Alignment

Did you know that my mom is a yoga teacher too?! 

She wrote these nice paragraphs about alignment:

Dear Yoga Students and Friends,

Have you often wondered why there is so much focus on proper alignment in our Hatha yoga classes?  Proper alignment can  prevent injury, find the optimal position of bones and joints in relation to gravity, and open energy channels within the body. Focusing on alignment requires attention. It strengthens the body mind connection and cultivates mindfulness.

Over the years all of us develop less than optimal posture, movement  patterns and  habitual muscle tension. This is partly due to the pull of gravity and partly because of both physical and emotional injuries.  When bones are lined up with the gravitational pull rather than against it, they provide maximum support. The muscles don't have to work as hard which minimizes stiff, sore muscles, joint problems and fatigue. When aligned with gravity, the body then also finds alignment with the flow of prana allowing it to move freely through the body.  Prana is the force of life. It refreshes, rejuvenates and revitalizes. 
 
Overcoming old patterns to rediscover proper alignment takes effort. It takes retraining our muscles. At first it seems unnatural and awkward. However, as self awareness of our habitual patterns grows, we begin to make adjustments more and more often.  As we work to find  optimal alignment in yoga poses, we can also take that learning off the mat into our daily lives.

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