These days, we see yoga being paired with all kinds of things. Not only are there traditional styles of yoga such as Ashtanga and Vinyasa, but here in the west people combine yoga with everything from weightlifting to wine to goats. Even though these yoga combinations sometimes seem silly, they still have the power to make you laugh, make you sweat or loosen you up – all of which are good things.
Since winter is upon us and some of us may be suffering from cabin fever, this week’s blog looks at combining yoga with a popular outdoor sport: skiing. Here is just one short sequence that can be practiced on skis, but there are many more you might dream up using skis, snowboards, snowshoes, sleds or moon boots.
Begin by standing on a flat surface with your skis on. Bring your hands behind you to support your lower back with your fingers pointing upward in a standing Camel Pose (Ustrasana). Lift your chest skyward and inhale deeply. Bend forward on your exhale, running your hands down the backs of your legs and bending your knees slightly in a Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana). Breathe in as you walk your hands forward to your ski tips, then breath out in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Inhale deeply. Exhale and walk your hands back to your feet lifting your hands into Chair Pose (Utkatasana). Chair pose on skis is great because you can shift your weight to your heels without feeling like you’ll fall backwards. From here you can twist your chair pose into a Revolved Chair Pose (Parivttra Utkatasana).
Whatever you do to incorporate yoga into your daily life, by keeping your practice light and playful you'll naturally be encouraged to practice more. Stay warm and see you on the slopes!
Video of K. Mae Copham by Robert Oakley, shot in Vail, CO December 2018. Image of Yoga Teddy Bear Upward Facing Dog from Yoga Teddy Bear’s Big Little Coloring Book of 108 Poses, colored by VYSHU.N.N, 4 years old, India. Enter our coloring contest to win prizes!
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