#EveryBodyYoga Day 17 - Chair Pose

Day Seventeen of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

 
{Chair Pose}

Chair Pose strengthens your thighs and ankles while toning the shoulders, butt, hips, and back. One thing I really love about this simple pose is that it helps to tone your digestive organs and heart, this makes for a super healthy body. Plus practicing Chair Pose builds endurance and stamina, while toning the nervous system. If you don't already practice this pose daily, I highly recommend it!

  This is another pretty self explanatory pose, but here's a few pointers: Big toes together,  Bend at the knees, engage lower abdominal muscles and allow your tailbone to lengthen toward the ground. Arms extend overhead. This pose is essentially a squat, so it will probably feel familiar.
Enjoy the stretch!

Namaste.Do you want to be a part of the #EveryBodyYoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

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#EveryBodyYoga Day 16 - Dancer Pose

Day Sixteen of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

{Dancer Pose}

#EveryBodyYoga Day 15 - Extended Side Angle Pose

Day Fifteen of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Extended Side Angle

Extended Side Angle Pose relieves stiffness in your shoulders and back, while providing a deep stretch to the groin and hamstrings - an all over feel-good stretch. Get ready to strengthen your legs, knees, and ankles, while also stretching and toning the abdominal muscles. It is also known to be therapeutic for constipation, infertility, sciatica, menstrual discomfort, and lower backache. Several reasons to practice this pose, even when you aren't feeling 100%... Happy Monday, everyone!

#EverybodyYoga Day 14 - Warrior II

Day Fourteen of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Warrior II

The benefits of Warrior II are numerous. This pose stretches your hips, groins and shoulders while it opens your chest and lungs. As we learned from Warrior I pose, these Warrior poses help with balance, stamina, and concentration. I love that this pose helps relieve backaches. I've also recently learned that Warrior II improves circulation and respiration. This is why I love yoga, simple stretches paired with a meditative state seriously changes lives.

#EveryBodyYoga Day 13 - Warrior I

Day Thirteen of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Warrior I Pose


     Although this pose doesn't feel like a challenge to most, it has so many benefits. Warrior I Pose strengthens your shoulders, arms, thighs, ankles and the muscles of your back while it also helps to expand your chest, lungs and shoulders. It also helps to develop stamina and endurance in the thigh and core muscles - hello, future hot body! That's not all Warrior I helps with, it stimulates abdominal organs and digestion while also working to improve your balance, concentration, and core awareness. I don't know about you but help with my balance, concentration, and core awareness is reason enough alone to get into Warrior I daily. Will you give it a try today?

#EveryBodyYoga Day 12 - Mountain Pose + Peaches & Green Smoothie Recipe

Day Twelve of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Mountain Pose



Although this pose seems effortless, Mountain Pose is wonderful for improving your posture and alignment, toning the spinal nerves, and creating a sense of awareness through out the body. It can be used as a resting pose or a preparatory pose for almost any standing asana. I suggest practicing mountain pose throughout the day whenever you feel a need for centering. I decided to wake up early and take my picture and sunrise - such a serene and peaceful time to go out into the world and practice yoga - one of my favorite ways to start my days... Anyways, getting into mountain pose may seem fairly obvious, but here are a few pointers:

 Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Keep your arms down with your fingers extended and triceps firm. Check to make sure your feet are facing straight ahead. Balance your stance. Slightly engage the lower belly while lifting the heart and the crown of the head. Draw your shoulder blades down slightly toward your waist and just slightly draw them together. Let your attention rest on your breathing. 

Since today is such a fun and easy pose, I decided to share a fun and easy green smoothie recipe too.
This smoothie is PACKED full of greens, which are so very important in our everyday diet! Plus, this is the perfect way to start your day, everyday - healthy and delicious green smoothies for everybody!



Peaches & Green Smoothie Ingredients:
1 peach, pitted

2 cups spinach

2 1/2 cups kale

1/2 cup canned pineapple {I sadly didn't have any fresh}
1 ripe banana

1/2 cup almond milk

1/2 green apple

Place all ingredients in blender and mix - it's that easy and it tastes so good!

#EveryBodyYoga Day 11 - Thread The Needle Pose

Day Eleven of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Thread The Needle Pose

Thread the Needle Pose is essentially just a variation on yesterday's, child's pose. Thread the Needle stretches and opens your shoulders, chest, arms, upper back, and neck while it releases the tension that we all tend to carry in our upper back and between our shoulder blades. This pose also provides a mild twist to your spine, which further reduces tension. This pose also detoxifies with it's slight twist.

While on your hands and knees, reach your arm directly underneath your body, allowing your right shoulder and temple to release to the ground. Your left hand can stay where it is, or let it go above your head, whichever feels more comfortable. Enjoy lounging in this pose again today - so peaceful!



