Squat Pose – Malasana
Benefits: The effect of a squat for body and mind is both grounding and quieting. Reduce stress and anxiety, fatigue and depression.
Squatting is one of the most effective ways to tone the entire lower body. Keeps your hip joints healthy and increases flexibility and improves balance.
This pose also increases the blood circulation in the pelvic region, which may improve sexual functioning, bladder control, instigates metabolism and digestive health.
It may prepare the body of pregnant woman for birth and it is a great pose for women when they are on their period.
This wonderful post reminds me of our amazing (retired) doctor who said that you will never suffer strength/balance issues while (S)aging if you continue to do squats daily:) He was so physically fit as was his wife and they retired in their 70’s to have more time to hike in mountains!! This simple and easy exercise from Doris brought that memory to mind right before a birthday for me:) Doris, thank you!! You keep us all with healthy eyes on the prize of living well and living long, this song and dance called Life–Many, many blessings!!
This video is such a perfect example of how many different ways Doris knows how to support the body in order for the body to be able to do the pose. The blanket under your heels…..that is such a simple thing to do…..and yet such a powerful way to support your body….if there is an injury or pain in that area.
I had numerous abdominal surgeries and one left very severe scar tissue on the right side of my abdomen and pelvic floor. When I walk to long or other things that hurt it….I feel a pain best described as sore and sprained.
Once it feels that way I am not able to do much and can’t walk far. Can’t do wide straddle and many other things…..I activated the pain in this area a few days before the last live class and it was really hurting me in front but also in my low back and by my tailbone bc the scar tissue pulls on both the front and the back area that it is between.
When I joined live class…..Doris always has this gift of noticing something and comes up with a pose that helps the area move and get blood flow to it. She did a twist and stretch for the front groin/pelvis region and hip joint in low back area….with the bolster…..and it stabilized the area that was hurt. I am 2 days out since the class and am feeling much better. No sharp shooting pains and no sprained feeling. Only a little sore still. Low back and hip are feeling stronger today also and less pain as well.
I love how Doris gives us the recording for 3 days after the live class…..bc it allows me and others to leave early….if need be……and watch the recording at another time to do what was missed or do the whole class again…..which is what I do. This also allows Doris to thoroughly do what she does best…..which is calm the mind and open the body. Each pose has to have time for us to surrender into bc that is when the real benefit comes. If we don’t have that…..we don’t experience what Doris knows is needed and will happen. That is the therapy part of the yoga she does.
Her work is hands down amazing and I truly was shocked that she was able to tune in and figure out a specific way to place our leg on the bolster and twist our body around to get just the right area stretched in an elevated position which allowed the stretching of the injured sprained feeling area in my pelvis…..that was needed.
I don’t know if she planned that pose for class that day or if she had it come to her during class but either way….that is just 1 example of her ability to tune in and feel and see what our bodies are doing….and know what is needed for us to feel better.
It is a gift that I have never seen before!!!
I am so grateful for you Doris. You are such a kind and giving person and I so appreciate you!!
You don’t worry about the time…..you tune in and do all that is needed for everyone to leave feeling better.
You always light up the room too!!☺️💞💞💞💞💞💞💞☺️
Thank you!!
Namaste lovely lady….🧡🧡🧡