Core Stability Yoga

August’s Theme is Core & Confidence

Focus on Stability, Self-Confidence, and Strength

Goddess Pose

Our core is incredibly important; it matters for strength, stability, efficient movement, and injury prevention. It is a grouping of muscles in our trunk, pelvis, and spine that work together to keep us upright, balanced, and protected. It is more than just our abs!

Goddess pose needs strength and stability to execute and inspires self-confidence. As with the other poses we’ve explored this month it can be done using a chair for assistance or even seated in a chair. Take your time in Goddess and think about fun ways you can challenge yourself and your students once you’ve gained confidence in the pose.

Goddess Pose Modified- Seated in a Chair

Begin seated in a chair; feet comfortably resting on the ground, length through the spine in Mountain Pose. Separate the legs as wide as is comfortable, keeping the knees over the ankles and the toes pointed slightly out. Gently press the feet into the earth, engaging the leg muscles.

On an inhale widen the arms up and out; on the exhale gently bend them to goal posts.

Pause for a few breaths feeling the engagement throughout the body.

Goddess Pose Modified- Standing, using a Chair for Balance

Begin in mountain with the fingers resting on the back of a chair. Step the feet as wide apart as comfortable ensuring the toes are pointed slightly out. Inhale and lengthen through the spine while widening the arms up and out, exhale and bend the knees while gently bringing the arms to goal posts.

**If balance is a challenge, keep one or both hands on the chair as needed.

Goddess Pose Additional Techniques

Fun ways to challenge yourself once you are confident in the original pose

· Alternate lifting one heel with the breath and setting it down; on the next breath lift and lower the other heel. **Option to lift both heels and pause for a few breaths

· Move between goddess and five-pointed star, inhaling to five-pointed star and exhaling back to goddess.