As winter begins, and nature transforms around us, we see the scope of this vast change. Leaves scattered through the yards, bare branches on trees, and lots of brown. In Abilene, we aren't accustomed to an abundance of green, but in the winter, it seems to be even more brown. I have always been intrigued by evergreen trees. How is it that so many trees loose all their leaves, and others are full? It's how the trees are designed. Evergreen trees have needles that are actually rolled up leaves covered in a waxy film to help them conserve water to flourish in challenging weather conditions.
Winter brings in colder air and shorter days so we end up spending more time inside being stationary. When we don't activate the regulatory systems in the body, we become susceptible to the germs that enter our environments. We also may suffer from not being in the sunshine as often as we need, which leads to emotional and physical stress on our systems. While there's no magic cure-all to eliminate any possible germs from crossing our paths, there are ways in which we can boost our internal system to better fight the external environment.
Yoga helps us create a healthy system to keep us well all year round. Like the evergreen trees, we must adapt to give our bodies the best chance for health! There are multiple systems in the body that encourage immune building properties. Yoga poses and breathing techniques can stimulate the lymphatic system - encouraging it to push toxins out of the body, as well as the respiratory system - allowing the lungs to find complete inhalations helping our organs to function properly.
For our #WinterWellness Yoga Pose Challenge, we will be focusing on poses that stimulate our organs and muscles to get the body functioning at it's optimal level. There's a variety of poses that help keep us physically and emotionally strong throughout the winter months. Stimulating strength and balance as we open our lungs help us create a strong defense for the winter months. There are pose options for each day shown in the pic, but I will also be posting small videos to add other options for you to share for the challenge.
To participate in the #WinterWellness Yoga Pose Challenge: (December 21-27, 2017)
1) Share the information about the challenge with your friends on facebook or instagram -
2) Each day of the challenge post a pic of your body's variation of the pose of the day on either the post shared on the @clarissapyeattyoga facebook page, or tag @clarissapyeattyoga on your personal post on instagram or facebook (for me to see the tag, your profile has to be public, or you can ask me to follow/friend your page so I can see your fun pics to enter you in the challenge) Each day has a couple of options shown in the pic for the challenge, but if you'd like other suggestions for your body that day, feel free to ask me! If you're with your family and friends during this fun challenge - be creative and let everyone share in the fun!
For those choosing to participate in the challenge, you'll be entered to win this fun prize designed to help your body combat the winter blues from every avenue!
As winter begins on December 21st, that also represents a special day for my family. My husband's sweet mother, Brenda, was born that day. Even though breast cancer took her physical body away from us 15 years ago, her love still resides in our hearts. The picture below shows my oldest daughter, Kyley (age 2 at time of picture), with her Gamma. My youngest daughter, Kymber, was in my belly when she passed. It's amazing to believe that small toddler in the picture is now a senior in high school.
I hope you all are able to find strength and immunity this season as we all seek #WinterWellness. I look forward to seeing your body's variation of each day's pose. Have fun with Yoga!