Spring is in the air and the almondtree is the first to flower.  

  In the beginning was the Dao.

 All things issue from it,

 All things return to it

In memory to a dear friend.

Peacock

Mayurasana: the peacock. This is an advanced position, requiring a good sense of balance and strength in the arms and back.

Start in Vajrasana, diamond position ('seiza' in Japanese martial arts). Join the arms at the elbows and hands, placing hands on the floor, palms down, fingers pointing towards the toes. Keep the hands and elbows firmly in place during this asana. Lowering the forehead to the mat, bring the abdomen down against the elbows, supporting the body. Slooooowly stretch the legs backwards. Inhale and raise both of the legs from the floor as you balance on the hands. Now raise also the head, by rolling the eyes to the sky. Keep breathing! Exhale, putting the knees back on the ground and come back to Vajrasana.

Excellent for strengthening stomach muscles, wrists, and shoulders. The blood circulation in the internal organs is increased, improving digestion. Aids in eliminating toxins from the body. This is an excellent pose for invigorating the entire body. 

Forward bend

  

Paschimottanasana: one way of performing this asana is to sit on the floor with legs straight in front of you. Lean forward slightly and wiggle so you feel that you are sitting on the buttocks as you would on a chair. Now sit erect and, inhaling, stretch arms straight above the head palms touching. Exhaling bend forward reaching for the toes. Let the head come down towards the knees: knees are kept straight. Hold this position several seconds. Inhaling, come back to the sitting position. Once we are comfortable with this position, we can also hold the position longer while breathing comfortably. This asana can also be performed from a standing position, then sometimes referred to as "the storck".

This asana (posture) restores elasticity to the muscles, makes the spine flexible, tones abdomen and inner organs. Relaxes and makes the mind more flexible. Also a good posture for diabetics.

About Yoga

"Union of the physical and the spiritual" is one way of defining Yoga. It is the art of relaxing the body and silencing the mind to open ourselves to the universal energy in and around us. It is a way of life in which the body and the natural world are experienced as an expression of the Divine. We honour and respect the Divine by respecting our body and the world around us, through awareness of our breath, thoughts and body.  

At the core of the many different kinds of Yoga is awareness and mastery of our vital energy to live a healthy, peaceful and joyful life.

The practice of pranayama (breathing exercises), asanas (postures), relaxation and meditation maintains or regains flexibility of the body allowing a free flow of vital energy (prana, qi or light), in harmony with the world around us.

Yoga is a gentle way of moving the body which is suitable for all ages.