After an emotional spring and summer, with all the devastating weather, and the Fall bringing the heart rendering but hopeful rebuilding of lives, including this weekend’s powerful remembrance of 9/11, I thought we’d look at starting anew… Refresh our minds and bodies for an exciting new season.
Olga is practicing a chair lunge that gets the circulation moving back to the brain, opens up the stress held in the hips and keeps the thigh strong. She can do this anytime of day and even while reading, talking on a conference call, or just plain contemplating her next move.
Instructions follow but before you jump into it, below I’ve provided some inspirational lyric for you to focus on as you stretch and strengthen, and move in that new direction. Be sure to scroll down and enjoy!
Olga’s Office-Yoga Chair Lunge:
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Power-up your thigh while stretching your hips and practicing balance. Kneel next to the back leg of your chair (be sure your chair is strudy and fixed – breaks on wheels if needed).
- Extend your right leg (the leg closest to the chair) back (for added balance, do this close enough to a wall that you can extend your back foot to the wall).
- Bring your left knee up and place your foot in front of you so your thigh is parallel to the floor and your shin is perpendicular – thereby making a 90 degree or right angle.
- Keep your back straight and chest and eyes forward.
- For added stretch, sink your hips toward the floor.
- Hold for 30 seconds and then switch sides.
- Work up to 45 seconds over time and repeat 2-3 times.
Be Inspired… Open a New Window:
Open a new window, Open a new door.
The [person] you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
If ever they say you’re slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose,
And show ’em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn’t fizz too long.
There’s only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev’ry day!
You’ll be smiling the same young smile
You’re smiling now…
If you wake up ev’ry mornin’
And you pull aside the shutter,
And you promise me that these’ll be
The first words that you utter
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That’s never been tried before;
Open a new window ev’ry day!
-From the 1966 hit musical comedy Mame; lyrics by Jerry Herman.
See you on the promising Fall PATH Ahead…