefoot Bodeez Vinyasa classes also available

January 19, 2017 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Silhouette of a person doing Tree Pose in YogaHi there

It’s been some time but I have been setting up my Barefoot Bodeezart Etsy shop and it’s taken me a while! I now have 75 items in my shop ready as digital downloads which can be printed off as required.  Barefoot Bodeez is not just about yoga – it incorporates all of life and particularly positivity and creativity. I also have some cards and prints of my take on some Jersey icons available locally too.

So why am I teaching group classes of Bikram’s again? Well I am currently only covering classes when required at Carrefour at St Lawrence but it’s fired me up!  I absolutely love teaching Bikram Yoga because it is a challenging class and it encourages you to be more than you think you are and do more than you think you can do.  As my whole life has been about searching for more than the so-called “normal” way of life, Bikram’s has been a huge part of that – mainly because it assisted me in “waking up” to a lot more.  I never stop learning and more importantly applying what I learn.  For example, Bikram once told us “do the postures from the heart” –  a lofty statement I know but 100% effective!  I did not understand what he meant 20 years ago but I do now!  It’s the head that will mess with you but your heart will not.  I consistently experiment with my body and yoga practice (and much more) to try and understand everything I have learnt so far and I as a result I am stronger and more flexible than ever.  I say this only to encourage others as it is what I have changed on the inside that has made all the difference not the amount of my physical practice.  It’s never too late and you are never too old – hmmm I seem to remember that was a famous quote from Bikram himself!  I also find though that when that body starts to really move, energy shifts and it automatically brings in fresh new ideas – hence the manic “art attack!”  

I am also teaching Barefoot Bodeez yoga classes which are Vinyasa based, taking particular attention to alignment, breath and Presence.   There is no heat in these classes.  They are a great alternative if you are not a fan of Bikram Yoga.  You will find them at 9.45 am at Court E at the Jersey Squash and Racketball Club, St Clement’s.  You may check out Barefoot Bodeez website for more details if you’d like to.

Bevx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: General, News Tagged With: Barefoot Bodeez, Barefoot Bodeez Art Etsy shop, bikram choudhury, Bikram Yoga, carrefour health, carrefour st lawrence, creativity, Etsy, positivity, teaching yoga, Tree Pose, yoga classes

The Simply Divine Way to Create Your Ideal Body – new Ebook available on Amazon

June 9, 2016 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Image of The Simply Divine Way to Create Your Ideal Body Ebook Cover

Hi everyone

Well at last I decided to put my ebook on Amazon. I started writing it several years ago and as my awarenesses kept on coming, my book kept on changing! Having facilitated yoga and some very interesting body workshops in several countries around the world it has been proved to me many, many times that what a person thought about or expected their body to be has far more effect on it that anything from the “outer”. I have also experimented with my own body for many years and had some amazing revelations.

This book includes some of them and I hope to inspire anyone who has had disappointment when their exercise or diet intentions didn’t work out quite the way they had hoped!

There is another way!

By the way this book is not only about toning up etc – it is also how I turned my Bikram Yoga Class experience from “hard” to actually what I can honestly call “bliss”.

Yes it is possible – tried and tested or I wouldn’t write it!

Click here to buy from Amazon.co.uk – only (equivalent of )$2.99!

Click here to buy from Amazon.com – only$2.99!

I continue to learn about myself and my body in every yoga class I teach and practice. It’s an ongoing and never ending journey that I love. I hope it will inspire you to create your ideal body in a much easier and simpler way!

Namaste!

Filed Under: General, News Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, diet, Divine, exercise, Higher Self, hot yoga, I AM Presence, nutrition, Yoga

Posture #10 – Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee

July 20, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

So now that we have mastered the Master Posture (the Triangle) and its “opening” abilities we will proceed to do the opposite and effect a compression posture.  It is this opening and then ,compressing that brings the body back into balance.  This posture is in fact a mix of the Balancing Stick and Rabbit posture.

