by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief
Yoga is a powerful tool for recovery after brain injury. Contrary to some beliefs, everyone can do yoga — you don’t need to be super flexible, be able to balance, or even be able to stand up. The beauty of yoga is that every pose can be modified to accommodate anyone.
An important aspect of yoga is your breath. Connecting your breath to your body and getting oxygen flowing to your brain makes yoga powerful for recovery. Yoga also quiets the mind and lets anxiety and distracting thoughts drift away.
Bird dog pose (Parsva Balasana) helps strengthen and stabilize the core, strengthen the low back, enhance your ability to balance, and boost brain function through the use of contralateral relationships between the arms and legs.
As a core stabilizer, bird dog is easier on your back than crunches or sit-ups. The pose also engages the hyoid bone — a small bone at the top of your throat used for swallowing and also helping determine our posture.
Instructions:
- Begin on your hands and knees. You may wish to place a yoga blanket under your knees for extra padding.
- As you inhale, extend your right arm forward, straightening your elbow (be careful not to hyperextend). At the same time, extend your left leg straight back without lifting your leg above your pelvis (which can cause stress on your lower back).
- Stay for a few breaths.
- As you exhale, bring your hand and knee back to the mat.
- Repeat on the other side.
Modifications:
- If you notice your pelvis tipping or your weight shifting as you lift your leg, keep your foot on the floor with the knee extended instead of bringing it up.
- You may wish to come to child’s pose in between sides.
- If you would like to practice bird dog pose in a chair, simply bring the right arm overhead, and the left leg out in front and follow the rest of the steps above.
Join me for monthly yoga classes via zoom for only $10 a month: www.patreon.com/amyzellmer
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- Accountability & Connection: Share your goals, overcome writer’s block, and enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside others on their own creative journeys.
- Whether you’re crafting a novel, drafting blog posts, planning social media content, or developing a product or email series for your business, this group is here to help you stay on track and make your creative dreams a reality.
If this sounds like the support you need, I’d love for you to join us! For just $108 a year—about the cost of a fancy coffee drink each month—you’ll have a year of inspiration, connection, and dedicated writing time.
Ready to prioritize your creativity? Click [here] to secure your spot in our Virtual Writing Group. We start September 4th!!
I can’t wait to see what you create!](https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/458341018_483345868037283_1467344792046745902_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=6-U_b0ZNcRQQ7kNvgECTgHg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=AR2fHWh7tBgephvsy_2FqwJ&oh=00_AYBEVLDMLeugLAFWh8UabNCgEhWYeBvy8hTNaiAUKIl2Ww&oe=6743A61F "We start TONIGHT —
join my virtual writing group for a rare chance to work directly with me while completing your writing project
Are you finding it hard to carve out time for writing and creativity?
Life gets busy, and it can be challenging to prioritize your creative projects—whether you’re working on:
a book,
blog posts,
social media content,
or even crafting an email series or a new product for your business.
That’s why I’ve created our Virtual Writing Group—a dedicated space where you can focus on your writing, whatever form it takes, and connect with a community of like-minded creatives.
JOIN NOW: https://creatingwellnessfromwithin.com/writinggroup/
Why Join?
- Monthly Writing Sessions: We meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 PM CST. This is your time to sit down, focus, and make progress on your writing projects.
- Creative Community: No matter what you’re writing, you’ll find support and inspiration from fellow writers who understand the challenges and rewards of the creative process.
- Accountability & Connection: Share your goals, overcome writer’s block, and enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside others on their own creative journeys.
- Whether you’re crafting a novel, drafting blog posts, planning social media content, or developing a product or email series for your business, this group is here to help you stay on track and make your creative dreams a reality.
If this sounds like the support you need, I’d love for you to join us! For just $108 a year—about the cost of a fancy coffee drink each month—you’ll have a year of inspiration, connection, and dedicated writing time.
Ready to prioritize your creativity? Click [here] to secure your spot in our Virtual Writing Group. We start September 4th!!
I can’t wait to see what you create!")
