Not everyone can do all yoga poses, but everyone can do all yoga actions.
In each of our books, the journey toward calm abiding with clear seeing is laid out in beginner, intermediate and integration yoga actions and sequences. Yoga Actions for Shoulders & Arms is the fifth in what has now become a six-volume series of print and e-books emphasizing actions in focused areas of our bodies — Feet & Ankles, Legs & Knees, Pelvis & Psoas, Torso & Spine. We recently added The Yoga Actions Glossary, which is still in production. Within every volume, each yoga action is displayed in a two-page layout with the first page describing the action and visually demonstrating the experience through a Pre Pose, followed by a five-pose Peak sequence to further expand your experience of the action. Finally, we follow each sequence with Plus Poses to further develop the action and Post Poses to fully relax the body and integrate the asana experience.
We encourage you to read the yoga action on the first page and then apply it with the Pre Pose. If you do not immediately feel the action in your body, continue using it for the sequence (Peak Poses) on the following page as well as the Plus Poses. It may take two or three poses or a full practice sequence before you awaken the area of emphasis. Additionally, you may wish to include poses that you know create greater opening for your own body. Gaining awareness and accepting what is true for you are two rewards emerging from the many wonders of a yoga practice. Yoga emphasizes whole-being wellness so continue to incorporate the actions from our previous books that most suit your current needs.
Our yoga actions and breath regulation practices engage your willpower (emotion and thoughts) to regulate the breath and body. You may also wish to practice holding your awareness on the sensations that arise during your practice. When we hold our awareness on sensation, we are witnessing, rather than willing, the collective action of mind, body and spirit in whatever healing and transformation is needed.
Thank you for joining us. We are all being called to awaken, and the yoga path to truth feeds all.
Namaste,
Helen & Candace