Standing separate leg head to knee pose

Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Posture

This posture looks simple enough – it is a very common posture that I personally used to practice many moons ago with my normal hatha yoga practice – isn’t it? Well, not quite!  In the Bikram series there is a “minor” adjustment which is making sure the forehead touches the knee ensuring that the internal organs get the proper compression.  In many other forms of yoga this posture is used more as a stretch as the head is allowed to go further down the leg.  That is still a great posture but has a different effect on the body.

To start, bring your arms up over the head and keeping your palms together cross the thumbs to keep them in place.   As usual, stretch up to the ceiling and keep your elbows locked.  The head stays glued in between the arms just like you do in Half Moon and other postures.  That is the great thing about Bikram Yoga –  the style of the postures is consistent and therefore once you get the hang of it, it all becomes second nature!

This time take a 3 foot step to the right so you end up with a slightly narrower stance than the last two postures.  Turning the right foot to the right, you twist the hips a few times as necessary to make sure the hips are “square on” and you are facing the side wall directly.  Make sure your heels are in the same line.  The back foot should be flat on the floor and turned to a 45 degree angle as this stimulates the kidneys.

Now the arms and head have to go down together so you need to exhale to do that.  With the chin tucked right down to the chest this will work on your thyroid and parathyroid glands i.e. your metabolism.  Where your eyes go your body goes so as the intention of this posture is to  compress your inner organs you need to look up at your stomach and place the forehead on the knee or even higher (if your really game) but definitely not below the knee.  Touching the forehead with straight legs can be a challenge for a lot of people so keep your leg straight as you go down and then you can bend the front knee or make a wider stance if necessary to enable that bit of ingenuity!  The pressure on the forehead is the main point of this posture and can be achieved even if you have to bend your front knee “big time” to do it so even first timers can get maximum 100% efficiency in the posture.   As with all yoga the point of the posture is what it is doing for your body whilst in the posture not the appearance of it even though that will improve as the body gets used to the positions you put it in!

Once you’ve got that forehead to the knee it’s time to start sliding your fingers forward away from the toes so that your elbows lock and the wrists are straight.  Then by pushing your hands against the floor you can try and get your knee locked with your “smiling happy face” as Bikram would say!  Exhale as you suck your stomach in.  Now this does not feel comfortable sometimes as the throat feels like it is choking but your breathing is “normal” meaning you don’t hold the breath.  Bring maximum weight on to the front leg and stick that hip up towards the ceiling as you will find this one likes to slip below the other one and you need to have both hips level so you get maximum compression.   The last adjustment is to lock the knee a couple of times very quickly before inhaling with full lungs and gently coming back up keeping your arms and head together.  Stop in the middle before rinsing and repeating on the other side.

To finish bring your arms down and bring the feet together – ahh bliss!

Summary of the main points:

  • Arms and head together with the palms glued together
  • Step 3 feet with the right foot
  • Keep the heels in the same line
  • Back foot should be flat on the floor i.e. even the heel and turned to a 45 degree angle
  • Twist your hips about 5 times until they are “square on” the side wall
  • Exhale and suck the stomach in
  • Place your forehead on the knee even if you have to bend the knee to get it there
  • Eyes open look up to the stomach to give greater compression
  • Lock your elbows, wrists straight as you slide the baby fingers away from the toes
  • Lift your front leg hip up to the ceiling to give the correct compression
  • Try and lock the front knee just before the end if not already locked

Summary of main benefits:

  • Marriage between the pancreas and kidneys, thyroid and pituitary glands
  • Extension of the oblongata and medulla – good for eyesight
  • Opening the throat and crown chakras – alleviates depression
  • Good for the digestive and endocrine systems, metabolism, body chemistry, immune system.
  • Compression of the pancreas, extension of the kidneys.
  • Slims and tightens abdomen, waist, hip, buttocks and upper thighs.
  • Tones arms when your arms are locked

See you next posture!

Bevx

Filed Under: General, News, Posture tips Tagged With: balancing stick posture, Bikram Yoga, depression, eyesight, postures, rabbit posture, slimming and toning, standing postures, standing separate leg head to knee

Posture #9 – Triangle

July 1, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Bikram Yoga Triangle PoseSo now we get to the  Triangle Posture which is often known as the Master Posture in the Bikram Yoga Series.  This powerful posture works every muscle, joint, organ, tendon, ligament, and major gland of your body!  It is towards the end of the Standing Series and everything you have done up to now has prepared you for it.

