Move Your Body!

Triangle modification for shoulder stretching and chest-opening. Like these Lotus capris? They are made out of recycled water bottles! http://www.myinnerfire.com/ #innerfireluminary

 I have been very tired lately for reasons I am not quite sure of. Perhaps part of it is settling into a new routine, or the fact that it is very dark when I wake up. What I do find helps to wake me up and keep me energized during the day is making sure that I move around. 
I have been continuing my pursuit of structural integration education (mostly through Tom Myers) and it seems that it can't possibly be overstated that everyone must MOVE around!
In order to maintain good working tissue health you need to keep squeezing and rearranging your body. Our cellular body is contained in a mixture of extra-cellular fluid and tougher strands of protein that contain the fluid. The more you move around, the more that fluid arranges itself in an orderly manner throughout your body. And when you introduce new or unusual movements in your body you hydrate harder to reach areas that might otherwise dry up and become stiff and more difficult to use. 
Don't be afraid to add new things into your yoga practice to keep your body hydrated, and also to keep forming new neuro-motor pathways too!
But the most important thing is to make sure you move around every day. Even if you read this post and then take five minutes away from your screen to do a couple squats (you know I love some squats), or stand up and move your arms around,  movement is so so important. I'm a big fan of this modification of triangle pose right now. Rather than reaching up with your upper arm wrap your arm behind your back to create more space between your shoulder and ear.
Before you go, just for a moment pay attention to the way your ribs move when you breathe. Try to make your ribs more spacious as you inhale.  Then let your ribs come closer together and feel your belly draw up toward the ribs as you exhale. Even just taking a moment to be aware of your breath can be a helpful re-set button.
Keep moving around and keep getting on your mat at Fearless Heart!
​See you soon, Yogis!

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