Yoga Cures: Simple Routines to Conquer Over 50 Common Ailments and Live Pain-Free (41 page)

embrace the changes with ease and a sense of adventure.

This routine can be done in any phase of pregnancy and is designed to ease the mind and release tension in

the hips and hamstrings. Do this as often as makes you feel comfortable. First thing in the morning and last
thing at night is a great start.

Squat

Stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart. Turn your toes out to the sides, and your heels in. Sink your hips down toward the ground. If your heels don’t reach the ground bring a blanket to put under them for extra support.

Place your hands on the ground in front of you for support.

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Wide Leg Straddle (upright)

Sit on the floor or a mat and open your legs out to the sides. Open them only as far as you can without tension. Press your fingertips into the floor behind your hips and lift your chest up. Flex your feet and reach through your heels.

Stay here for three long, deep breaths.

Wide Leg Straddle (lowered torso)

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back nice and long. Only go as far as you can while feeling just a bit of tension, but enough that you can breathe into the position easily. Stay here for ten long, deep breaths.

Happy Baby

Lie down on your back. Draw your knees into your chest. Grab the outsides of your feet with your hands so the

bottoms of your feet point straight up. Gently pull your knees down toward the ground outside your torso using the strength of your arms. If it feels good rock carefully from side to side to open your back and hips even more. Stay here for ten long, deep breaths.

Procrastination

Need to get something done but keep putting it off until the last possible minute? We’ve all

experienced procrastination at some point in our lives. It can be accompanied by denial, followed by

anxiety, frustration, and downright panic when we get right up to our deadline. Often we simply lack

the tools to pace ourselves or set a schedule that would lead us to accomplish our tasks on time. When

something is overwhelming, we may ignore it until the last minute, sending ourselves into a frenzy. We

need to be prepared so we can spot it and do something about it. Yoga can help by releasing excess

tension in the mind that may be blocking those creative juices. Yoga will also build focus so you can

concentrate without distraction on the task at hand. Often when we have a task ahead of us that we feel

anxious about completing, we stop in the middle before we complete it. When we feel inspired, we

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have the energy and desire to continue with the tasks we set out to accomplish and do them with ease

and focus. This routine is designed to ignite, or possibly rekindle, your desire to dive right into your

projects and maintain focus throughout until completion.

THE PROCRASTINATION YOGA CURE

The best way to alleviate procrastination is to get inspired. When you have lasting inspiration any project,
deadline, or drawer that needs cleaning will get the focused attention it needs without the stress.

So without further anticipation, or procrastination, let’s get right to the yoga. This routine is designed to
invigorate your entire body and ease tension in the mind. Stay with the breath and have fun! Do this routine
at least three times a week to get yourself back on track.

Down Dog

From all fours, tuck your toes, lift your hips, and press back into down dog. Reach your heels toward the ground.

Relax your shoulders toward the ground and relax your head and neck. Stay here for five long, deep breaths.

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Down Dog Split

From your down dog, inhale and lift your right leg straight up. Flex your foot and reach through the heel as if you are helping to hold up a wall with your foot. Square the hips so the toes of your right foot are pointing down and lift up from the back of the upper thigh. Continue to press through both arms evenly as you extend out through the leg.

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