It’s an “opening” posture – it’s going to open up the chest and of course the hips and other major joints.  I always think of it as a “heaven and earth” posture as your top half should be reaching for the stars while from the hips down you should be glued to the floor.

I always believe if you set your posture up before you start you will find a lot more strength and energy available to you and soon it will just feel “right”.  So here goes:

How to get the best out of the Triangle

This is a bigggg posture so you need to take a bigggg step to the right – at least 4 feet minimum while your arms raise over your head.  Now to balance that bring your arms down parallel to the floor.  This will open up the chest and give you more “puff” to hold the posture!  The stronger you can hold your arms the better or course and as always fingers and thumbs together and palms are down.  The added benefit to this is super toned arms as a result!

Focus in the mirror as this always gives you much more strength and before moving anything else open the hips up by pushing them forward and lean your upper body back (opens the chest).  From there turn your right foot all the way to the right.  Bikram always used to tell us to turn it “1/2 inch more” to make sure it is exactly parallel to the mirror or  wall  in front of you.  The heels should also be in one line as if you could draw a straight pencil line behind them.  These seemingly minute details will assist greatly with your alignment.  I’m a bit of a stickler for alignment as a sloppy set up completely messes with the integrity of the posture and is just plain uncomfortable for the student!  Once that “muscle memory” is there it will be easier from then on so it is really worth the work at the beginning.

Bending the knee is next (while your spine is straight) and trying to get the leg in that famous “upside down L shape” is the next challenge – again the posture will feel easier quicker if you can give attention to that.  The ankle and knee should be in line with each other to prevent any stress on the knee.  This is also where you try and keep those pesky hips down as they have a sneaky tendency to try and rise up at this point.

Keeping your hips forward and arms and body back so your chest is open and the spine is straight like a candle down the centre, inhale and as if a broom handle move both arms at the same time.  The right hand fingers should be placed between the big toe and second toe – the elbow being a the same level as the knee, taking care not to put any pressure or weight on the toes or the floor.  The weight should be on the bent leg instead.

Now it’s time for a bit of star gazing and eventually your chin will touch your shoulder.  At one time my chin was way off the shoulder – I could not understand how it would ever get there until one day it just did!  Sometimes the shifts can be very sudden so stay open to that possibility even if it seems a long way off today.

Taking a deep breath keep reaching for the moon and rolling the left hip forward push the other knee back with your elbow.   This ensures the joints are opening up and the alignment is kept.  Touch the toes!  The last part is a mini spine twist as you stretch up to the ceiling.

Ditto on the other side……

I know this posture sounds near on impossible but I have seen new students make incredibly fast progress if the set up is correct from the start.  Progress is made by “muscle memory” so may as well get that memory happening early on in the piece.   It truly amazes me every class and it is so rewarding to see.

Summary of the main points:

  • Step wide – at least 4 feet
  • Strong arms and open the chest as much as possible
  • Hips forward before turning the foot to the side
  • Try to keep the heels in one line and the foot turned “1/2 inch more” as detailed above
  • Bend the knee and aim for an upside down L shape
  • Take care that the knee is in line with the ankle
  • Try to move both arms at the same time as if they were a broom handle
  • Stretch up, stretch down – fingers between the big toe and second toe and the elbow in line with the knee
  • Try to keep the hips open and the bent knee back a little (without strain of course)
  • Touch the toes but with no weight on the toes or the floor
  • The spine twisting part at the end will ensure you reach for the stars!

The Benefits of Triangle pose

  • Works every muscle, organ, tendon, ligament, joint and major gland of the body – wow!
  • Strengthens and tones just about everything!
  • Opens up the chest
  • Great for posture
  • Tones the arms
  • Of course it works the spine – especially helpful for assisting with crooked spines and lumbago

Bevx

Filed Under: News, Posture tips Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, strengthening, toning, triangle pose, warrior pose

The Standing Series – Bikram Yoga

July 1, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

The first part of class is the Standing Series and starts off with Pranayama Breathing – probably the most important “posture” of all.  Deep breathing will detox and revitalise the body in preparation for the practice of the following 25 postures.

