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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

STRIKE A POSE

Yoga is a popular holistic health practice celebrated each year during National Yoga Month to raise awareness about its physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Suitable for all fitness levels, yoga offers numerous advantages, including improved flexibility, cardiovascular health, muscle strength, posture, balance and mental well-being. With around 200 known poses and variations created by devoted yogis, yoga continues to evolve, providing countless opportunities for growth. 

Yoga also fosters self-discovery and inner peace through its introspective nature, helping practitioners connect with themselves and the world. In honor of National Yoga Month, Natural Awakenings proudly presents a special section featuring local yoga teachers sharing their favorite poses and the health benefits of each. We invite readers to explore these classes and experience the transformative power of yoga.

This month, three local yoga professionals share their favorite poses for health and healing.

SHEREE CARARA
Certified Ancient Egyptian Yoga Teacher 
(Tjef Seema Paut Neteru)
Rebirth Therapy
914-984-7858 • Virtual

Lion Pose (Horemakhet)

Lion Pose (Horemakhet)
Enter into the Lion Pose by roaring loudly like a lion while sticking your tongue out. I had never done anything similar in other yoga practices until I was introduced to the ancient Egyptian yoga system called Tjef Seema Paut Netru. This pose resonates with me because it allows me to connect with my throat chakra to release and let go of anger, frustration, judgment, self-criticism and other negative energy feelings that do not serve me but, nevertheless, are unexpressed feelings living in my body. I release all of it in my roar and with consistent practice, the negative energy has shifted to cultivate courage and fearlessness in a grounded calm way. It’s a journey! Another plus is that the posture also stimulates the muscles in the face to keep the face looking young and tight.hat it means to age well.


EDIT BABBONI, Esq., CHC, RYT-200
Certified Health Coach
Zen Garden Health Coaching & Yoga
917-721-2529 • Yorktown Heights

L-shaped Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)

L-shaped Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)
All inversion poses take us to look at the world from a different perspective; upside down. Many people are uncomfortable with inversions for the very reason that they turn our bodies upside down, often bringing about emotions of facing our fears. The physical benefit is that it brings blood and oxygen to your brain thereby sharpening your mental functions, such as focus and memory. Additionally, it can help in reducing the potential for developing dementia as well. As our heads touch the ground, we are helping to open the crown chakra which is responsible for opening us to our divine power.  This is one of my favorite poses because sometimes we just have to see the world from an upside down perspective!

JUDIT VITORES-SYPHER, RYT-200
Hatha Yoga Instructor & Reiki Master
Judit Vitores Sypher Yoga
Classes in English and Spanish
305-216-6847 • Westchester County

Cow Face (Gomukhasana Variation)

Cow Face (Gomukhasana Variation)
This yoga posture is the easiest and safest way to enhance flexibility, relieve back pain, improve respiratory function and calm the mind. You can use a yoga pillow to correct your posture as you do it. Enhance physical and mental well-being while you take deep mindful breathes which will also help you to stay focused. Tip: if you cannot hook your hands behind your back, try the pose using a strap to help you pull your hands closer together. Hold this posture for 30 second. Repeat on each side.