​​​​​​​Cheryl Fenner Brown C-IAYT​, E-RYT 500, YACEP
yogacheryl.com
  • CONTACT
    • Bio
    • Resume'
    • Press
    • Join Mailing List
    • Chat with Cheryl (30 min)
  • STUDENTS
    • Schedule >
      • Zoom FAQ
    • Private Sessions >
      • Zoom Yoga Therapy
      • Distance Reiki Sessions
    • Online Self-Care Courses >
      • 5 Days to Intention & Personal Mantra
      • 21 Days to Spring Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Summer Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Autumn Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Holiday Bliss
  • TEACHERS
    • Yoga Nidra Training (10 hrs)
    • Healing Yoga for Cancer Training >
      • Cancer Certificaiton Training (50 hours)
      • Cancer Weekend Intensives (12 hrs)
    • Yoga Therapy Mentorship (100 hrs)
    • Subtle Practices Intensive (10 hrs)
  • YOGA for CANCER
    • FREE Zoom Cancer Class >
      • Private Cancer Facebook Group
    • Cancer Home Practice Course
    • Cancer Articles & Handouts
    • Yoga for Cancer Teacher Training
    • Cancer Yoga Research
    • Cancer Patient Resources
  • YOGA ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • Chair Yoga >
      • chair: breathing
      • chair: head & neck
      • chair: hands & wrists
      • chair: arms & shoulders
      • chair: spine & torso
      • chair: hips & low back
      • chair: legs & feet
      • chair: sun salutation
      • chair: inversions
      • chair: relaxation
    • Adaptive Asana >
      • asana a to z
      • asana: 100+ sequences >
        • stick figures
      • asana: pose mythology
      • asana: warm-ups >
        • asana: reclining warm-ups
        • asana: kneeling warm-ups
        • asana: upper body warm-ups
      • asana: somatics
      • asana: core strength
      • asana: seated poses
      • asana: standing poses
      • asana: forward bends
      • asana: backbends
      • asana: twists
      • asana: inversions & arm balances
      • asana: sun salutations
      • asana: restoratives
    • Mudra >
      • mudra 101
      • mudras A to Z
      • therapeutic mudra index
      • mudra: hasta
      • mudra: meditation
      • mudra: grounding
      • mudra: energizing
      • mudra: physical healing
      • mudra: emotional healing
      • mudra: body & bandha
      • mudra practices
    • Pranayama >
      • pranayama A to Z
      • pranayama: nadis
      • pranayama: vayus
      • pranayama: calming
      • pranayama: balancing
      • pranayama: energizing
    • Yoga Nidra >
      • nidra: what is yoga nidra?
      • nidra: setting your sankalpa
      • nidra: free body scan
      • nidra: listen to yoga nidra >
        • nidra: buy yoga nidra MP3s
      • nidra: buy yoga nidra scripts
      • yoga nidra training (10 hrs)
    • Mantra & Chanting >
      • chant: sanskrit pronunciation
      • chant: vowel spiral
      • chant: meaning of om
      • chant: using a mala
      • chant: bija mantra
      • chant: chakra mantra
      • chant: creating a personal mantra
      • chant: brahmārpañam mantra
      • chant: gāyatrī mantra
      • chant: ganesh maha mantra
      • chant: mangala mantra
      • chant: mukti mudra
      • chant: pavamāna mantra
      • chant: sarasvatī sloka
      • chant: shanti mantra
      • chant: shiva panchakshara
    • Chakras >
      • chakra: quality table
      • chakra: muladhara
      • chakra: svadhisthana
      • chakra: manipura
      • chakra: anahata
      • chakra: vishuddha
      • chakra: ajna
      • chakra: sahasrara
    • Philosophy >
      • philosophy: vedanta >
        • philosophy: brahman & maya
      • philosophy: patanjali >
        • philosophy: purusha & prakriti
      • philosophy: gunas
      • philosophy: koshas
      • philosophy: doshas
      • philosophy: kleshas
    • Library
