Apana Vayu

The vayus are the five winds or currents of energy in the body. They help to circulate prana throughout all the systems of the body and maintain their optimal functioning. 

Apana vayu is the downward flowing energy in the body and is associated with the healthy functioning of the elimination, urinary, and reproduction systems. Associated with the lengthened exhalation, apana vayu begins at the navel and moves down through  the pelvis, legs and feet and back to the earth, providing a means of purification by which the earth can receive all that we no longer need for our path forward.  

This week's practice focuses on grounding the legs to awaken apana vayu energy bringing with it relaxation and ease.

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Apana Mudra
Grounding

Touch tips of thumb, middle and ring fingers together, extend index and little fingers; rest back of hands on thighs. 
Benefits: Eliminates toxins from the body, creates a sense of calm
How it Works: The thumb (fire) joins the index (earth) and middle (ether) fingers. Energy from the head and digestion is drawn downwards as the fingers point towards the earth, Apana Vayu is enhanced.
Practice Tips: Use when you need to feel safe and tranquil
Contraindications: Low blood pressure

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Reclining Mountain Pose at Wall
Supta Tadasana

Lay at the wall with the feet against the baseboard and legs straight. Be close enough to the wall so that you can easily ground the legs into the floor and the feet into the wall. Notice how the floor gently draws the back of the pelvis down toward the heels. Rest the flat palms on the belly in Trimurti mudra. Imagine breathing in through the navel and exhaling down through the pelvis, legs and feet into the wall. If this is difficult to imagine, engage the quadriceps and press into the floor/wall a bit extra when you exhale to engage this downward energy.

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Reclining Thumb to Big Toe Pose I at Wall
Supta Padangusthasana I

Lay at the wall with the feet against the baseboard and legs straight. Be close enough to the wall so that you can easily ground the legs into the floor and the feet into the wall. Draw your right knee into your chest and lengthen the left leg onto the floor. Wrap a strap around the ball of your right foot and extend the leg into the air. Reach the hands up the strap until the elbows are straight but the shoulders are still grounded. Hold for 10-20 breaths.
Therapeutics: Stretches the hamstrings, calves, buttock; also releases tension in the lower back.

• Video instruction available

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Reclining Thumb to Big Toe Pose II at Wall
Supta Padangusthasana II

Lay at the wall with the feet against the baseboard and legs straight. Be close enough to the wall so that you can easily ground the legs into the floor and the feet into the wall. Place a block on the outside of the right hip. Wrap strap around the ball of the right foot, extend the leg and hold the strap in just the right hand. Externally rotate your leg and as you exhale , lower the leg directly out to the side so that the outer thigh rests on the block. Extend the foot into the strap and reach the left arm out to the side keeping the left hip on the floor. To release, use the inner thigh to draw the leg up to center. Hold for 10-20 breaths then release to center.
Therapeutics: Stretches the hamstrings, calves, inner thigh, outer hip and buttock; also releases tension in the lower back.

• Video instruction available

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Reclining Thumb to Big Toe Pose III at Wall
Supta Padangusthasana III

Lay at the wall with the feet against the baseboard and legs straight. Be close enough to the wall so that you can easily ground the legs into the floor and the feet into the wall. Place a block on the outside of the right hip. Wrap strap around the ball of the right foot, extend the leg and hold the strap in the left hand and slowly bring the leg across the body as you twist the lower body, keeping the shoulders on the floor and the right arm out to the side. To release, drop the right hip into the floor and allow the leg to follow. Hold for 10-20 breaths then release to center.
Therapeutics: Stretches the outer hamstrings, calves, outer hip, buttock; also releases tension in the lower back.

• Video instruction available

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Chair Pose at Wall
Utkatasana

Begin in Tadasana in frotn of wall. Bend both knees and lean pelvis back to wall, then lower pelvis slightly, grounding the thighs. Inhale hands either to hips, arms parallel to floor or overhead. Exhale and lean torso forward from hips as you sit back bending the knees. Be sure that the knees do not go forward of the ankles and do not arch the lower back excessively. 
Hold 5-10 breaths and release.
Therapeutics: Strengthens legs, core and lower back

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Half Standing Forward Bend at Wall
Ardha Uttanasana 

Begins standing in Tadasana about six inches from wall. Bend forward from hips and place fingertips on either floor, blocks or tops of knees with arms straight. Press hips back into wall and feet into floor. Open heart forward and draw thighs and sit bones back. 
Hold for 10 breaths, release into Uttanasana.
Therapeutics: Stretches front torso, backs of legs

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Downward Facing Dog at Wall
Adho Mukha Svanasana 

Stand facing the wall and place hands on wall at chest height, shoulders distance apart, fingers spread wide. Step feet back until you can press hips back directly over heels. Try not to let the head drop below the arms and widen the shoulder blades across the back body to help support the weight of your torso. Engage the belly and use the quadriceps to press the tops of the thighs back, bending knees if necessary.
Hold for 10-20 breaths
Therapeutics: Stretches the back body, grounds the thighs and opens the shoulders. 

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Tree Pose at Wall
Vrksasana 

Stand with right side facing wall, Engage legs and bear weight on left leg only. Draw right foot onto calf or inner thigh (do not press on side of knee). Press right foot against left leg and squeeze the left leg against the right foot. Press right knee toward wall so that thigh is at a 40 degree angle. Make sure that hips are even to the floor. Draw belly in and release tail bone towards floor. Inhale and draw arms overhead without gripping shoulders. 
Hold as long as you can balance with comfort, release and change sides.
Therapeutics: Mental focus and balance, leg strength, stretches inner thighs

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Legs up the Wall

Sit beside wall. Swing legs up wall as you lay back on mat. Rest hands on lap, belly or place arms out to sides with palms facing up. Rest at least 10-15 minutes, then roll over to release. The back should be relatively flat on the floor and the legs can be slightly bent, especially if the hamstrings are tight. 
Therapeutics: Activates the Relaxation Response, reduces swelling in the legs and feet, balances the nervous system, good if you have been sitting or on your feet all day.

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