On the 12th Day of Christmas

Today rat-a-tat-tat on your drum by moving from Downward Facing Dog posture to Plank then back to Dog again!  Tying these two postures together builds strength and warms the body.  You can also check the placement of feet with the movement~I often work Downward Facing Dog more steeped and this movement helps me keep good space between my feet and hands.  Rum-a-tum-tum on the 12th and FINAL Day of Christmas! #zipaDEE12Days

On the 11th Day of Christmas

On the 11th Day, the pipers piped.  Playing a musical instrument requires a healthy diaphragm and strong command of the breath.  Sit today and practice breathing.  We are breathing all the time, but to take a moment and FOCUS on breathing improves the quality of my day.  I did not crop the above picture even though there is a lot in the foreground and background.  We have many things to do (foreground), we have accomplished much (background), but breathing helps us to be present in the moment.  It is grounding and calming and FREE and freeing!  To create harmony and the "best music," BREATHE on the 11th Day of Christmas. #zipaDEE12Days

On the 10th Day of Christmas

This twist energizes the spine and stimulates the digestive processes.  In the Twelve Days of Christmas carol, the "lords were leaping" on the tenth day.  This posture is entitled "Ardha Matsyendrasana"= Half Lord of the Fishes.  Matsyendra and Goraksha are often credited as the founders of the Hatha Yoga lineage.  Legend has it Matsyendra was tossed into the ocean when a baby and swallowed by a fish, hence his title, "Lord of the Fishes."  "Half" refers to the posture being modified and not the fullest expression where the foot of the bent leg rests in the hip crease of the straight leg . . . so TWIST on the TENTH Day of Christmas with a royal flair!  Sit up straight and tall, extending one leg with the foot flexed.  Bend the other leg and rest the foot inside or outside the knee.  You may hug the knee versus tucking the elbow on the outside of it, a modification or option I sometimes prefer.  The other arm reaches back as a second spine and you sit up tall and breathe.  On the inhale grow taller and on the exhale twist a fraction more.  Happy 10th Day of Christmas!  #zipaDEE12Days

On the 9th Day of Christmas

On the 9th Day of Christmas, dance with the nine ladies! Dancer posture is a balancing pose.  Feel the foot really grow roots into the earth and then bend the opposite knee.  Catch the ankle with the same side hand, inside or outside the ankle.  Tip the belly button to the ground, keeping hips square.  Reach out with opposite hand to help maintain balance.  You open the shoulders, chest and hips while stretching and strengthening the thighs, ankles, and abdomen.  You also increase flexibility in your spine, shoulders and hamstrings with this posture.  Dance morning, noon and night on the 9th Day of Christmas! #zipaDEE12Days

On the 8th Day of Christmas

On the 8th Day of Christmas, join the maids a milkin' down on the farm!  To be a cow, inhale and drop your "udders" while lifting your chin and tailbone.  On the exhale, round the back while dropping the chin and tailbone.   Moving back and forth between these two postures relieves stress from lower back pain and sciatica and increases flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine.  The pairing also stretches the muscles of the hips, back, abdomen, chest and lungs.   4 COWS + 4 CATS = 8th Day of Christmas #zipaDEE12Days

On the 7th Day of Christmas

On the 7th Day of Christmas, SWIM with the swans!  Lying on your belly, squeeze the muscles in the lower body and upper body to raise the body into the shape of a smile.  Keep the neck long, face towards the ground. You can stretch the arms forward or reach back, arms parallel to the body.  This posture strengthens the muscles in the back, bum, legs, and arms.  It stretches the shoulders, chest, belly, and thighs.  It also improves posture, stimulates abdominal organs, and helps relieve stress.  Have a good swim on the 7th Day of Christmas! #zipaDEE12Days

On the 6th Day of Christmas

On the 6th Day of Christmas, instead of "geese a laying" how about you lay down and take a load off your feet?  Sidle your hips up to a wall or tree, then twist and use the wall or tree to support your legs.  The benefits of resting this way:

reduce edema in legs and feet

relieve tired leg muscles

calm the nervous system

quiet the mind

improve focus and concentration

shift perspective

reverse the effects of gravity on the whole system

help regulate blood pressure

help improve digestion

aid arthritis, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, mild depression, varicose veins, menstrual cramps, PMS, menopausal symptoms

stretch hamstrings, front torso, and back of neck

keep yourself young and vital, enjoy anti-aging effects

relieve mild backache

improve problems of eyes and ears

How can you afford NOT to invest a few moments of the day with your "legs up the wall?!"  Happy 6th Day of Christmas!  #zipaDEE12Days