The standing postures are designed to increase strength and flexibility and bring about a balance between the two.   If you are very flexible you may struggle more with the strength side of things and vice versa – great strength can compromise flexibility.   Strength can be seen as the masculine trait and flexibility can be seen as the feminine trait – whether you are male or female – the body is better off with a balance of both – go “Androgynous”!!!

The Balancing Series – i.e. Standing Head to Knee, Standing Bow Pulling Pose and Balancing Stick are all great postures to train the mind and body to work together and bring about that balance – a balance in the body created by a balance of the body and mind.

Each posture is specifically placed in an order to work the body systematically. For example an “opening posture” such as Triangle (sometimes known as the “Master Posture of the Series”) is followed by a compression posture – Standing Separate Leg Stretching – followed by another opener – Tree and so it goes on.  There’s a reason for everything.

At the end of the Standing Series there is a lovely 2 minute Savasana which I can guarantee will be well earnt and feels simply amazing!

Enjoy!

Beverley

 

 

Filed Under: Athletes and Sport, General, Newbies and nearly newbies, News Tagged With: balance, Bikram Yoga, flexibility, standing series

Good lesson learnt – more water!

June 17, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Hello there

Well I’ve always said I learn from every class I practise and definitely every class I teach!

In the early days I did not use to drink as much water as I should as I was always worried that I would need to go to the loo mid class!  Then when it was really drilled into me that I should be drinking a lot more water than I had been, I started upping my intake.  What I found was my strength and practice was like night and day (it was almost like a totally different experience) and I was amazed at how such a simple thing could shift how much stronger and more capable I felt.

The other day I went to class and realised very early on in the piece that I did not feel as strong in the postures.   Then it dawned on me that not only had I eaten something salty for lunch I had not drunk very much water after that.  The difference in my practice was almost tangible so I thought I would reiterate it here how important it is to drink water throughout the day.   It really is necessary and definitely helps so much with your determination, concentration and focus which is such a part of this dynamic Bikram Yoga System.

Bevx

 

 

Filed Under: General, Newbies and nearly newbies Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, concentration, determination, focus, newbies, student, sweat, sweating, water

Bikram Yoga – what’s all the fuss about?

June 14, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Here is an article adapted from one of my earliest that I wrote on Bikram Yoga when it was virtually unknown in Europe:

Beverley Brown doing yoga

Bikram Yoga is reputed to be “THE most challenging, dynamic, effective, and hardworking yoga system” – a tall statement indeed – so how does it live up to this?

I must admit when I first started practicing Bikram Yoga many moons ago it was purely for vanity reasons – my body shaped up so quickly I thought I had found the perfect exercise. In those days that was all I was interested in I’m embarrassed to say. Although it appears to be more physically based, having practiced hatha yoga for over 40 years I must say the benefits are far more reaching.

So what makes Bikram Yoga so different?

Firstly, it is a scientifically designed system founded by one of the yoga world’s most famous gurus – Bikram Choudhury. Each 90 minute class consists of the same 26 postures designed to work out every single part of the body, both inside and out and much more. The pace is fairly fast compared to most other yoga classes and there is no meditation time. Bikram declares when you are truly concentrating on your practice, THAT in itself is the equivalent to a meditation – a moving, open eyed meditation. Certainly, you don’t have chance to think about anything else when you learn to be fully IN THE MOMENT.

Whilst the gyms and aerobic classes turn on the air conditioning Bikram teachers are doing the opposite – they are turning the heat up! There is method to this madness – warmed muscles are much less likely to suffer injury, toxins are released very quickly, the body rejuvenates, tones and shapes up at a much faster level. The challenge of working out in heat also trains the mind to detach from the environment which can be very useful in our daily lives. There are also many other benefits but the length of this article prevents me from giving too much detail.

Instruction of the postures is very exact by way of a continual dialogue and aims to motivate and correctly align the student preventing bad habits from occurring. It is this precision that I believe sets Bikram yoga apart from any other hatha yoga that I have practiced.