  • BLOG
  • STORE
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT
    • Bio
    • Resume'
    • Press
    • Join Mailing List
    • Chat with Cheryl (30 min)
  • STUDENTS
    • Schedule >
      • Zoom FAQ
    • Private Sessions >
      • Zoom Yoga Therapy
      • Distance Reiki Sessions
    • Online Self-Care Courses >
      • 5 Days to Intention & Personal Mantra
      • 21 Days to Spring Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Summer Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Autumn Self-Care
      • 21 Days to Holiday Bliss
  • TEACHERS
    • Yoga Nidra Training (10 hrs)
    • Healing Yoga for Cancer Training >
      • Cancer Certificaiton Training (50 hours)
      • Cancer Weekend Intensives (12 hrs)
    • Yoga Therapy Mentorship (100 hrs)
    • Subtle Practices Intensive (10 hrs)
  • YOGA for CANCER
    • FREE Zoom Cancer Class >
      • Private Cancer Facebook Group
    • Cancer Home Practice Course
    • Cancer Articles & Handouts
    • Yoga for Cancer Teacher Training
    • Cancer Yoga Research
    • Cancer Patient Resources
  • YOGA ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • Chair Yoga >
      • chair: breathing
      • chair: head & neck
      • chair: hands & wrists
      • chair: arms & shoulders
      • chair: spine & torso
      • chair: hips & low back
      • chair: legs & feet
      • chair: sun salutation
      • chair: inversions
      • chair: relaxation
    • Adaptive Asana >
      • asana a to z
      • asana: 100+ sequences >
        • stick figures
      • asana: pose mythology
      • asana: warm-ups >
        • asana: reclining warm-ups
        • asana: kneeling warm-ups
        • asana: upper body warm-ups
      • asana: somatics
      • asana: core strength
      • asana: seated poses
      • asana: standing poses
      • asana: forward bends
      • asana: backbends
      • asana: twists
      • asana: inversions & arm balances
      • asana: sun salutations
      • asana: restoratives
    • Mudra >
      • mudra 101
      • mudras A to Z
      • therapeutic mudra index
      • mudra: hasta
      • mudra: meditation
      • mudra: grounding
      • mudra: energizing
      • mudra: physical healing
      • mudra: emotional healing
      • mudra: body & bandha
      • mudra practices
    • Pranayama >
      • pranayama A to Z
      • pranayama: nadis
      • pranayama: vayus
      • pranayama: calming
      • pranayama: balancing
      • pranayama: energizing
    • Yoga Nidra >
      • nidra: what is yoga nidra?
      • nidra: setting your sankalpa
      • nidra: free body scan
      • nidra: listen to yoga nidra >
        • nidra: buy yoga nidra MP3s
      • nidra: buy yoga nidra scripts
      • yoga nidra training (10 hrs)
    • Mantra & Chanting >
      • chant: sanskrit pronunciation
      • chant: vowel spiral
      • chant: meaning of om
      • chant: using a mala
      • chant: bija mantra
      • chant: chakra mantra
      • chant: creating a personal mantra
      • chant: brahmārpañam mantra
      • chant: gāyatrī mantra
      • chant: ganesh maha mantra
      • chant: mangala mantra
      • chant: mukti mudra
      • chant: pavamāna mantra
      • chant: sarasvatī sloka
      • chant: shanti mantra
      • chant: shiva panchakshara
    • Chakras >
      • chakra: quality table
      • chakra: muladhara
      • chakra: svadhisthana
      • chakra: manipura
      • chakra: anahata
      • chakra: vishuddha
      • chakra: ajna
      • chakra: sahasrara
    • Philosophy >
      • philosophy: vedanta >
        • philosophy: brahman & maya
      • philosophy: patanjali >
        • philosophy: purusha & prakriti
      • philosophy: gunas
      • philosophy: koshas
      • philosophy: doshas
      • philosophy: kleshas
    • Library
  • BLOG
  • STORE
  • DONATE

