Slide into 2023!
With core strength and overflowing exuberance.
The Basic Practice - toboggan boat pose
posture set-up:
come to sit on your sled or as we say in Canada “toboggan”1
no toboggan? pretend and come to the floor
respect your limits, modify where needed
try pose in a chair if coming to the floor does not work for you
be cautious if there are tailbone issues, perhaps use a cushion
if lower back issues, keep with bent legs
bend your knees; feet flat or flexed
sit up tall; feel broad across the collarbones
lean back slightly
place hands behind you, fingers pointing towards your bottom
toboggan boat pose:
build your mastery and respect your limits:
hold each step for 6 steady breaths before proceeding
keep your core active (engaged)
keep chest lifted, draw shoulder blades toward one another
on the exhale, lift one bent leg; repeat with other leg
on the exhale, lift both bent legs together
on the exhale, extend out both arms parallel to ground with lifted bent legs
on the exhale, extend out both arms with lifted legs extended, stay strong 💪
Explore the Movement - go for a ride
Yoga Practice
Boat Pose (navasana) is a great pose to develop your overall stamina and core. Unless you have pain, the yoga books encourage you to challenge yourself to hold the pose a little longer with each practice.
The pose is beneficial for a number of abdominal and back conditions, including sciatica, lumbago, colitis, constipation, irregular menstrual cycle and lethargy.2 That being said, use caution if you have a medical condition - proceed slowly and without pain, and consult a professional. Remember the purpose of a yoga practice is help one heal and not cause further injuries.
Discover Amazing & Everyday Living
The snowfall this winter in Edmonton, Canada has been abundant. Our toboggan has been hanging in the garage unused for far too many years. Inspiration struck! I don’t need young children to go tobogganing. It was amazing to feel the thrill of sledding down the hill again after so many years! Simple joys.
Namaste
(the Light in me honors the Light in you)
Thanks to Stefan Ritter for his wonderful photos on the sledding hill!
Discover amazing treasures in the Archive:
Thanks for reading Explore Movement & Discover Amazing YOU! If not already a subscriber, subscribe now for free to receive new posts and support my work.
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.
‘toboggan’ comes from the early 19th century French Canadian word tabaganne, from Micmac topaĝan ‘sled’ (New Oxford American Dictionary)
Mukunda Stiles, Structural Yoga Therapy, page 229