Yoga Mobility, Balance & Form Evaluated

Bob Crowther, 66 today, uses images as a diagnostic tool to evaluate both mobility progress and current limitations of three distinct asanas.

Exploring ways to enhance whole body movements with controlled breathing has been a lifestyle choice, focus of daily activities that has extended into my seventh year.

Each of the postures shown below demonstrate different stages of abilities and my ongoing efforts to further establish and enhance the requirements for each.

My Bird Of Paradise asana was taken this past Friday morning in our studio (The Yoga Loft) during a one-on-one partner session. 

Bob

The 'Bird Of Paradise' Continues To Be A Challenging Asana
 Frequent Humbling Experiences Were The Norm For Years

Requirements For These Whole Body Movements
 Acquiring The Strength, Balance, Flexibility 
Controlling Breathing, Calming Mind

Current Focus
   To Maintain Straight Support And Elevated Legs 
  Moving Torso To Center, Each Leg To Right & Left Shoulders

This Toe Balance, Torso Twist asana was among my first efforts attempting these movements after being introduced during a group yoga class. 

Bob

'Toe Balance, Torso Twist' From January, 2017
Have Toe Strength To Support Full Body Weight

Challenges Of These Movements
To Maintain Balance, Control Breathing

Current Focus
Keeping Toes, Knees Forward As Rotating Torso & Head
 Fully Extending Arms Parallel to Floor  
 Lifting Torso Upright, Aligning Back With Feet, Legs, Arms

What I call my Spiderman pose has been a 'work in progress' for many years and continues to evolve. Coordination of shoulder, arm, hip, knee, leg and foot joints with associated connective and muscle tissues are all involved in attempting this asana.

Bob

Bound 'Spiderman' Balance Pose From January, 2017
My Stability Has Only Recently Become More Accessible 

Some Accomplishments 
 Acquiring Shoulder, Hip, Groin, Leg Muscle Flexibility

Current Focus  
To Lower Pelvic Girdle And To Extend, Maintain Straight Leg
To Raise Torso,To Enhance Bent Knee/Hip Mobility
To Keep Bent Knee More Upright

Thanks to Ray Hoyt for sharing the knowledge, providing the means to facilitate my efforts to experience whole body mobility as a 'youthful geriatric' of 66.

#BobCrowther #Yoga #Mobility #Balance #RayHoyt

Yoga Asanas Reflecting Muscle Strength, Balance

Bob Crowther (65) celebrates this first day of 2017 maintaining a relatively lean body enjoying enhanced muscle strength and better balance. 

My wrists, arms, shoulders, back and chest muscles all have become stronger from yoga activities including home practice, partner sessions and group classes.

The three images shown below demonstrate recent documentation of asana movements and form not within my abilities three years ago. 

> Astavakrasana
   Achieving A More Elevated Eight Angles Pose 

Bob
[November, 2016]

Demonstrating
Strength, Balance, Flexibility

Ability To Lift Torso Higher, Raise Head Looking Forward
Making Progress Towards A More Extended, Level Body

Can Raise, Lower Whole Body Repeatedly With Greater Facility

> Modified Padmasana [Kukkutasana]

    Towards A Higher Lift In Deeper Full Lotus 

Bob
[August, 2016]

Demonstrating
More Mobile Pelvic & Leg Joints
 Lengthened, Supple Muscles  

Continue To Improve Hip, Knee, Ankle Range of Motion
Approaching Ability To Execute An Enhanced Full Lotus Position
Evaluating Hand Placements For Better Balance, Elevation 

> Bakasana
    Further Progress With Basic Crow Pose 

Bob
[November, 2016]

Demonstrating
Wrist, Arm & Torso Strength, Body Balance

Knees On Triceps, Head Level With Knees
Looking & Leaning Forward Facilitates Balance

Working Towards Raising Feet, Lower Legs Parallel To Rug

An ability to enhance whole body movements as I age remains both rewarding, motivating.

My frequent one-on-one partner morning sessions at The Yoga Loft are a major reason for this progress.

I have noticed my breathing continues to improve as all thoracic muscles have responded to frequent twisting and rotating spinal movements along with more conventional forward, back and side bending.

Padded gloves are worn to protect both hands from two diagnosed medical issues, one on each palm: a ganglion cyst, Dupuytren's contracture.

#BobCrowther #Yoga #Strength #Balance