Repetition is the Mother of Success

You may have heard the saying “Repetition is the mother of success” and this is a perfect example. By hearing the same instructions class after class the mind starts to understand the postures and then the body begins to be able to perform them. As Bikram says, your body is capable of much more than your mind lets it do.

Progress can therefore be extremely fast and in my experience after a few classes even total beginners can look as if they have been practicing yoga for years. It is so rewarding to encourage people and see them surpass their own expectations in a relatively short period of time. There is no competition in class as everyone simply performs the postures to their own ability.

Another thing that makes Bikram Yoga unique is that it attracts people from all walks of life. From athletes to city workers, from spiritual adepts to the body conscious – everyone gets what they need out of their practice. Even a few confirmed couch potatoes have been converted!

Contrary to popular opinion, sport can actually wear out the body tissues but this can be counteracted by additionally practicing yoga as it actually rebuilds the body by encouraging new cell growth and is ideal for stretching out. It can also give a leading edge in competition sports with increased concentration, determination, as well as the necessary strength and flexibility. Removal of toxins and the thorough cleansing of the emotional and mental bodies helps to eliminates stress and provide clarity and peace of mind. For myself, after class the feeling of a clear body and well-being is second to none.

Bikram is very definite in his belief that the way to the spiritual is through the physical. Consequently every posture works the spine in some way and by the end of each class the spine has moved in every direction encouraging the free flow of Universal energy with which we are continually provided every moment of our lives. On a physical level this energy basically keeps us alive by feeding our energy centres known as chakras. These in turn direct the energy to the internal organs for their proper functioning via the endocrine glands. If the energy gets blocked along the way, ageing, stiffness, disease and illness result. Again this subject is enormous but for the purposes of this article it is sufficient to say that the free flow of this powerful energy keeps the body and mind healthy and helps prevent problems.

You may have guessed I love this subject and I have continued studying the body for many years and from a number of different angles. I am qualified in many energy based therapies including various types of massage but my first love is teaching yoga and how our consciousness has an immediate effect on the body.

Bevx

Filed Under: Athletes and Sport, General, Newbies and nearly newbies Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, Bikram Yoga dialogue, postures, work out, workout

What’s in a Bikram Yoga Class?

June 7, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

A Bikram Yoga class is quite a different experience from what a lot of people may expect from a yoga class and there are reasons for this of course.  There’s no OMMING, no chanting, no time for meditation and definitely no navel gazing!

Instead the comparatively fast paced 90 minute class concentrates on working every bone, limb, organ, muscle, ligament, fibre and even cell of your body – inside and out – bones to skin and fingers to toes!  It is very physical and it therefore demands concentration, determination and focus of the mind.  It is when the mind and body are working together instead of two separate entities that the magic can begin!

26 Postures to include 2 Breathing ones

There are 26 postures that except for a few are performed twice in the same order each time.  They therefore systematically and synergistically work each part of the body to bring maximum function to all the internal organs, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles – you name it – nothing gets left out!

Bikram Choudhury doing Head to Knee with Stretching PoseYoga rebuilds the body from the inside out and with Bikram Yoga the postures are performed in a heated room to speed up this process.  Waste products and toxins of all the glands and organs of the body are flushed away and old cells are sloughed off quicker as the body is cleansed at a cellular level.

Beginner’s Class – challenging but not advanced

The postures are challenging but not advanced in any way – the 90 minute class is actually the Beginner’s Class and everyone practices the postures to the best of their ability.  Everyone’s body is different and some postures that seem easy for some will be more challenging for others and vice versa.  Each person will have their own goal and accomplishment and that is all that matters.  The standing postures train the mind, and encourage a balance of both strength and flexibility.  The floor postures work the insides of the body – and ensures correct functioning of the organs and glands.  When the insides are working efficiently the outside can take shape.

 After class – bliss!

I have to say there is nothing quite like it on the planet and the feeling after class is second to none. No matter how hard your day was or how stressed you felt before you went to class – guaranteed it’s all forgotten as you float out of class!

