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, have great 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 flow, and getting oxygen flowing to your brain, is what makes yoga so powerful for recovery. Yoga is also a time to quiet the mind by helping anxiety and distracting thoughts drift away.
Warrior III Pose (Virabhadrasana III) is an intermediate pose that adds a balance challenge to the standing Warrior sequence. It’s an energizing pose that will help you build lower body and core strength, as well as mental focus.
Some of its many physical benefits include strengthening the legs, building core strengths, and improving balance.
Instructions:
- Begin in a lunge with your right foot forward, knee bent 90 degrees over the foot and your rear leg extended.
- Lean forward and bring your weight into your right (forward) foot. Keep your left knee bent as you begin to lift your left foot up.
- Straighten your right leg and continue to position your torso parallel to the floor.
- Extend your left leg straight back, while reaching your arms forward.
- Keep both hips level and pointing toward the floor.
- Keep your upper foot flexed with your toes pointing to the floor, actively engaging the leg muscles.
- Bring your arms back to your side when you are ready.
- Bend your right leg to step back into Warrior I
- Repeat the pose on the other side.
Adjustments and modifications:
– Beginners may wish to do this pose by a wall, either facing the wall with your hands on the wall, or turning around and bringing your lifted foot onto the wall.
- You can also hold onto a chair for balance.
Join me for weekly accessible yoga classes for only $10 a month through my
Patreon membership site: www.patreon.com/amyzellmer
