Iyengar Yoga for Upper body strength
In this class, we will focus on the relationship between the wrists, hands, forearms, and shoulders.
How do we create power from the ground up?
Various movements will be done to bring flexibility and mobility to these areas. The hand is the most versatile structure in the human body with 27 bones of which 8 carpal bones are located in the wrists. These bones are interspersed with joints and filled with fluid for protection against friction. The strong tendons coming from the forearm muscles which extend to the fingers are responsible for the dexterity and fine turning movement of the wrists.
The shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers are closely connected with each other as well as the cervical spine and neck region. One area of weakness affects all the rest. The same is for strengthening each area, this coordination will bring support to the entire unit for flexibility, stability, strength, and overall health.
All these connections help us to have the ability to stand on our hands and arms in arm balancing positions. It is with this awareness we can move with intelligent action in a balanced and strong way.
This sequence includes:
Wrist Stretching Pose
Urdhva Baddhanguliyasana ( Arm Stretch Pose )
Adho Mukha Svanasana ( Downward Dog )
Plank Pose
Vasisthasana ( Side Plank Pose )
Pada Hastasana ( Hand under Foot Pose )
Paschima Namaskarasana ( Reverse Prayer Pose )
Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana ( One Legged Downward Dog )
Lolasana ( Pendant Pose )
Eka Hasta Bhujasana ( Trunk Pose )
Adho Mukha Vrksasana ( Hand Stand )
Savasana ( Corpse Pose )