Beautiful Hands

This week we explore the hand and extend gratitude for how amazing it is! In Hatha Yoga, sometimes the hands are part of our foundation. This enables us to open the spine in a supported way, such as in Cat/Cow or Downward Facing Dog. When done with proper alignment and action, these poses (asanas) also strengthen the underside of the forearm. All too common is a tight forearm on the top and weakness on the bottom. Paying close attention to where your hand roots down and where it lifts up can help to combat future problems in the wrist and hand that are a result of this muscular imbalance.

When the hands are on the ground, root or ground the four corners--the base knuckle of the index finger, the base knuckle of the pinkie finger, the base of the thumb mound or inner mound at the base of the palm, and the fleshy part on the outer base of the palm. The lift comes from three points (like the feet), but you can mainly focus on the center of the palm lifting--especially at the carpel tunnel or grove at the center of the base of the palm. If this sounds too complex, just ask me at class next week and I'll show you. It's easier to see than say!

Work with poses such as bowing (sit back on your feet and reach your hands forward in front of you on the floor), table top (on all fours), and downward dog to see what your hands are doing.

Remember to be grateful for what you CAN DO! There's an awareness of what we'd like to change--be it placement of the hands, our relationships, our jobs, how patient we are, or whatever. However, there is NOT a judgement of failure or not being "good enough." Find what is working. Can you feel your hands? Can you place them in prayer position and find the root and rise? Are you sometimes patient? Do you have some pluses in your relationships? Does your job pay for things you enjoy or need?

So when we look for something or want to make a change in our life, it isn't with judgement or dwelling on what we don't want. It's an awareness surrounded by attention and gratitude for what is working and what we'd like to see more of.

Namaste,

Kris Kramer
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/
http://www.totalhealthyoga.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!