Both static and flowing yoga asanas are shown demonstrating strength and flexibility along with images from morning walks and meals.
[1]
YOGA PROGRESS
ENHANCING
WHOLE BODY MOBILITY
MOVING BEYOND THE DEEP SQUAT
ENJOYING
MY
'SPIDERMAN-LIKE' POSTURE
13 JULY
The ability to express this version of an iconic comic book figure from my youth and later a popular movie personality was more than fun.
___
Moving from a deep squat into the static asana shown above was a prelude towards achieving more challenging mobility goals.
NOTE
I identified mobility limitations and successfully selected whole body movements that would help to address deficiencies.
Among others, practicing the HORSE SQUAT and the LOW FORWARD SPLIT were especially effective to enable me to move better.
***
SIGNIFANCE
OF
THE
HORSE SQUAT
GAINING
STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY
I enhanced my leg and pelvic girdle muscle strength and flexibility by practicing variations of the HORSE SQUAT shown above.
NOTE
Over time I gained the ability to hold a position having the floor of the pelvic girdle parallel to the mat, knees forming a 90 degree angle.
It became possible to maintain this asana for several minutes with controlled breathing.
BENEFIT
OF
HEALTHTY & STRONG KNEES
AT
74
Possessing fully functional knees as a geriatric has facilitated my ability to enter into the HORSE SQUAT and other asanas including various forms of lunges.
Enhancing current knee strength and flexibility were essential as I prepared for more challenging movements.
***
ALSO
ACKNOWLEDGING
THE
VALUE
OF
LOW FORWARD SPLITS
LOW FORWARD SPLITS also contributed to increasing the flexibility of leg and pelvic girdle muscles and connective tissues as well as joint range of motions (ankles, knees and hips).
ACHIEVING
A
LONG SOUGHT MOBILITY GOAL
SHARING
A
VIDEO
DEMONSTRATING
FLOWING
SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENTS
HANDS-FREE
A
REWARDING
EXPERIENCE
Being able to moveas shown in the video is both satisfying and motivating - further evidence that age does not have to limit opportunities to improve whole body mobility.
I can recall past experiences during 2011 - 2017 evening group classes and morning one-on-one partner sessions in THE YOGA LOFT when these deep, full leg extensions and controlled flowing side to side, hands-free movements were not possible on my own.
_______
YOGA
BENEFITS
FROM
WALKING
My time focused on gaining additional leg and pelvic girdle strength has been facilitated by daily walking.
[1]
Walking daily for 4.3 years (= 1,573 consecutive days to date) has led to good muscle tone and cardiovascular benefits - both aiding my daily morning and evening yoga sessions.
[2]
It has also helped to maintain a current weight (116.2 pounds) - similar to values experienced during my adolescent high school days.
&
Maintaining a lean body type has contributed to making whole body mobility improvements more accessible - especially when attempting challenging yoga asanas.
[3]
Walking daily under the night sky, early dawn approaching sunrise and afterwards has been a mental health tonic - a tranquil period to enjoy the sights & sounds during +/- 90 minutes.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
HAVE
INCLUDED
AN OFTEN CHANGING SKY
DIVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
POSSIBLY
CLEAR, FOG, DRIZZLE, LIGHT & HEAVY RAINFALL
BIRD SONGS
ORININATING FROM TREES, COMMUNICATION WIRES
RABBITS OF ALL AGES SEEN EVERYWHERE
ON OCCASIONS
COYOTES, SKUNKS, SQUIRRELS, WILD TURKEY
[2]
EARLY MORNING
WALKING
(8 JULY - 4 AUGUST)
Early morning walks during these 28 days have begun between 3:30 - 4:00 am.
Milder temperatures in the 60's and 70's during this period allowed me to dress lightly - often wearing a white hat, tee shirt, shorts and carrying a walking stick and some water.
______
Birdsongs that were frequently heard during early July became less frequent by the end of the month.
No sounds from birds were heard during my August walks.
SHARING 15 IMAGES
DURING
THE
TRANSITION
FROM NIGHT TO DAY
NOTE
These photos highlight experiences before, at and after sunrise.
