Costa Rica and Nicaragua!
OK. Ya'll are going to think I am the Queen of Travel, but, promise, this year is pretty unique. Just bought tickets to fly into Costa Rica, with plans to make a foray into Nicaragua. I have to make a final decision about where I am moving in January, and I'm getting one last trip in before I won't be able to make any for awhile. If anyone has any wonderful places they love, or have heard great things about, in either country, I would love the advice. Guide books can make me feel pretty burned out, so human advice is appreciated.
This sequence, in honor of my vacation destinations of choice, will be tropical in theme. If you live in SoCal or some other balmy destination, practice on the beach in honor of all those who cannot. If you live in Northeast Canada, or some other chilly locale, you might want to keep your body on the mat, but you can always envision the warm ocean breeze.
This sequence, in honor of my vacation destinations of choice, will be tropical in theme. If you live in SoCal or some other balmy destination, practice on the beach in honor of all those who cannot. If you live in Northeast Canada, or some other chilly locale, you might want to keep your body on the mat, but you can always envision the warm ocean breeze.
Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Lie on your back to begin practice. If you want, position your mat in the rays of the sun by a window. Even on the chilliest of days, the sunlight can heat you up pretty quickly.
- Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
- Breath in warmth and sunlight, exhale to imagine the sun running from your head to your toes. Meditate on the vision of warmth.
- Supta Kapotanasana (Reclined Pigeon). Come into this gently, warming up the hips
- Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose).
- Fold forward over Gomukhasana legs
- Table
- Cat/cow in table
- Repeat steps 3-7
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
- Lifting one leg, move forward into plank, bringing leg towards forehead. Repeat until warmed.
- Repeat steps 9 and 10 other side
- Garbasana (Child's Pose). (If needing a break for arm muscles)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana
- Lifting one leg, draw circles with knee. Pause for hip opening stetch.
- Repeat steps 13 and 14 other side
- Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Kripalu Ardha Chandrasana (Kripalu-style Half Moon Pose). Raising arms above head, side stretch. Repeat other side
- Keeping arms raised, slight back-bend, chest-opener
- Uttanasana
- Tadasana
- Vrksasana (Tree Pose). Imagine yourself as a seaside tree. If you sway, it's in a gentle breeze. Inhale to raise your arms towards the sun, growing as a tree. Open your chest to clean, fresh air. Hold for 5-10 breaths
- Repeat other side
- Sun Breaths, repeat 12x
- Vinyasa to lying on back
- Taking your body into an "X" (arms and legs spread), exhale to curl into small ball, inhale to return to X. Repeat 12x
- Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined twist)
- Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall Pose), done with legs in air (not against wall). Hold for 5-10 breaths, engaging core.
- Sirsasana (Headstand). Headstand are way easier, for me, on the beach. The sand itself seems to cradle you. There's no fear of falling onto the soft ground. Even if this isn't the case for you, use a wall if needed to feel ease, safety, and calm in this pose
- Beginning a body scan, move from your feet to your head, envisioning each part successively getting heavy and sinking into imaginary sand. Feel the heat of the sand under your hands, the rays of the sun warming your body from the inside out.
