It can be very difficult to transition from work life to home life. No matter what your occupation, there will be times where you have difficulty leaving work at work. It is important for so many reasons to be present at home with your loved ones without the random or specific thoughts of work rushing through your head. And yes, even as a yoga teacher I bring thoughts of my clients home with me: “Hopefully I’ve taught them their practice well enough so when they take it home they won’t injure themselves!”; “I wonder if their practice is healing them?” etc. Today, I share with you my favourite transition pose:
Wall Hang
Cues
• At a wall, sit with your left or right side of the body to the wall
• Swing your legs up to the wall and rest your back on your mat – arms are at your sides with the palms facing up
• If your hamstrings are tight, move your buttocks away from the wall until you no longer feel them (your legs should not distract you in this pose)
• Place a blanket over yourself if you are cold
• Use an eye bag (or place a folded face cloth over your eyes) to facilitate relaxation
• Breathe softly, quietly and gently
• Stay in the pose anywhere from 10 – 20 minutes
• When coming out of the pose, first bring your knees to your chest and hug them for a few breaths, then roll over to your side and come up safely.
Benefits
• Rests the heart
• Rests tired legs and prevents varicose veins
• Soothes the sympathetic nervous system
• Relieves palpitations, breathlessness, asthma, bronchitis and throat ailments
• Reduces indigestion and nausea
This pose is an opportunity for you to leave everything “at the door” and become present at home. Practicing this pose after work, or any other stressful event outside your home life, will help you to reset and recharge for home life. In my Semi-Private Therapeutic Yoga classes we start every class with this pose; leaving everything at the door so we can be present in our practice together. My mentor, Lindsay Whalen (student of BKS Iyengar), graciously passed this knowledge down to me. Please feel free to email any questions or comments regarding your practice of this pose!
For more information on all things yoga visit www.yogaontheflow.com or follow @YogaOnTheFlow on twitter.
Namaste
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