Week 158: Forgotten But Appreciated Release

I love the idea of a birthday practiced. As I said earlier this month, my yoga practice leads to gratitude and I enjoyed practicing joyful breathing during my birthday week to boot.

So it may not have actually been my day of birth, but August still is my birth month. Thus, I indulged in a little birthday practice this week.

It was a hectic week or so with a trip away from home (first time away for the night without my littlest) and loads of prep for our vacation west; I was happy to see what Adriene had in store.

The Happy Birthday practice was riddled with words like "rebirth" and "wringing out the old". It was a rejuvenating practice that set me anew with more energy and excitement for the upcoming weeks... and literally for the rest of the year!

The asana that made that rebirth feeling so true was Threading the Needle pose or Revolved Child’s pose (Parsva Balasana). I have done this pose over the years but tend to forget about it. Yet, when directed back into this pose, I remember how much I appreciate this pose for all that is does. A unilateral shoulder and chest opener, I love the stretch I feel with the arm up in the air but also when the hand binds behind my back. The support arm also receives a glorious stretch in the posterior deltoid/shoulder, which I find difficult to replicate in any other way. This week's extra busyness had settled into my neck and shoulders so I was quick to jump into the pose and stay there for a while!

As with any twisting pose, it can be looked upon as a "wringing" out pose. Many times I have heard the cueing of twists presented as wringing out the spine as if it was a wet towel that needed to be squeezed to release the water. Perfectly aligned with releasing the old during my birthday month. It is a very powerful visual of detoxification!

What a perfect birthday gift to end my favorite month of the year - August!

Feelings of renewal and ready to take on the thirty-fifth year of my life! 
LW