Who could use a dose of stable, grounded strength to boost your body, mind, and heart? Often in yoga, we emphasize the flexibility aspect and many people who haven’t tried yoga assume yoga is a stretch class. While flexibility is one of the important components of a well-rounded yoga practice, building external and internal stability is equally essential. This week we turn the spotlight on ways to amp up stability and strength when you step onto your yoga mat.
Yoga Sutra 2.46 Sthira Sukham Asanam is one of the best known tenets from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. What does it mean? The posture should be steady and comfortable or the intersection of effort and ease. By emphasizing strength and grounded energy, you build sufficient physical power to find the sense of comfort and ease in an asana. If you’re struggling because your muscles aren’t developed enough to support you, the comfort won’t be easy to access.
Standing Poses like Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) and balancing poses like Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III) build strength in the lower body and core. When you are in weight-bearing positions like these ones, your bones and muscles are growing stronger, which helps maintain healthy joints. If you’re too weak to balance on one leg for thirty seconds, your joints often take over and develop instability or cause injury. Rooting your feet and savoring the connection with the earth beneath you creates grounded, stable energy.
Building a solid foundation keeps you centered and is the perfect basis for developing and maintaining flexibility safely. Another vital component of strength and stability is developing a strong core to protect your spine and prevent back pain. Navasana (Boat Pose) and Phalakasana (Plank Pose) both create a strong center and contribute to a toned physique. Integrating these poses and other spine strengtheners will also improve your sense of balance, whether that’s on one leg, your hands, or in your thoughts and emotions.
Prioritizing both strength and flexibility will create a body and mind that’s both flexible and strong, inside and out. This week’s classes create a sense of stability, whether you need to connect to your inner confidence, prevent injuries, regain strength after having a baby, or just want to tone your body.
Jackie Casal Mahrou - Inner Strength Flow
Kristen Boyle - Postnatal Strength
Desiree Rumbaugh - Strengthen, Protect, & Heal the Lower Back
Shannon Paige - Strength for Grace