A Leg Up
Give your heart and blood circulation a leg up and rest your legs up against a wall or on a chair.
The Basic Practice - legs up the wall
respect your limits, modify where needed
CAUTION: If you have glaucoma (eye issues), serious back or neck problems, and/or menstruating, you are best to avoid this posture or consult a doctor.
posture set-up
This is a restorative posture. Pick a set up that is most comfortable for you.
pick your place to lie down:
floor
couch
bed
pick your leg support:
wall
chair
pillows
optional: place a blanket under the hips
legs up the wall
lie down
ideally there is no support under the head
swing the legs up onto the wall, chair or pillows
have your bottom at a distance that works for you
place arms and hands in a comfortable position for you
stay here for 1, 5, 10 or 20 minutes
come out of the pose if you are feeling uncomfortable or tingling in the feet
encourage relaxation by . . .
letting weight of legs release toward the hips
relaxing the belly, let it sink down into the spine
feeling your spine long with its natural curves
allowing shoulders to melt downwards
softing the face . . . smile, laugh, chill
Explore the Movement - healing hands
Our hands are healing - think of a mother’s healing touch. Place your hands where they bring you comfort and relaxation. Some options are:
place them on your belly
cover your eyes to help relax them and release tension
we carry a lot of tension in our eyes
Yoga Practice
This pose is an inversion and the above variations are restorative. Restorative poses are meant to be held a little longer than a few breaths. Holding this pose at least five minutes gives the body time to move the blood and fluids stored in the legs and put them back into circulation.
Generally the restorative legs up the wall is used at the end of a practice or can be on its own.
Everyday Living
If you stand on your legs a lot, had a big work out, or want to improve blood circulation in your legs, put those legs up a wall or chair.
Discover Amazing
Our body’s heart and blood circulation system is amazing. It is estimated that if you join all the blood vessels in your body they would equal the same distance as circling the earth twice. Now imagine that your heart pumps blood to circulate throughout your entire body in about 20 seconds!1 2 Our bodies are amazing. We are amazing!
Namaste
(the Light in me honors the Light in you)
keep moving; keep healthy movement is our birthright walk, run, dance, leap, hop, squat live with a smile, be a big kid be in AWE of YOU
You are invited - Summer Fun Yoga Class:
Discover amazing treasures in the Archive:
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Disclaimer: Be safe, know your limits and move wisely without causing harm to yourself. Information provided in this newsletter is for you to explore and discover how your body works. It is not to diagnose any medical condition. Please consult with a physician or physiotherapist if you have concerns.
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/06/22/how-long-does-it-take-blood-to-circulate-through-your-vascular-system/
Photo taken from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21775-circulatory-system