This entry was published on February 4, 2025 by Shauna Flash.
There is a good chance that if you read this article, you already know that yoga has healing properties that are good for your body. You probably even know that the quality of stress reduction is obtained during Savasana. Did you know that the incorporation of mindfulness throughout your yoga practice can help you reduce stress in daily life?
We have two sides to the nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic is responsible for modifying us in the event of danger and that the parasympathetic is responsible for calming us. Both are necessary for homeostasis in body and mind, but when the sympathetic is overdrive, it can take over, leaving us out. If we cannot resume parasympathetic, mental, emotional and physical illnesses could be on the horizon.
So how do you incorporate mindfulness throughout your yoga practice? The answer is to allow you to focus on the breath, to listen to the subtle clues of your body and to allow your five senses to be submerged in the present moment. Doing this throughout your yoga practice leads the brain to remember this physical feeling of homeostasis and when problems arise so that you can resume this version.
If you are between yoga practices and want to integrate part of this mindfulness at home for maintenance, here are three poses that you can try.
The first is a tilting butterfly installation with a bra. Bring the case behind the seated bones, then lie down, allowing the arms to fall on the sides, gather the bottom of the feet and let the knees fall on each side. In this posture, breathe through the nose for four counts, then release around five charges. Notice what the air feels when he enters and leaves the nose to each breath.
The second is a child’s installation with a block. Bring the knees to the shores of the matt, the lower feet one towards each other and sit down to your feet. Bring a block under the forehead and with each breathing, leave peace between and each expiration, let the muscles relax. Notice how the air feels on the skin and the block on the forehead.
The third is a cascade with a block or a box. Post on the back, lift the two feet from the floor to the ceiling or against a wall. Slide a case or block under the hips to allow an additional elevation. With each breathing, allow presence and clarity. Notice how the heart feels in the chest while it beats.
Spend as much time in each installation you need so that you can soak in all the goodness that this old healing practice has to offer and do not forget to connect your breath with each installation.
About Shauna Flash
Shauna Flash began teaching yoga in 2020, when the world was on hold. She decided to actively share the online yoga healing gift with her friends and family via Zoom. She is now a yoga professor in various cities in UTAH, helps the training of yoga teachers in the Correctional establishments of the Utah State and organizes yoga pensions. When she does not teach yoga, she likes to write, hike and spend time with her friends and family.