Core Power Hour by Sadie Nardini
Core Strength Power Hour:
Week 5
Jul 17, 2008
For the first 5 years of my yoga practice, when the teacher chirped, “OK! everyone to the wall for inversions!” I would jet out of the room for a long, fake bathroom break until I was sure the horror had ended.
One day she intercepted my dash for the door, and asked me why I always left my mat empty during the wall work. I fessed up: They scared me silly. I had a total freak out just thinking about being upside down in a room full of strangers, and being as my arms couldn’t even hold up a shopping bag for very long, I was sure I would be unable to do a handstand without doing myself serious bodily harm.
Then my teacher said something wonderful: “Don’t think of it as an inversion, just get curious about seeing your life from a new perspective!” That, coupled with her permission to work slow and low at my own freaked-out beginner level, let me eventually break through my blocks.
Now I rock handstands in the middle of the room, no problem. It takes time (and strength), but it’s possible.
During this sequence, I want you to give yourself permission to go for it by taking these baby steps: stay in alignment, be where you need to be, and work on the preparations until you feel confident going farther. When you want to slip out the door and hide from fear resist withdrawing and plunge further into the pose even if it means taking one last shaky inhale. Each iota of physical strength directly correlates to building courage.
Promise.
Specifically, you’ll learn:
Wall Body Opener
Eagle Arm Stretch
L Shape Handstand
Clasp Hand Stretch
Sadie's 30
Wall Heart Opener
Handstand Split Prep
Full Handstand
Camel Pose
Child's Pose
See You on the Mat,
Sadie
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Comments
24 Jul 2008, 21:38
26 Jul 2008, 23:25
I'd like t thank you for your wonderful instruction. i have been practicing yoga every day for several weeks and i have never felt better! i have mild scoliosis and your core yoga had totally changed my life. My chronic pain has is nearly gone, my posture has improved without me even having to think about it, i feel strong and flexible...even my self confidence has improved!
I appreciate your amazing technique and your positive energy is infectious! Again - thank you, thank you, thank you!
glowing, as are you -
sarah
27 Jul 2008, 11:12
WOW, WOW, and more WOW! You two blew me away with your courage, your commitment to your practice, and the awesome ability to give compliments.
I am proud of your handstand, Marisa, and Sarah, what a rockstar. And, I'm so happy to have been able to help you both to attain more balance and freedom.
Keep in touch--tell us all how it's going, ladies! And have a great day.
Namaste,
Sadie
Thank you SO much for showing us how to do hand stands with baby steps. You always remind us of the importance of being compassionate with ourselves. Following your instructions with ears and eyes I was able to stay on hand stand away from the wall for several seconds... more than ever before! And I finally 'fell' because I couldn't believe I was lasting so long! I bet I could've stayed longer!!
These are really valuable teachings for any yoga practitioner o yoga teacher, and having the opportunity to watch them over and over again is priceless.
THANK YOU!
Marisa