Time: 25 - 30 minutes
Equipment: A wall
Level: All Levels
To me, the hermit is very much about wisdom gained through solitary meditation. As such, I ask that you think of this class more as a meditation class than as a regular yoga class. We will hold each of our poses for several breaths. During these holds please close your eyes and focus on maintaining long, slow and deep breathing. Bring your awareness inward and see what you find.
please come to a comfortable seated position with your back against a wall
still sit up straight and elongate through the crown of your head
press your back into the wall
use the wall as support to lengthen your spine even further
place your hands in a comfortable position on your lap
close your eyes
take a deep inhale breath through your nose and a loud, open mouth, exhale
now quiet your breath while remaining to breath deeply
do your best to stay still throughout as much of the meditation as possible
5 minute seated meditation against the wall
take a deep inhale and a long slow and deep open mouth exhale
rub your hands up and down your thighs and slowly blink your eyes open
bring your legs straight out in front of you
remain with an erect spine against the wall
place your hands on the ground at your sides, palm's down
hold for 10 breaths
I invite you to close your eyes during this hold
staff pose against the wall
please scoot away from the wall
come forward onto your knees and sit on your heels
your toes may be tucked or untucked, I prefer tucked
elongate your head towards the celling
hold for 5 breaths
hero's pose
on an exhale come forward onto all fours
keeping your big toes touching bring your knees out wider
extend your arms out in front of you palms touching the floor
sit back towards your heels while bringing your forehead to the floor
hold for 10 breaths
child's pose
inhale hair your head up
walk your hands forward to come onto your belly
stack your hands in the middle of the mat bringing your elbows out wide
rest your forehead on your stacked hands and completely relax
hold for 5 breaths
on an inhale come up to all fours
hand directly under your shoulders
knees under your hips