Venus Rising

Yoga for LivingIssue: Aquarius 08

Stay Energized Through the Winter Months

Bow/Dhanurasana

To practice dhanurasana, lie on your belly. Bend both knees, and reach back for your outer ankles with your hands. Bring your knees in line with your hips, and draw your navel toward your tail bone so that the tail bone moves toward your knees. Keeping your tail bone extended toward the knees, press your ankles into your hands so much that your chest lifts off the floor. Your arms remain straight. Keep hugging your legs in towards center line as you press ankles into hands. Allow your heart to open by squeezing your shoulder blades toward each other and breathing into the upper lungs. After 5-7 breaths, rest with one ear down. Do once more, and rest with the other ear down. As a counter pose, stretch back into downward facing dog and then child’s pose.

 
Avoid injury! When practicing yoga, listen to your body and take responsibility for your safety. Always move gently into poses, and do not push too hard.