Yoga in the Green Room

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am thrilled that Emma Frisch, one of my nearest and dearest, is currently a contestant on Food Network Star. Just in case you haven't been keeping up with the shows (and-- obviously-- you should be; they're amazing), on the last episode they have a clip of Emma and one of her co-contestants doing yoga while waiting to go in front of the judges. In my incredibly biased opinion, there is no better way to de-stress than to practice a few minutes of breath-work and flows. Glad to see that worked for the divine Ms. Emma, too!

From EmmaFrisch.com and the Food Network

You can read all about her experience filming Episode Two of Food Network Star and doing yoga on air on Emma's blog. And... vote for Emma on the Food Network Star Fan Poll for Fan Favorite! You know I will.

Here's a flow of my own that I use when I need to calm my nerves, because sometimes we all feel like we're about to go out in front of judges (just, maybe, not on national television).

1. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
2. Gentle seated twist, both directions
3. Dirgha Pranayama (Three-Part Yogic Breath)
4. Garbasana (Child's pose). Hold for one minute
5. Gentle Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
6. Move between Bhujanasana to Garbasana
7. Table top position
8. Cat/Cow spine in table
9. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog). Pedal knees and "walk" in place. Take three inhales through the nose and deep, loud exhales through the mouth.
10. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
11. Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
12. Parsvottanasana (Intense Stretch Pose)
13. Anjaneyasana (Kneeling Lunge Pose)
14. Vinyasa to repeat 9-13 on other side
15. Vinyasa to standing
16. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold). Hold for 2-3 minutes
17. Take hands to lower back for gentle back bend/chest opener
18. Vinyasa to floor
19. Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle)
20. Purvatanasana (Front Stretch Pose)
21. Supta Pavana Muktasana (Reclined Wind Relieving Pose)
22. Repeat other side
23. Take both knees into chest and gentle rock side to side
24. Supta Madhyasana (Reclined Twist Pose)
25. Repeat other side
26. Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall Pose)
    
27. End with seated meditation, focusing on deep, even breaths.