As night was transitioning to daylight, I intentionally did not edit original photos and maintained the lower light levels.
ALSO
A
COMMENT ABOUT LIGHT SOURCES
Diverse lighting of variable brightness from street and building sources created interesting visual experiences not appreciated during the afternoon daylight hours.
1
**
CLEAR NIGHT SKY
PARTIAL MOON, STAR
BEFORE SUNRISE
AT
PAKACHOAG GOLF COURSE
22 JULY 2025
MOON APPEARS SMALLER IN PHOTO
THAN IN THE
SKY
2
**
ENCROUCHING FOG
MODIFYING VISUAL REALITY
IT IS MORE STRIKING STANDING NEARBY
3
**
STARK CONTRASTS
BEFORE SUNRISE
LOOKING AT CLUBHOUSE
LIGHT SOURCE
SIMULTANEOUS SENSATION OF LIGHT & DARK
4
**
PARALLEL SHADOWS
LIGHT REVEALS DARKNESS
A TIME SENSITIVE EXPERIENCE
5
**
ILLUMINATED FENCE
BY
INCIDENT LIGHT
SOUCE FROM SENIOR CENTER
6
**
SUNRISE APPROACHES
EARLY WATERING
PAKACHOAG GOLF COURSE
7
**
YUCCA PLANT
AS
DAYLIGHT EMERGES
NOTE
BASE LEAVES, ELEVATED STALKS
BLOSSOMS WILL BE GONE IN DAYS
8
**
MATURE BLOSSOMS
TRUMPET SHAPED, FACING GROUND
9
**
MOON REFLECTION IN PUDDLE
AN
UNLIKELY
YET
ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE
THIS BROUGHT A SMILE
10
**
DANDELLION SEEDS
INTACT OVALS BEFORE DISPERSAL
ON
AUBURN SENIOR CENTER LAWN
11
**
CONTRASTS
YOUNG FERN PLANTS, OLD ROCKS
12
**
EPHERMRAL MUSHROOMS
MATURE
FRUITING BODIES ON EXPOSED LAWN
FUNGUS THRIVES BELOW GROUND
13
**
COLORFUL FLOWERS
MATURE
HYDRANGEA VARIETY
14
**
LONE WILD TURKEY
PECKING AT VEGETATION
FIRST TIME SEEING THIS BEHAVIOR
15
**
LICHENS ON STONE WALL
COMPOSED
OF
ALGAE & FUNGUS
(SOME ALSO WITH BACTERIA)
SLOWLY BREAKING DOWN STONE
OVER GEOLOGIC TIME
____
I ALSO
SAW
ADVERTISING
OF
COMMUNITY EVENTS
AT
THE
PAPPAS RECREATIONAL CENTER
WEEKLY
SUMMER CONCERTS and a FARMERS MARKET
___
The FARMERS MARKET banner and printed signs were both reminders of the nutritious local produce available to the public at this time of the year.
NOTE
For many years I have made nutrition a lifestyle focus.
I have been making informed nutrition choices that would support daily life activities including both yoga and walking physical activities.
ENJOYING
LOCALLY SOURCED
NUTRITION
AT
THE ROSE ROOM CAFE
WEBSTER, MA
JESS SABINE
OWNER
__
EATING REAL FOOD
SUCH AS
A CUSTOMIZED WRAP
SCRAMBLED EGG WITH
POTATO, TOMATO & GREENS
HAS BEEN A DAILY OBJECTIVE
Plant-based foods along with some dairy but no meat have continued to be my primary sources of nutrition.
&
Supplements I added daily to purchased meal selections have included diverse vegetables, mixed nuts and various fruits.
NOTE
During this past month no pastry was eaten resulting in a notable weight loss.
As in the past, I enjoyed the available Kangen water with my meals while eliminating coffee for health reasons.
___
RECOGNIZING
&
APPRECIATING
A
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
My daily morning meals have been prepared by a skilled and friendly group of individuals.
These dedicated employees have contributed to making THE ROSE ROOM CAFE a welcoming, enjoyable environment.