Namaste.
Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
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#EveryBodyYoga Day 10 - Child's Pose

Day Ten of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Child's Pose


Today's a totally different feel than yesterday, a much more relaxed pose that I truly think ANYONE can get into. It's a very comforting, calming pose. I use this pose to rest in between challenging poses, actually when I come out of any inversion I hang out in Child's pose for a little bit so I thought it was fitting to follow our inversions with this fantastic pose. Child's pose has many simple benefits including the stretch it offers the hips, thighs, and ankles while it helps to calm the brain and helps to relieve stress and fatigue. Child's pose also relieves back and neck pain when done with head and torso support. As you can tell, it's a very comforting pose. Chill out today and enjoy the calm pose for a little longer than you normally would.




It's another self-explanatory pose but you can get into this pose from hands and knees, untuck your toes and lower your hips back on to your heels. With knees apart or together, lie your body on your thighs and rest your forehead on the ground. Arms can be straight forward or reaching behind you.
 

Namaste.
Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
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Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
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Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
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#EverybodyYoga Day #9 - Tripod Headstand

 Day Nine of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

I realize there are several of you a little intimidated by today's pose...  Inversions aren't for every body, I get that. That's totally fine - work within your abilities and trust your instincts, just do a "wildcard" pose today if you want to participate in the challenge but aren't feeling an inversion.

With that said, I take my pictures the day before the posting day for this challenge, it's just easier that way most of the time... Yesterday I wanted to take my picture for today at the beach. It was cloudy but not raining when we ventured out of the house and I was super excited to rock out some inversions on the beach. We went to my favorite spot and it started drizzling. "No big deal - I still can do a headstand", I thought to myself. Hubs and I grabbed my yoga mat and walked through the drizzle that ended up turning into a steady rain toward the beach with the camera wrapped in a plastic baggy. I attempted to get into my headstand, which I do daily. I couldn't seem to get it. I kept trying over and over again but I just couldn't seem to bring my second leg up. I was reminding myself to  breath deeply, I was trying to convince myself "I can do this", I was maybe even being a little forceful with myself...
 

And that's when I decided I was going to be real about today's pose. It's not always easy... it's a challenge for those of us that aren't fitness buffs or super experienced yogis. Some days I can easily lift up into this pose and other days my body is just simply not in the mood. The good news is that there are a few ways to make this pose a little more attainable for everybody: I suggest using a wall to find your balance, I actually started doing headstands in the corner of my extra bedroom. If you feel woozy or light headed when coming up, you need to stay in child's pose for a little - it helps. DON'T kick up into a headstand, gently lift yourself - it's easier on your neck and the rest of your body. I also suggest attempting this pose for the first time with a yoga instructor to guide you... but I started popping up into headstands when I felt my body was "ready" for inversions without the assistance of anyone, other than an instructor on youtube. Practice at your own discretion.

Anyways, after feeling totally defeated at the beach... I came home and ended up easily lifting my feet into a headstand in our yard. To my surprise, I was pretty stable the entire time... Although I do have to credit the fence for helping me find comfort in my balance. 

I'd love to give you a step by step guide on how to get into Tripod Headstand but there isn't really much more to it than following The Guide to Getting into Tripod Balance that I posted yesterday; other than engaging all your muscles while lifting your legs towards the sky.

Do you practice inversions?

Any tips or tricks for beginners?

Namaste.
Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
& be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
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Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
#EveryBodyYoga on all platforms!

#EveryBodyYoga Day 8 - Tripod Balance

 Day Eight of the
#EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Day #8: Tripod Balance

I never thought I would be so comfortable with inversions, even after falling and breaking a mirror (oh, you haven't seen that video? Check my instagram for a good laugh) I'm still perfectly comfortable flipping upside down and hanging out. If you know you have a medical condition or something preventing you from inverting than I obviously suggest you try a more upright pose... Other than that, be excited about today's pose.

I know a few of you are  totally cool with inversions, but I also know that they can be intimidating when you are new to yoga or if you just haven't attempted the art of hanging out upside down yet. Remember to be patient with your self and always make time to practice.  It may not happen for you today and that’s ok!  You may fall a few times and that's ok too!

What benefits do you gain from practicing Tripod Balance?

     Tripod Balance helps calm your brain, while also helping to relieve stress and mild depression. It also stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands; while it strengthens the arms, legs, and spine as well as your lungs. Tripod Balance is actually therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis according to experts.

Be sure to be armed with the knowledge of where your balancing point is; You can find this by placing books on your head and seeing where they are stable and feel comfortable... it won't be an exact science but it will help you find your way into a balanced headstand quicker.