Bevx

Filed Under: Athletes and Sport, General, Newbies and nearly newbies, News Tagged With: 26 postures, Bikram Class, Bikram Yoga, bliss, breathing postures, navel gazing, OM

Why Bikram Yoga is so Effective on the Body

May 30, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Bikram Choudhury doing Bow Pulling PoseIf you have ever taken a Bikram Yoga class anywhere in the world you will notice that the teacher seems to a have a problem with verbal diarrhoea!  I had to laugh when a student (who is now an amazing teacher) likened it to a “rap” when he attended his first class with me!  Yes I agree when you are not used to it it can seem a bit intrusive but after this post you may think a bit differently.

There is a reason for everything in Bikram Yoga – e.g. the heat, the order of postures, the timing and definitely the detail and that is probably why it is the most comprehensive series of postures that work every inch of you – inside and out – from bones to skin – from the fingers to the toes – to quote the Founder himself!

Every posture comes with a detailed set of instructions.  Why is that so?  Partly to ensure the correct timing (those last few seconds are the most effective) but also because we can get very “creative” in adapting postures to suit ourselves and thereby avoiding the whole point of the posture!  I know I was guilty of this for years, like Eagle Pose for example, being told to suck in my stomach at the same time as twist myself into a pretzel was going a bit too far I thought!  Come on Bikram – really???  Yes really!

Awkward Pose – the same thing – when your legs feel like jelly and then you have to make sure your stance is an exact “H” not even a slight hint of a “V” in there – oh PLEEASSSEE!  (Don’t worry if you have never done Bikram Yoga before and you think I’m talking gobbeldy gook – come to class and all will be revealed!)

I found out many years later how incredible each line of the dialogue really is and that is why I decided to teach this yoga again.  I took a break for a while and concentrated more on shifting the limitations of my mind / consciousness, and then when Bikram Yoga “came” to me again I was able to see everything with a fresh perspective and definitely new awareness and understanding of the postures.  I was amazed that much of the information that I had learnt and the awarenesses that I had gained in later years from many, many other body/mind modalities (I was a workshop junkie!) was actually already included in this series of postures and I was inspired once again.

I truly believe the detail, the timing, the order and the precision of the postures is one of the biggest gifts of Bikram Yoga.  I have taught this Yoga to many students over the years in various places around the world and I see first hand the difference that the Bikram detail (once applied) makes in anyone’s yoga practice and body and it is simply amazing.

Of course I understand if you have some bodily or physical challenges there may be much you cannot do and that is OK!  Just do the postures to the best of your ability in that moment (and never forget that things can change in any moment too – never limit yourself with your thoughts).  Concentrate on what you can do and do not judge yourself for what you can’t do right now and you will still get 100% benefit.  That is why anyone can do Bikram Yoga.

Even if you have practiced for many years and are proficient in the postures, make the effort to “re-hear” the instruction and see for yourself how many “short cuts” you take in your practice – as I said – we can get very “creative”!

There are gems hidden in the detail I can assure you.

Bevx

Filed Under: Athletes and Sport, General, Newbies and nearly newbies, Posture tips Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, Bikram Yoga dialogue, dialogue, Heat, posture tips, postures, precision, verbal instruction

Posture # 8 – Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose

May 22, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

Up to Number 8 already?  Here goes…

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this posture – I find it very relaxing hanging upside down and feeling the insides of my legs toning as I do it!  Of course you don’t just hang there for the whole posture – this is Bikram Yoga after all! Here is the process:

Preparation for Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose

From the feet together position bring the arms up over the head and take a big step to the right with your right leg – at least 4 feet.  The wider you go the easier it is and it will tone up those inner thighs a treat while you’re at it!  The feet should be pigeon-toed unless you have sciatica when it is best for them to face straight ahead.  Correct alignment always helps with the posture so make sure your heels are in one line – as if you could draw a straight pencil line behind them.  I know it sounds a bit fussy but it truly is worth it as you will improve much faster in the postures if you take care of the details.  At the same time bring your arms down so they are parallel to the floor.  Nothing floppy about those arms – you need them tight and firm keeping your fingers and thumbs together.

