Energizing the lower body tonight. One of my favorite "tricks" to find movement in places we thought were immobile (whether by design or by misuse) is to squeeze a block between your thighs in different poses, moving it forward and back with just the rotation of the femurs. Tonight we tried it in Table, Cat/Cow, Mountain, Forward Fold, and Downward Dog. Give it a try and see what release you can find.We also reviewed Mula Bandha - the energy lock in the low pelvic area. To find the correct muscle, imagine that you are stopping the flow of urine - or kegel exercises. You engage the pelvic floor (the space between the pubic bone and tailbone. At first, it feels like you are contracting the muscles around the anus and genitals, but you really want to isolate and lift the perineum. That lifting up of the muscle "locks" the energy in the body so you can use it in your poses. It provides instant stability and strength. The area where mula bandha is located in the root chakra. In the Kundalini yoga tradition, it is where the potent energy lies dormant until awakened by yoga practice.Other common bandhas we often talk about in our practice include hasta bandha (hand lock), pada bandha (foot lock), jhalandara bandha (throat lock - like in bridge pose), and uddiyana bandha (abdominal lock - like in boat). When you activate your throat, abdominal and root locks it is called Maha Bandha (the great lock).
Quote from practice: "Never let anyone come to you without coming away better and happier"
-Mother Teresa
great blog loved the pelvic work out. The floor has dropped on me as I have aged.
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