by Nina
In his post Friday Q&A: Sequence for the Thoracic Spine Baxter shared a short sequence of five “fantastic” poses for improving the health of your upper back. That sequence provided detailed written instructions along with photographs, the way we typically share sequences on the blog. Today I’m excited to announce we now have our first practice video of that very same sequence! Baxter has created a Fantastic Five video in which he guides you through the entire sequence for upper back health. Enjoy!
Please let us know if you find it helpful to have a practice video like this one instead of just single-pose videos.
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I just made a comment, but I am not sure whether it went forward or not. I asked about modifications of supported child's pose for large-breasted women. I have noticed in teaching that this impacts this pose a great deal and wondered about supplemental props. I wonder how you would arrange supplemental props.
And in case my enthusiasm for Yoga for Healthy Aging was also lost, thank you all for one of the best yoga blogs out there. I recommend it to all my students, most of whom, like me, are over 60.
Thanks for your question. This will likely require some creative propping and experimentation to find a set-up that is more comfortable. Please let us know if you come up with a working solution!
Re your request for the helpfulness of a multi-pose video. Yes! It is helpful to see the sequencing. I am guessing that it is very challenging to create a video that is short enough that people will watch, and still convey the sense of letting go or releasing into the pose. I barely got in half a breath in the time it took Baxter to do the whole pose. If Rama Jyoti Vernon is right in stating that relaxation is at the heart of asana, the challenge here is to condense and still suggest letting go or surrender. I don't even know if this is doable. I know I tune out when yoga is done "real time" through all but a few videos. Maybe one version at the end with full breathing?
Thanks so much. This was great! Namaste
Videos are much more helpful to me! Thanks!
I think the practice video is much more instructive and useful than a single pose video. This video on thoracic spine really hit the spot since I am recovering from a pulled muscle in that area particularly from the neck to the right trapezius.
I liked the video very much. Yoga for Healthy Aging posts are a source of inspiration for my sequence designs. I teach 50+ for the city's parks dept. The community center's vary in the supplies they offer and many don't have bolsters or more than one blanket per student but the asanas w/out props work well. Thank you!
I am concerned with leading older yogis with potential osteoporosis or osteopenia to seated spinal twists without a very lengthened spine. Initiating a seated spinal twist with upward arm pose with pressing the back arm to lengthen the spine would be a good variation to ensure maximum spinal length before the twist since twists are so important to keep us safe drivers! Thanks for your excellent video.
Kathleen, I totally agree with you regarding older students with OP. Focusing on both lengthening the spine and perhaps not taking the twist to the full rotation can also be helpful directions. Thanks!
LOVE the mini-vinyasa. I hope you'll do more.