You can practice this pose anywhere... But if this is all new to you I highly suggest practicing inversions up against a wall. Doing so is a great place to gain confidence in your ability and find the calm you are looking for.

Begin on your hands and knees; shoulders stacked over hands, hips over knees. Now bend your elbows to form 90 degree angles and place the top of your head onto the floor in front of your hands - pay attention to the placement of your hands and be mindful that they don't creep up near your ears.

Now tuck your toes and bring your knees up off the floor. Bring your feet in toward your hands/arms so that your hips are lifted high toward the sky. Take a breath and embrace this moment - feel the stretch and make sure it's still comfortable, maybe a little challenging but it shouldn't be painful - especially on your head. If it is painful, I suggest you experiment until you find your balancing point. Listen to your body and only attempt what feels comfortable. Also If you start to fall, tuck like you are somersaulting and you will be fine.

Keeping your elbows on point and not swaying to the sides, lift one knee onto your arm. If you still feel comfortable slowly lift your other knee onto your other arm.Congratulations, you did it.
If inversions just aren't your "thing" that's ok, wherever you are in your practice is perfect.
Namaste.

Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
& be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
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Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
#EveryBodyYoga on all platforms!

#EveryBodyYoga Day 7: Dolphin Pose

Day SEVEN
of the #EveryBodyYoga Challenge

 Day #7 - Dolphin Pose

Dolphin Pose is another one of my favorite poses, I didn't admit it yesterday but downward dog (yesterday's pose) is actually one of my least favorites, I find this pose to offer just as good of a stretch, yet I feel so much more comfortable in it... I eventually hope to be able to get into this pose a little deeper. Until then, I'm happy just practicing it and embracing the moment. Dolphin pose calms the mind, relieves stress and mild depression, energizes the body, strengthens arms and legs, stretches upper and lower body, and relieves headaches, back pain, and fatigue according to experts.
This is a pretty easy pose to get into but here's a few pointers, just in case; from hands and knees, bring your forearms to the ground, elbows right under your shoulders, hands directly forward of your elbows. Tuck toes and lift hips and belly straight up, forming a high V-shape.

Practicing Yoga in the hot Florida heat at the park has to be one of my favorite reasons to live where I do... It's hot yoga everyday! Ha.  I'm so happy to see so many of you taking photos and sharing your experiences! Yoga is for every body and all of you are truly embracing that! New yoga lovers and experienced yogis alike, I'm so proud of you for completing week one! I can't wait to see your pictures for week two!

Namaste.

Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
& be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
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Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
#EveryBodyYoga on all platforms!

#EverybodyYoga Day 6: Downward Dog

Day SIX
of the #EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Day #6 - Downward (Facing) Dog

Downward dog is pretty self explanatory but just in case:  Make a tall "V" shape by lifting your hips straight up, sinking your upper chest and your shoulders, and relaxing down the backs of your legs into your heels.  Try to relax your upper chest toward the floor until your arms and body are in line. Inhale your belly and hips up high and relax down through your heels.



Downward Dog has so many benefits it's amazing! This pose calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression while energizing the body. It also stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands while helping to strengthen the arms and legs. Downward dog also Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause as well as menstrual discomfort when done with head supported. Who would have thought? 

 

Almost done with week one of the challenge, are you loving every second of it?

Namaste.


Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors
& be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook 
Lush Cosmetics: Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Luna Jai: Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Gaiam: Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook
Spirit Lockets: Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook

Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
#EveryBodyYoga on all platforms!

#EverybodyYoga Day 5: Side Plank Pose

Day FIVE
of the #EveryBodyYoga Challenge

Day #5 -Side Plank Pose

Side Plank Pose is a powerful arm balance, it strengthens your wrists, forearms, shoulders, and spine!  Side plank also increases flexibility in the wrists, hello future balanced handstands! This pose also tones the abdominal muscles and improves balance, concentration, and focus.

This pose is super simple to get into: from a plank, lift your hips up just a bit, then shift your weight into one hand as you roll your whole body open to the side. Stack your hips, knees, and ankles vertically on top of each other.  Your shoulders, hips and ankles should be in one straight line. Reach your top arm straight up, forming a line from your planted wrist through your top fingers.

I hope everyone enjoys this stretch as much as I do,

it's a great simple stretch that really helps me feel connected.


Namaste.


Do you want to be a part of the Yoga Challenge?
It's never too late to join us...
{well, you can't win if you don't enter by September 30, 2014 but you can always practice yoga and win that way!}

You can find out the exact details on how to participate in the yoga challenge here.

Follow me and all the generous sponsors & be sure to tag us all in your photo submissions:

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook 

Lush Cosmetics:
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Luna Jai:
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Gaiam:
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Spirit Lockets:
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Check out the poses everyday using the hashtag
#EveryBodyYoga on all platforms!