Going down….

Suck the stomach in (makes you so much stronger, gives you great tone and feels fab too) and slowly bend down from the lower spine towards the floor.  Now the head stays up, with the chin forward so you can see yourself in the mirror for as long as possible.  The knees should be locked (it is Bikram Yoga after all!).  Grab your heels with the usual Bikram grip –  meaning thumbs and fingers together – no air holes!  If you can’t reach the heels grab the outsides of the feet.

Now we get to the Bikram technique – not just hanging there but using your arm and back muscles to pull on the heels as hard as possible to stretch your body down further to the floor.  Keep the knees locked throughout the posture and roll the body weight onto the toes.  The aim is to touch your forehead to the floor.  Of course you may be quite a way off so in that case you should widen your feet as much as possible which will automatically bring the head down lower.

This is not a passive posture so once you are in position you keep pulling continuously, eventually the spine will straighten from the coccyx to the neck and your forehead (not the top of the head) will touch the floor between the feet. Simples! ( I jest!)

This posture will first stretch the legs, then the hips, then the lower spine and eventually the whole spine will get a workout and you should feel a stretch from the coccyx to the toes, and coccyx to the forehead.  

If your head is nowhere near the floor in the first set, make your stance wider for the second set.  If you are pretty flexible and your head touches the floor – bring the legs in a bit to make it more of a challenge – if you like that sort of thing of course!

If your legs are locked you can even try bringing your forearms in a bit so they touch the calf muscles.  This will really give you great arms too!

Just a quick tip that helped me – I used to struggle and strain in this posture until one teacher told me to just RELAX into it first and let the weight of my head pull me down and then “give it some welly” once in that position by using the arm and back muscles to pull the body down lower to stretch the spine more.

Summary of the main points of Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose:

  •  Step to the side as wide as you can
  • Keep the knees locked throughout the posture
  • Keep the head up, chin forward and look in the mirror as long as possible
  • Suck the stomach in to the spine
  • Grab the feet as instructed – you need the leverage
  • Don’t just hang there – pull on the heels to stretch the spine more
  • Aim for forehead to the floor in between the feet
  • Roll the weight on to the toes
  • Once more advanced and with locked knees bring the forearms back so they touch the calves

The benefits of  Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose:

  • Tones the legs and hips – especially the often fleshy inner thighs!
  • Tones the arm and back muscles – great definition!
  • Brings blood to the head and face
  • Pulled in stomach will ensure all the organs are in place

Enjoy

Beverley x

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Bikram Yoga, inner thighs, spine, Standing separate leg stretching pose, standing series, thighs, Yoga

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Yoga leggings, other leggings and capris are now available in the shop

image of surf's up yoga leggings
Over 80 different Yoga Leggings designs are now available in several sizes. They can also be purchased in a plainer style in both long and capri lengths. These can be used for yoga and also as a welcome addition to any wardrobe! Click here to go to the shop and browse the many designs available.

Basic information for first timers

Welcome to Bikram Yoga!
If you have never attended a Bikram class before there may be a few things that you need to know. Bring a mat and a towel to put on top of it. If you wish to shower on site you will need another towel for that. Make sure you drink lots of water throughout the day as you will sweat. Also do not eat anything for about 3 hours before class. Wear something you can stretch in and nothing too baggy or it will feel hotter. We don't drink water until after Eagle Pose - not too long to wait and remember you can drink before class starts! Take it easy on your first class - just get used to the heat and the environment. Smile and come back next time!

Recent Posts

  • Yoga Planners and Journals
  • Teaching Bikram’s again and loving it! Barefoot Bodeez Vinyasa classes also available
  • The Simply Divine Way to Create Your Ideal Body – new Ebook available on Amazon
  • Posture #10 – Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee
  • Posture #9 – Triangle

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Yoga Leggings and Capris are available in my online shop

image of surf's up yoga leggings
Over 80 different Yoga Leggings designs are now available in several sizes. They can also be purchased in a plainer style in both long and capri lengths. These can be used for yoga and also as a welcome addition to any wardrobe! Click here to go to the shop and browse the many designs available.

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