Fall is the season of the lungs. Chloe Kernaghan from Sky Ting Yoga offered to teach us a few easy moves to keep us breathing right.
The transition in weather can lead to weak or imbalanced lungs (hence seasonal colds and flus), so with our practice -- we want to try and optimize lung health. Use these variations to stretch open the lung space, and support your immune system. -- Chloe Kernaghan
Camel Pose Sequence
Stand on knees and shins, set up hips distance apart. Bring your hands to a prayer in front of the chest, and begin to lengthen the waist while rooting the shins and feet to the floor. Lift the center of the chest up to the prayer. Next, place your hands on your low back, hug the elbows straight back, and begin to lift the center of the chest towards the ceiling. For a fuller variation, reach your hands for the heels of the feet, allowing the spine to fully arc. Stay for a few breaths, then bring yourself back up to center.
Side Plank Sequence
From a regular plank, zip the legs together and transition onto the outer seam of one foot, other leg stacks on top. Weight shifts to one hand, other arm extends up to the ceiling. Float your top leg up about 5 inches, still charged and strong. Top arm can extend over the ear -- reach through your fingertips! Then step the top foot behind you, and lift your hips up to the ceiling. Top arm reaches overhead as you backbend.
Vinyasa Flow
Begin in Downward Facing Dog -- hands shoulder distance apart, feet hips distance apart. Hips lift up and back, think inverted V shape. Transition forward to plank pose, keep the legs charged. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, keeping the chest open and gaze forward. Move into Upward Facing Dog: straighten the arms as your chest lifts, roll over the top of the feet, keeping knees and thighs off the ground. Gaze extends up.
Find your flow in our leggings and sports bras -- designed to support you from the mat to the street.