yoga pose - water exercise
Life-Giving, Calming
Water is vital, soothing and rejuvenating to our bodies and senses, and it’s the flow of water that inspires the easy, smooth flow of yoga practice. While doing yoga near a body of water can be very nourishing for the soul — its relaxing sounds, the cooling, calming energy it exudes — you don’t need to be near water to experience its effects. You can focus on the qualities of water and think of your own breath as flowing in and out of you like the tides, refreshing and nurturing every cell.
Water Exercise
This exercise is inspired by tai chi and includes both fluid movement and balance while standing in place.
1. Stand with heels together, toes apart.
2. Keeping your knees soft, rock back and forth to find perfect center balance.
3. With hands together in prayer position, reach up over your head through the air. Open your arms as if you’re doing a breaststroke, and push the air away as if it were water. Sweep your arms out and down, returning them to your sides. Inhale as you swim “out,” rise up on your toes, and exhale as you gently bring your hands back and lower onto your feet.
4. Repeat the motions at least 10 times, gradually working up to 20.
To Experience Water
Practice near a body of water — the ocean, a lake, or a swimming pool. Find a waterfall or fountain. Try practicing in the morning or evening to feel and see the dew on the grass and leaves. Practice meditation.
adapted from Wholeliving Nagazine, July/August 2005 by Terri Trespicio
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