June National Cancer Survivor Month

June’s monthly theme is Energy & Expansion

Asanas  

Our Focus is on Breath, Sun Salutations, Lifting Energy this month.

Standing Crescent Flow

Begin in mountain.  Bring the arms forward to shoulder height, bend elbows, palms in and fingers up.  On the inhale open the elbows to the side to goal posts and on the exhale bring the elbows back in; repeat a few times.  Return to mountain. 

Step the right foot back landing on the toes, gently sinking the hips toward the earth while bending the front knee into Crescent.  Bring the arms to goal posts.  On the inhale straighten the elbows reaching up and out, on the exhale return to goal posts; repeat a few times.  Return to Crescent.  On the inhale, lengthen the front leg and, on the exhale, bend the front knee; repeat a few times (Option to add either of the prior arms to the lengthening and bending of the leg).  Pause in Crescent and then step forward to mountain.

Note: Another option is to have the chair in front of the hips, fingertips on the chair, and then step back into Crescent.  You can then use one arm at a time as noted above to aid in stability and balance.

Seated Crescent Flow

Begin seated in the chair, as far forward as comfortable with both feet on the ground, in mountain.  Bring the arms forward to shoulder height, bend elbows, palms in and fingers up. 

On the inhale open the elbows to the side to goal posts and on the exhale bring the elbows back in; repeat a few times.  Return to mountain.

Turn sideways in the chair with both feet on the ground in front of you, adjusting yourself so that the hip/buttock toward the front of the chair is not resting on the seat of the chair.  Let the front knee descend towards the ground, ensuring the knee continues to face the same direction as your body.  It may be more comfortable to place a block under the knee for support.  (Option to lengthen the leg until the toes can rest comfortably on the earth and the front leg lengthened.)

Bring the arms to goal posts.  On the inhale straighten the elbows reaching up and out, on the exhale return to goal posts; repeat a few times.  Return to Crescent Moon.

On the inhale, lengthen the front leg, maybe lifting it off the ground and, on the exhale, bend the front knee; repeat a few times (Option to add either of the prior arms to the lengthening and bending of the leg).  Pause in Crescent.  Turn forward on the chair back to mountain.

Crescent Moon

You can also incorporate Crescent Moon into your Seated Sun Salutations:

Inhale arms up or shoulder height, exhale forward fold focusing on length in the spine bringing hands to your knees, inhale bringing your torso back up with arms up or shoulder height, exhale bringing arms down to sides and coming up onto your right toes (an option for some may be to flex the foot and lift the right knee or to step the right foot onto a block), inhale arms up while  the right foot comes to rest on the ground, exhale bringing hands to heart center.  Repeat on the other side.