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

Yoga Evidence Of A Healthy, Mobile Senior

Bob Crowther (65) today begins his seventh year of hatha yoga enjoying relatively good whole body mobility.

My daily yoga activities during this time have gradually contributed to improved physical movements without pain or discomfort.

I am pleased to share four asanas documenting progress twisting my spine, torso from various positions.

> Bound, Revolved Body Motions

Bob
This Remains Among My Favorite, More Challenging Asanas

Demonstrating

Strength, Balance, Joint & Muscle Flexibility, Easy Breathing

 Note Twisting Of Raised Torso, More Limited Head Rotation
Movement Of Right Shoulder Backwards, Alignment with Legs

> Sitting Side Twist

Bob
Recent Progress With Spinal Mobility

Demonstrating

Deep Twisting of Torso, More Limited Cervical Rotation
Need To Maintain More Upright Posture 

Seeking 
Alignment Of Shoulders, Back With Extended Leg, Upright Foot
Arms Straight, Both Palms Flat 

Using Right Arm, Knee Contact To Enhance Rotation

> Revolved Triangle

Bob
Another Of My Favorite Movements

Demonstrating

Deep Spinal Twist,  Locked Legs, Aligment Of Arms
Relatively Flat Back
Whole Body Mobility With Controlled Balance, Breathing

> Navasana Variation

Bob
Modified Boat Pose
Among My First Attempts In This Posture

Demonstrating
A Still Limited Rotation Of My Torso, Head To The Right

 Challenge Twisting Torso, Raising Legs, Seeking Balance
 Goal To Obtain An Ability To Align Extended Arm, Upright Legs

All my joints, muscles and various connective tissues have responded to diverse whole body yoga movements in a positive manner.

Significantly, current structural issues with my spine have not prevented me from moving better. 

Maintaining, improving on and acquiring new mobility abilities during the next twelve months will keep me motivated while having fun.

Future interactions, experiences with Ray Hoyt in The Yoga Loft will continue to offer unique opportunities to enhance my strength, balance, flexibility, breathing and mindfullness.

#BobCrowther #Yoga #RayHoyt #TheYogaLoft

Yoga, Breathing Improved With Leaner Body

Bob Crowther (65) shares four asanas demonstrating enhanced mobility, facilitated breathing with gradual weight loss.

I am pleased to share whole body movements now possible on this first day of my 70th month of hatha yoga activities.

These postures were taken in The Yoga Loft during morning one-on-one partner sessions over several months with Patty Tremblay as I was reducing my weight to 126 pounds. 


> Marichyasana Variation

Bob
Marichyasana II
 [see Iyengar 'Light On Yoga']

Demonstrating
Whole Body Mobility

Involving
Multiple Joints, Connective Tissue, Muscles
Achieving Deep Range of Motions

Ankles, Knees, Hips, Spine, Shoulders,Neck, Elbows, Wrists
Facilitated Breathing With Less Abdominal Weight

> Modifying One Leg Forward Extension 

Bob
 
Half Lotus, Dual Shoulder Motions

Demonstrating

Good Forward Torso Mobility   
 Involving
 Hips, Groin, Back, Spinal Muscles, Connective Tissues 

 Alignment Of Head Beyond Knee Of Straight Leg

Extended Arm, Palm To Foot, Fingers Towards Floor

Good Knee, Shoulder Joints Flexibility

Enhanced Range of Motions 
Of
 Legs, Hips, Back, Shoulders, Arms, Other Muscles

> Moving Towards Karnapidasana

Bob

  Halasana (Plow Pose) Variation
[Knees To Ears To Floor]

Demonstrating

Both Cervical, Lumbar Flexibility
Facilitated Breathing 

 Enhanced Spinal Muscle Lengthening

Deep Joint Mobility
Including 
Ankles, Hips, Shoulders, Neck, Arms

Asana Approached Gently, Slowly
Emphasis On Listening To Body
 [Avoiding Strain, Injury To Spine, Neck] 

> Moving Beyond Basic Malasana

Bob
Making Progress

Seeking
 Simultaneous Head, Foot Floor Contact

Demonstrating

Enhanced Forward Mobility

Lengthening Lower, Mid Back Muscles

Each of these movements became more accessible as pounds were shed gradually, most obvious from my abdominal, other torso regions.


My overall spinal mobility during the past several months has improved, expanded as I became lighter.

A future goal is to reach, maintain my adolescent high school weight (at Island Trees, NY) when running was once a passion.

My daily yoga movements contributing to breathing better with a leaner, more fit body as a senior remains my current focus, passion. 

Today I remember and celebrate J. R. Whittaker on his birthday.

I acknowledge his role that has supported my yoga activities - now approaching the end of six years.

#BobCrowther #Yoga #IslandTrees #JRWhittaker