3/3/2014

0 Comments

Pratyahara: Withdrawing the Senses

 
Pratyahara is the practice of drawing the senses inward, away from the swirl of external stimulus. Much like a turtle will draw its limbs and head inside of its shell, we often feel the need to draw ourselves inward to process, to heal and to rest. 

Picture
Kurma Mudra
Curl right middle and ring fingers into palm, turn right hand face down onto left palm and clasp the middle and ring fingers of each hand together. Touch right thumb to left inner wrist, right index finger to left thumb, right little finger to left index finger, wrap left middle, ring and little fingers around back of right hand.

Picture
Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Big Toe Pose)
Lie on the back with the legs straight and feet pressing into a wall. Place block on floor behind head and place 1/3 of sandbag on forehead the remaining 2/3 of sandbag on block. (not shown in photo) The weight on the forehead helps remind you to draw your awareness inward. You can also 
Variation I: Draw your right knee into your chest and lengthen the left leg onto the floor. Wrap a strap around the ball of your 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.
Variation II: Hold the strap in the right hand and place a block on the outside of the right hip. 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. To release, use the inner thigh to draw the leg up to center.
Tadasana Variation:
Extend both legs and press feet into the wall and thighs into the floor.


Picture
Supported Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Stand in Tadasana. Inhale arms overhead. Exhale and bend forward from hips. Engage quadriceps and draw belly in as you press heels into floor, and sit bones upwards. Support the head on a stack of blocks or on the seat of a chair (not shown). Hold up to 1 minute. Release back into Tadasana by drawing hands onto hips and lifting entire torso up as a single unit.


Picture
Supported Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend)
Stand with feet wide apart. Bend forward from hips placing hands between feet. Release spine forward with crown of head facing floor. Support the head on the floor, on a stack of blocks or on the seat of a chair. Hold up to 1 minute, then return to standing by drawing hands onto hips and lifting entire torso up as a single unit.


Picture
Supported Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
Stand with feet hips-width apart with buttocks on the wall and heels a few inches away from the 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 foot against leg and leg against foot. Draw belly in and release tail bone towards floor. Inhale and draw arms overhead without gripping shoulders. Feel free to close the eyes and bring the awareness completely within. Hold as long as you can balance with comfort, release and change sides.


Picture
Supported Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
Begin on all fours with hands slightly forward of shoulders and a block under the navel (block now shown). Turn toes under and lift knees off floor. Keep shoulders wide and palms flat, press thighs and sit bones back, scooping belly in. Rest head on the block and hold 1-3 minutes, release into Child's Pose.


Picture
Supported Setu Bandha (Bridge Pose)
Lie on back with knees bent and feet hips with apart. Inhale and lift hips away from floor, rolling onto upper back. Press arms back into floor and lengthen tail bone towards backs of knees. Place block under sacrum and rest pelvis on block. You may also Place block on floor behind head and place 1/3 of sandbag on forehead the remaining 2/3 of sandbag on block (not shown in photo). Hold 1-3 minutes and release.


Picture
Supta Balasana (Supported Child's Pose)
Kneel straddling a long bolster. Place a second bolster over first with end of bolster in front of your low abdomen. A third bolster can go under the far end of the second bolster or use a folded blanket or block to support under it. Extend front of body over second bolster and rest forehead on backs of hands. Rest up to 5 minutes. 


Picture
Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Lie on back with legs straight and feet relaxed to sides. Move arms away from sides slightly and turn palms to face ceiling. You may use support under the knees for low back pain; and a folded blanket under the head if needed. Place block under sacrum and rest pelvis on block. You may also Place block on floor behind head and place 1/3 of sandbag on forehead the remaining 2/3 of sandbag on block (not shown in photo). Rest 5-15 minutes.

0 Comments
Forward

    Index:

    • Anatomic Focus
    • Chair Yoga
    • Chakras
    • Eight Limbs
    • Koshas
    • Posture Specific
    • Prana Vayus
    • Pranayama
    • Sun & Moon Salutations
    • Therapeutic
    • Vowel Spiral
    • Yoga for Cancer 
    • Yoga Nidra
    • 2015 India Trip

    Archives:

    August 2020
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2011
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007
    October 2007
    September 2007
    August 2007
    July 2007
    June 2007
    May 2007
    April 2007
    March 2007
    February 2007
    January 2007


    RSS Feed

    I attend Cheryl's class regularly and feel that my practice has improved immensely over the past few years due to her expert coaching. Her teaching style is clear and compassionate and her previous experience in teaching adults is evident in her organized approach and easy to understand instructions. I also appreciate that Cheryl not only teaches us about how to correctly position ourselves, but also touches on many aspects of yoga philosophy, which in turn has deepened my personal practice and heightened my awareness of the connection between mind and body, breath and relaxation.​
    - L.G.

Vertical Divider
Schedule
​Private Yoga Therapy
Thai Yoga   |   Reiki
Vertical Divider
​Yoga for Cancer
Teacher Training
Yoga Encyclopedia
Vertical Divider
Online Courses
​Yoga Nidra
​Aromatherapy ​​
Store ​  |   Blog  
​Bio   |   Press
Contact   |   ​Mailing List

Picture

(c) 2020 Cheryl Fenner Brown, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, YACEP