Please meet Laurie Adornetto. She is Mind Body Flow Yoga’s featured student for this month’s newsletter. Laurie has a beautiful yoga practice and was generous in sharing it with us, as she demonstrates tripod headstand pose (Sirsasana II).
Mind Body Flow Yoga’s Very Own Laurie Adornetto
My yoga journey. My daughter-in-law told me about the introductory special. 20 bucks/10 days. Such a deal. I went 8 out of the 10 days and now I’m hooked!
I love the warmth and the flow and the connection of breath with movement. I’ve done yoga before, but never had as much fun as I do at Mind Body Flow Yoga.
Beginning my 6th decade of life, I noticed that my thinking was getting soft and protective. Surely, the days of headstands were over. I didn’t feel strong enough or fit enough. I would describe myself as a bit high strung and rather negative regarding the process of aging, and since I have come to the mat at Mind Body Flow Yoga, I have simmered down and become more accepting and hopeful about the whole concept of aging. As a matter of fact, I would like to be standing on my head when I’m 80. I am more than my age. I am strong and happy now with who I am.
I would like to be standing on my head when I’m 80….
The shift slowly, but surely started happening for me. As I listened to the teachers, certain phrases began peaking my interest. “You’ve got this.” “Why not try.” “Go.” “Now.” “See what you can see.” Marina, gave me the best advise ever. She said, “Drop your stories….you know, I’m too old, not strong enough, not fit enough…”
Next, I committed to 36 classes and got stronger and my thinking changed from “I shouldn’t” to “If you can…you must.”
Now, I’ve committed to 3 months of unlimited yoga at Mind Body Flow Yoga. After consistent and persistent practice, I can once again do a headstand, full wheel, and many other surprising poses. I have gone down two sizes (which is great), but even better than that, I have been transformed on an emotional level. On the mat, I have found energized thinking. I now schedule in a yoga class every day and then plan my day around that. I have learned the benefit of self-care first and that helping others then comes more naturally. I’ve learned to be patient with myself. I’ve learned to persevere (Marina keeps us in warrior 2 forever). When the going gets rough, I know that breathing and smiling sustains me until the moment passes.
…but even better than that, I have been transformed on an emotional level.
Emotionally, I’ve learned I am stronger and more vital than before I developed my yoga practice. I am even eating more living foods and drinking lots of water. I am more peaceful. I am learning not to take myself so seriously (yoga practice, not yoga perfect, right?). I’m less concerned about people pleasing and find myself laughing more and feeling more joy. I danced at a wedding with my grand-daughters and didn’t even think about what others may be thinking. I went to the Niagara Market in my yoga clothes even though I was hot and sweaty. So, you see, I am less bound up or anxious, less negative, and more positive, strong, and free.
I’m less concerned about people pleasing and find myself laughing more and feeling more joy.
I look forward to what I will learn in the next months, but what I know now is that I always feel rejuvenated and free after yoga class. I highly recommend the workshops because of the extended time and individual attention.
Mind Body Flow Yoga has changed my mind and body and added joy to the flow of my days. Everyday! You can do this too. See for yourself what is possible!
…but what I know now is that I always feel rejuvenated and free after yoga class.
I am determined to age gracefully and stay committed to wellness and kindness to myself and others. Thank you to all the teachers at Mind Body Flow Yoga. I am new and improved because of your example.
I am determined to age gracefully and stay committed to wellness and kindness to myself and others.
Leave a comment below. What stood out to you in the testimonial? What significant experience have you had in your yoga journey?
What is this Pose About?
This is a grounded upside down balancing pose. The resulting shape is a deep opening through the arms, legs, and spine. Watch Laurie enter into this asana from Mountain Pose (Tadasana). She will exit the pose and land back in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) as well.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, if you decide to try this pose, or if you have already started to experiment and play around with it.
Tips for Tripod Headstand (Sirsasana II)
- Walk the feet in to shorten the stance of your Downward Facing Dog.
- Pick up the right leg bending the knee and place it lightly on the right triceps.
- Bend and place the left knee on the left triceps as well ,so you’re in a tripod.
- Instead of letting the weight bear down on your arms, keep the triceps engaged by pushing them into the knees to resist the weight. This will help you keep the shoulders lifted as well.
- Take a deep breath in and lift your knees off the triceps. Lift the hips up as the thighs draw tight to the chest. Stay as compact as possible to help your center of gravity and core engage.
- Every few breaths remind yourself to lift the shoulders and keep the elbows in. Once the hips stack over the shoulders, the weight of the legs will lessen and the core will engage. Squeeze in through the lower belly to lightly pull the knees off the arms into a pike position in your chest.
- Keep the inner heels and big toes touching as the legs draw up towards the ceiling. Feet are flexed powerfully.
- Hug the inner thighs to the midline, expand through the backs of the knee caps and spread the toes.
- From here you can reverse the process back into Child’s Pose or keep the feet flexed, keep the body strong like plank and float into Chaturanga.
Benefits
- Calms the mind and helps relieve stress and mild depression
- Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
- Stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands
- Strengthens the lungs
- Tones the abdominal muscles
- Improves digestion
- Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
- Therapeutic for asthma, infertility and insomnia
Caution
- Use caution with this pose if you have a back injury, headache, heart condition, high blood pressure, menstruation, neck injury, or low blood pressure.
- Pregnancy: If you are experienced with this pose, you can continue to practice it throughout your pregnancy. However, don’t take up the practice of this pose after you become pregnant.
- Tripod headstand (Sirsasana II) is considered to be an intermediate to advanced pose. Do not practice this pose without prior experience or unless you have the supervision of an experienced
Have you tried this pose before? What has been your experience?
