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Happy Asana August 7, 2023 – Ahimsa (Non-Harming) – Cat / Cow
Good morning Yogis! We are beginning our cycle through the Yoga Sutras, and starting with the first of the Yamas – Ahimsa or Non-Harming. Since we are in the middle of an August bonus daily Asana Challenge, we will revisit Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Cat / Cow or Marjaryasana (Mahr-jar-ee-AH-sa-nuh) / Bitilasana (Bih-Ti-LA-sa-nuh) is my choice to represent Ahimsa, since this series is a great opening series to help avoid injury, by gently opening and warming up the back at the beginning Asana practice!
Bonus Daily Asana Challenge
We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for August! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to youtube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Ahimsa Day today, I recommend a gentle Yin or Restorative class.
I usually practice with the Yoga Studio App rather than streaming services, so I can download my favorite classes and use in areas without Wifi or phone signal. Today I am doing one of my favorites – Beginner Combination (30 Minute), which includes a cat/cow opening!
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try some Cat/Cows for Ahimsa Day! This is a common opening pose series for all levels Yogis and all styles of Yoga. We will talk about how to get into both variations from Table Top or Bharmanasana today! Start in Table Top – with hands directly under shoulders, and knees directly under hips.
If you would prefer an off-the-mat practice for Ahimsa Day – perform a random act of kindness!
Want more Ahimsa practices? Check out our Ahimsa Guide!
Click image above for our Yoga Ab Workout!
Marjaryasana – Cat Pose
Feet & Legs – Start in Bharmanasana / Table Top or Bitilasana / Cow, with tops of feet laying on the mat. Your legs should stay hip-distance apart in table top. You will keep both knees and feet grounded on the mat in table top through both Asana / poses!
Hips – Turn your tailbone under and bring your hips forward on an exhale to come into Marjaryasana / Cat from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Bitilasana / Cow.
Torso – On the exhale, you will curl your spine and get as much of a rounding in your back as possible in this pose.
Arms – On the exhale, press your palms into the mat as you curve your back, pressing the mat away from you.
Head and Neck – Curl your head and neck under in line with the rest of your spine, and gaze back at your thighs.
YOGA TEACHERS – see more on Tummee
Bitilasana – Cow Pose
Feet and Legs – Start in Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat, with tops of feet laying on the mat. Your legs should stay hip distance apart in table top. You will keep both knees and feet grounded on the mat in table top through both Asanas / poses!
Hips – Turn your tailbone up and stick your booty out on the inhale to come into Bitilasana / Cow from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat.
Torso – On the inhale, you will drop your belly and get as much of a chest opener and curve in the back as comfortable.
Arms – On the inhale, pull back on the mat with your hands to pull your torso forward for more of a chest opening.
Head and Neck – Pull head and neck up and forward from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat, gazing straight ahead.
YOGA TEACHERS – see more on Tummee
Come into Bitilasana / Cow on inhales, and Marjaryasana / Cat on exhales. Repeat a few times. I recommend this series to stretch and warm up the spine and torso at the beginning of Asana practice!
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More for Yoga Teachers
YOGA TEACHERS – see more on Tummee
More Positive Practices
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Related Positive Practices
Share your Practice
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried Cat / Cow before? Always remember, be kind!