Core stability is a key part of yoga and identifying and engaging these muscles can help to improve strength, core stability and protect the lower back. Students can sometime find it difficult to isolate these muscles and the instruction ‘engage core’ is frequently used as a reminder during classes. It would be lovely if little lights came on when students have ‘engaged’, the smiles when I say ‘and of course you all have your core muscles engaged’ tells me another story. I frequently remind students in my class to engage their core muscles before and during sequences and asana, its as much a reminder for myself as them! For those who find it difficult to identify and turn on the core this excellent 3 minute 3-D video provides a simple and straight forward explanation. Core Stability 3-D video
YOGA: Energy Block Release 1
Energy Block Release 1 (EBR1) is the Foundation Sequence unique to Dru Yoga. It is the first sequence that I teach in my classes and helps to provide a full body warm-up and will also help balance mind and emotions. This Foundation Sequence is a great way to get energy flowing more freely through the body and bring you to a place of deep inner stillness. It’s normal when you first start to practice the sequence and learn the movements to find that the breathing just doesn’t happen, this is okay! With practice you will find that you will begin to co-ordinate your breath with the movements and start to perform the sequence with ease and flow. Just relax, soft joints and smile!
Here is a lovely 10 minute home practice video with Nanna, a most inspirational teacher, just click here: EBR1