From Yogini's desk: Babies and Big toes

I am planning a friend’s baby shower. Thinking about shower ideas and games, I started going through my childhood photographs. I noticed a photograph of mine showing me put my big toe in my mouth “effortlessly”. So I thought to give it a try. I lay down and tried bringing my foot towards my head but stopped short. My inner thigh felt a little tug. Ouch!!! That hurt!! Well, that didn’t go too well. And I wondered, “Why is that?”

And then the inner me said,” Ahm... You haven’t been yoga -ing in a long time”

Well, fine… Let’s try to accomplish that task today. Not literally putting our big, nasty, smelly toes in our mouth but let’s try to open up our hips and yes I said, open up our hips and try to stretch our legs and those joints a little bit.

Start with your “Om” Chant as described before to get warmed up.

Now stand in the “Tadasana” - Mountain Pose.
Follow it up with the “Virabhadrasana” -Warrior pose.

You can follow the link below for step to step instructions. (A very cool web site!!!)

http://yogasite.com/postures.html

or you can try the one recommended by our very own BFG.

http://www.yogajournal.com/

And now Relax!!

Lie down flat on your mat. Hold onto your big toes with your index finger and your middle finger forming a peace sign. Rock gently from left to right 2-3 times and just relax. Release your feet and lie down flat with palms facing down sideways on the mat. Breathe normally.

Repeat this process in sets of 5-6, 2-3 non-consecutive days a week.

Were you able to bring your toe to your mouth yet? Don’t fret. Me neither. We’ll just keep trying.
We’ll show those babies we can do it too!!! Oh…. And by the way, I got a cool idea from all this. I will have the attendees at the baby shower share their baby pictures of doing something “crazy” which they can’t do today. And I won’t be showing mine with my toe. (At least I’ll try).


Some great music for yoga-
I personally like the “Rhythms of peace” but there are a lot of choices below. Just Pick and choose.

http://www.yoga.com/store/Subcategory.asp?Category_ID=321


Namaste !!! (Indian greeting)
Meaning- The light in me acknowledges the light in you.