Aspen Yoga Studio - Long Posture Holds

When I first began doing yoga in 1987 at age 26 I was barely aware of breathing or how to breathe properly.  All I could really focus on was how uncomfortable I was in any, if not all yoga postures.  Truth is I could barely wait to get out of a posture and head for the door.

That was 23 years ago.  Now, I just want to stay in the posture and breathe!  (Give me just a little more time).

Many modern styles of yoga, especially Ashtanga, Power, Vinyasa and Flow Yoga hold postures for 5 breaths.  But, as you get older (at least chronologically), you need to stay in postures longer than 5 breaths to connect all lines of energy and bring the pose fully alive.

Personally, I like to be in a pose for at least ten breaths or longer before moving to the next.  However it's not really about a specific breath count as it is for moving energy, listening to your body, getting grounded an enlivening every cell.

You can hold a pose for several minutes as long as you are consciously scanning your body and breathing life, space and energy into it.

On your exhale you draw your low belly in deepening your awareness of your pelvic muscles and ligaments.  At the same time you subtly draw all muscles to bones for blood supply and support of your structure.

Maintain the support of your skeletal structure and inhale breathe energy through the merged muscles, bones and ligaments.  If you are at your edge (the point on the edge of feeling disconnected and whole, where you can't go deeper or further without disconnection and struggle) stay there and breathe space into the tight spots until they open up and let go.

You'll have worked your energy lines to connected and flowing.  Your muscles and bones will be merged and working in harmony, no straining or tweaking.

Now you're ready to relax in Svasana, you've earned it!

To help assist and create a home practice get my Step by Step Yoga Cd's