Yogatic with Esther Ekhart - Welcome!

Hey everyone,

Here the flying pigeon pose, another advanced arm balance pose. Great hip opener so make sure you practice tree pose and pigeon pose before attempting this to open the hips. And don’t forget to practice both sides!

Have fun and let me know how you get on, any questions ask :)

Esther

Hi Everyone,
When you do the Triangle pose, do the reversed Triangle pose right after that for a while, just to feel how it is. It prepares the body for deeper twists like side crow pose.
It’s a great pose, great twist and a great opening in the spine!
Esther

Here seated forward bend explained in a video. There is so much to say about this pose, it stretches the back of the body, all the energy channels along that side. As a result it calms the body, prepares you for meditation, calms the nerves…
As well it works therapeutic for high blood pressure, Insomnia and sinusitis.

I would really recommend practicing this pose in every yoga session towards the end of your practice,…

Esther

Hi Everyone,

This version of Warrior I is great to start with, it really works on the placement of the lower body, legs and hips which are the foundation for a long and free lower back! Try out getting into it this way and let me know what you think!

Esther

Utthita hasta padangustasana / Extended hand to big toe pose

Benefits:

• Opens and strengthens the hips
• Strengthens the legs and ankles
• Improves concentration
• Improves balance

Click on Extended hand to big toe pose to find out how to perform this pose.

Extended hand to big toe pose / Utthita hasta padangustasana

step by step:

• Stand in tadasana.
• Take a point on eye level to focus on with a soft gaze.
• Bring the weight on your left foot and lift your right knee up. Reach with your right hand along the inside of your leg for your big toe. Fold your thumb, middle finger and thumb around the big toe. Make sure that you stand keeping your back straight.
• As far as possible on an in-breath extend your right leg out to the front, hold for about 5 breaths. It is more important to keep your back straight than it is to straighten your leg fully.
• Keep the shoulders on the back, your chest open and both hips the same level.
• When you are steady inhale and bring your leg out to the right and look over your left shoulder.
• Stay here for around 5 breaths, concentrating on the breaths to help focus the mind.
• Than on the next inhalation bring the leg and head back to the centre. As you exhale lower the foot back to the floor.
• Repeat on the other side.

Click on Utthita hasta padangustasana to find out about the benefits of this pose

In this video I demonstrate a variation to extended hand to big toe pose/ utthita hasta padangustasana. This pose has different benefits. First of all, I like doing balancing poses because it forces you to be alert, present and concentrated.

Hi everyone,

So here the final breakdown, remember to work with a belt if you can’t reach the hands together, and to grasp the top wrist if you can easily reach!  It took me a week to practice this everyday for me to bind! Let’s see how long it will take you… Let it happen naturally that the spine opens, don’t push it!

Enjoy,

Esther

Hey everyone,

Here one of my favorite poses, cow face pose! For me it works restorative, my hips, my shoulders and lower back opens, when I bend forward in it. It also tells me when my hip are tight and need attention… Also good for the knees!

Try it out and let me know if you can see a cow face in me doing the pose :)

Esther

Hey everyone,

Here as promised the next breakdown of the side angle series, the reversed  extended side angle pose. It is a lovely twist once your back starts to open to it! Practice it gently every day for a while and you will notice the body opening quickly..

Esther