Every Wednesday 8-9:15am Waipuilani Park, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

FREE Hatha Yoga Class....for Every body, age, yoga experience.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

YOGA NUGGETS

Wake Up the Whole Body

When doing poses we may notice that one side of our body is more flexible or stronger or more balanced. Usually it is the side we use the most in daily life. This is known as your Dominant Side. For example: Right handed people tend to do everything with their right hand-write, lift things, etc. For left handed people, it is your left side usually that has been developed. We want to wake up the non-dominant side which enhances our brain power as well. I was first introduced to this Dominant/Non-dominant concept and exercise by Dr. Jean Houston.

Start by taking a step forward with your non-dominant foot and see how it feels! It may feel weird or uncoordinated. Now stand with feet parallel, raise both arms out in front of you. Turn your wrists side to side and then “play piano” with your fingers of both hands at the same time, moving your fingers from thumb to pinky and pinky back to thumb. What do you notice between the dominant and non-dominant hands? Arms down and move only your non-dominant side: hands, arms, shoulders, feet, legs, hips, in varying motions and directions, all at the same time. Do this for several minutes. The longer the better. This will stimulate nerve impulses in your brain, waking up those that have been sleeping on the non-dominant side. When you stop the movements, stand still with your eyes closed and again, what do you notice? Keeping your eyes closed raise your arms repeat the wrist and finger exercise from above. What do you notice? Spend the next week, doing small things, like opening a door, or brushing your teeth with your non-dominate hand , and start walking with you non-dominant foot. Doing this on a daily basis for a few minutes, can enhance and open up your thoughts and perceptions expanding them in new and different ways. Here’s to feeling whole…..and awake….Enjoy…

6 comments:

  1. Great fun today in the Maui sun on the beach. I couldn't have asked for a better yoga time!

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  2. It was great seeing you move through the poses and have fun at the same time considering you are very new to yoga.....welcome

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  3. Nai'a ...I would love to keep you posted. what is your email address. Someone else must have forward this info. Also, you can go directly to the blogspot every week to check on updates. www.yogaforeverybodymaui-gylian.blogspot.com

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  4. Can't wait for Wednesda on the beach!! Thanks much Gylian!

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