Are you a gardener who practices yoga? Spring will soon by upon us. It is incredibly gratifying as I watch the plants that I nurture grow and bloom. In yoga, we're taught that there is a sacred connection to the universe and all life around us. In nourishing plants and helping them to grow, I feel connected. The same is true in yoga.
As a gardener, I understand the importance of taking care of my physical health so I can enjoy gardening. There is no doubt that gardening can be intense physically after a day spent nurturing the garden. I have spent many evenings feeling the fatigue and soreness settle in what seems to be every part of my body after a day of kneeling, and squatting. The most important gardening tool, our hands, may also suffer from repetitive movement which can lead to tendinitis.
On many a summer day, I take the opportunity to practice yoga in a mindful and deliberate way. I practice a few poses before, during, or after my day in the garden. It does not take long and the rewards of simple yoga stretching is important to maintain our body strength and balance.
My favorite poses to incorporate while outside include:
Balancing half- moon while I pull weeds. I reach and extend, yet remain strong, grounded, and balanced so I don’t fall over.
Wide legged forward fold will release the lower back, free up the hips and stretch the hamstrings.
Hand and wrist stretches are particularly important. Any yoga pose where your hands are spread apart is great. I often spend time just wiggling my fingers and stretching my wrists by pulling them up and down.
Be creative in discovering and playing with yoga poses in your garden!
Comments