P. 18 - LA PLAYA
JULY / JULIO 2014
WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM
YOGA FOR BEGINNERS
can improve your strength,
balance, coordination, range of
motion, and, yes, flexibility. It can
also lower your stress level and
improve your focus and concentration. Lucky for us, even in our
small community we have a
couple yoga classes to choose
from!
I'm not flexible enough" is an
all-too-common response to the
question, "Have you ever tried yoga?"
The truth is you don't have to be
flexible to do yoga. Yoga will likely
improve your flexibility as you practice,
but you don't have to start out that way.
You don't have to be young, either. You
don't have to be tall, short, thin, fat,
patient, impatient or any other thing. If
you're breathing, you can do yoga.
There are almost as many styles of
yoga as there are teachers. Some
classes are slow and restful, while
others are athletic and vigorous. You
can even do a yoga class in a chair! Be
willing to try different classes until you
find one that is right for you.
The benefits of yoga are countless. It
Going to your first class can be
nerve-wracking, but remember it
was like that for everyone their first
time -- including the teacher! Tell
the teacher you are new and have
never done yoga before, and he or
she will be able to offer extra instruction
as needed, including modifications for
some of the more challenging poses.
The important thing to remember is
that no one knows your body as well as
you do. If one of the poses doesn't feel
good to you, you don't need to do it.
One of yoga's great lessons is learning
to work with your body, really getting to
know it and understanding when it's
okay to challenge it and when it needs
a rest.
Here are a few of the poses you might
encounter in your first class. Try them
at home!
Child's Pose. This is an incredibly
restful, healing pose. Kneel and sit
back on your heels, bringing your
By: Amanda Sides
forehead to the floor. You can put a
pillow under your knees, and between
your calves and hamstrings or under
your head if it makes it more comfortable. Breathe deeply for a couple of
minutes, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
Cat. On all fours, keeping your
shoulders above your wrists and your
hips above your ankles, breathe in as
you arch your back. Bring your head
and tailbone up, and think about
opening your heart forward as you
draw your shoulder blades back. As
you exhale, round your back: tuck your
tailbone, lower your head, and
squeeze your belly button toward your
spine. Keep alternating back and forth
for several breaths, taking your time to
allow the rate of your movement match
the rate of your breath.
Downward Dog. From Cat, return to a
neutral spine. Then curl your toes into
the floor and lift your hips toward the
sky. You want to have weight in both
your hands (which are pressed flat on
the floor) and your feet. Your heels
might touch the floor, or might not. You
are creating an upside-down V with
your body, so your head will be
between your elbows, legs are straight
(or a little bent if that feels more
comfortable), and you imagine bringing
your heart toward your knees.
To Advertise / Para Publicidad: [email protected]
take a big step back with your left leg.
Your right toe is going to point forward,
and your left toe is going to point to the
left side. Bend your right knee, keeping
your knee directly over your ankle. (If it
goes over your toes, take a wider step
and try again.) Shoulders stay above
the hips, and you have weight in both
legs. Hold your arms over your legs at
shoulder height and gaze over the
middle finger of your right hand. Hold
for several breaths, and then repeat on
the other side.
Yoga Classes at the Beach
T ele fonos:
507-202-0852
6090-7107
507-240-5590
OPEN O
T
ABIER
Warrior II. From a standing position,
El Litoral – Located in Coronado
across from the Coronado Golf &
Beach Resort. For class times visit
www.playacommunity.com/events
For more information about classes at
El Litoral contact Anne Marie at
[email protected]
Yoga with Marla – Classes are taught
at Finca La Maya weekly, private
lessons available.
For more information on Yoga classes
with Marla contact Marla at:
[email protected]
info@ho telpu ntachamevilla s .c om
in fo@ho
www.ho telpu ntachamevilla s .c om
Happy Hour
2x1
Todos los dias
de 4pm-6pm
Horario / Hours: 12:00pm to 8:00pm
3 miles from Punta Chame entrance on the Interamerican Highwa
Ubicado en los lagos de Punta Chame
y.
We Buy / Sell
Gold & Silver
Licensed Dealer
Secure your investments
Locked Boxes Available
CALL NOW
Sell
We
gars
a Ci
ohib
C
507-345-3203 | Coronado Mall, 2nd Floor | [email protected]