WELLBEING

wellbeing Bournemouth wellbeing

EXPERIENCE

Summer is slowly becoming more than just a dream. The sun is starting to beat down on us, and in the beam of sunshine it can be easy to lose sight of what is important in life: time to relax.

With the hustle and bustle of life you may find that you don’t have enough time to focus on unwinding at the end of the day. This can have serious effects on your mood, appetite and sleep. Yoga is an excellent daily practice to get into. Yoga is not about being good at something but about being good to yourself. The practice allows you to give yourself time to think, move and feel better.

It is a practice that originated in India around 5,000 years ago and this ancient form of exercise has been noted to have plenty of health benefits. Whether you suffer from poor posture, want to improve your core strength or simply want to become more flexible, yoga is for you.

Stay Connected have researched the best yoga poses for staying cool this summer. Grab yourself a cold water, a yoga mat or a towel so that you can be comfortable whilst working on the floor.

Ensure you have enough open space to move freely. Perhaps try doing your yoga practice in the garden during a hot sunny day!

Down facing dog

This is a beginners move. It requires putting your feet and hands flat on your yoga mat or towel. This pose energizes and rejuvenates the body, by deeply stretching your hamstrings, shoulders, calves, hands and spine. You also build strength with your arms as you continue your yoga practice and you will see the difference over time. Regular practise of the downward facing dog move can improve digestion, back pain and help prevent osteoporosis.

Be sure to check with your doctor if you are worried before doing any yoga pose. Do not practice downward facing dog if you have severe carpal

tunnel or are in late term pregnancy. Avoid doing this pose if you have back arm or shoulder issues, or if you have high blood pressure or inner ear issues.

Childs pose

This pose is easy to achieve. Kneel with your legs tucked under yourself comfortably and then stretch your arms out parallel to one another. Firstly, kneel on the floor with your knees hip-width apart. Rest your palms on top of your thighs. Then on an exhale, lower your torso between your knees. Extend your arms alongside your torso. Put your palms flat to the floor and relax.

The benefits of doing child’s pose regularly are that it releases tension, helps to reduce stress and anxiety, it lengthens and stretches the spine. Whilst gently stretching the hips, thighs and ankles this pose also helps to calm the mind and body, so is ideal for the benefiting you on the inside and out.

Tree

This is a slightly more advanced pose, so make sure you’re feeling steady on your feet for this one.

Begin by taking a moment to feel both your feet firmly on the floor with your weight evenly distributed on each foot. Then shift your weight into your right foot and lift your left foot off the floor. Keep your right leg straight but don’t lock the knee.

After, bend your left knee and bring the sole of your left foot high onto your inner right thigh.

Press your foot into your thigh and your thigh back into your foot with equal pressure. This will help you keep both hips squared toward the front so your right hip doesn’t jut out.

Try to focus on a spot on the wall that you can help to balance yourself with. Take 5 to 10 breaths, then lower your left foot to the floor and repeat on the other side.

wellbeing

If you want a more guided way to explore yoga this summer then be sure to check out Fiona Tew, a health and wellness coach who will help you achieve all of your lifestyle goals.

Every Saturday morning Bournemouth Wellbeing Experience teach classes on the beach between Durley Chine and Bournemouth Pier.

Choose from one or all of the following classes; BodyWorkout 7.15am-7.45am Yoga 8.00am-8.45am Meditation 8.45am-9.15am

These unique and enjoyable classes are aimed to deliver results for every person that attends regardless of age, body shape or current fitness level. The instructors will offer modifications to accommodate all levels of fitness.

Bournemouth Wellbeing Experience offer a fun, friendly and welcoming environment for the complete novice starting their fitness journey to the advanced fitness fanatic.

Please check out their page @ bournemouthwellbeingexperience

Book your place through our Facebook event page or website-

bournemouth wellbeingexperience.com

If it rains, we now have an indoor venue if it rains. This will be, The Collingwood Hotel, 11 Priory Road, Bournemouth BH2 5DF