Hugging the Knees

Although this is not exactly a yoga asana or posture, it is a delightful exercise to relax the body, the breath and the mind.

It also helps to alleviate lower back pain and give a gentle massage to your tummy and internal organs. Whenever you feel you can't go on during a yoga practice, just lie on your back, hug your knees and enjoy.

Lie on back. Gently bend knees, bringing them up towards chest. Take arms over shins and hug knees. Take care not to arch the neck. Breathe regularly. You can gently rock from side to side to give the lower back a nice massage.Inhale. Keep hugging the right (or left) knee, extend the other leg down towards the floor and flex into the heel. Exhale. Inhale and change legs.

(Pictures by Spirit of Light Yoga Studio, Terry de Vries, Stellenbosch (021) 883-9938)