Devon

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Don&#8217;t worry &#8211; it&#8217;s not this! Nope, it’s not even a pose (asana to yogis) &#8211; according to Yoga Teacher trainer, Gem Williams of Devon&#8217;s <a href="https://gemyoga.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gem Yoga Teacher Training</a>, it’s something far gentler: ahimsa.&nbsp;



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Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word (the ancient Indian language of Yoga) for non-harm, compassion and kindness. Yogis know that in the ancient yogic teachings of the Patanjali texts, ahimsa is chronologically first, way before the poses, which is ironic when they are what most people think of as yoga in the Western world.



What’s more, it doesn’t just mean being kind to others, it means being kind to yourself, something which we find hard to do in January. We’re too busy berating ourselves for the Christmas excess: for all the fizz and Ferrero Rocher we&#8217;ve scoffed down; the late nights, and lack of exercise, missing yoga classes, and blobbing in front of the TV while knocking back *just a small one* the Baileys.



BUT stress not &#8211; Gem is here to remind you that yoga doesn’t just happen on a mat. Practising ahimsa and being kind to yourself is yoga. Letting go of those negative January thoughts is yoga; tuning into your breath and being present is yoga. Even lying in bed or with your legs up a wall and listening to a guided meditation is yoga. All this you can do before you even touch your mat again. And when you do, instead of going at it like clappers to make up for lost time, this year start gently, kindly by trying these wonderful suggestions from Gem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-child-pose-balasana">1. Child Pose (Balasana)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-2.jpg" alt="Gem Yoga Teacher Training child pose balasana " class="wp-image-71757" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-2-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What to do: Bring your knees together or have them apart to give your abdomen space. Lay your torso over your thighs or along a bolster or pillows. Lay your arms in front or beside you. You can roll up a blanket under your ankles for more comfort.&nbsp;



The effect: A calming, grounding, nurturing pose. Giving time for you to just be. (1-5 mins)*



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-supported-fish-pose-salamba-matsyasana-nbsp">2. Supported Fish Pose (Salamba Matsyasana)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-3.jpg" alt="Gem Yoga Teacher Training supported fish pose (Salamba Matsyasana)" class="wp-image-71759" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-3-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-3-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-3-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What to do: Place a block or pillow under your chest that is the appropriate&nbsp;height for you. You can also place a pillow under your head. This pose can feel quite vulnerable so listen to what your body needs and come out early if you feel to. (1-3 mins)*&nbsp;



The effect: Opening, energizing, uplifting pose. Time for you to be with what is.



An amazing pose to undo the tension of sitting and doing in our busy lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-butterfly-pose-baddha-konasana">3. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-1-1000x750.jpg" alt="Gem Yoga Teacher Training Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)" class="wp-image-71761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What to do: Have the soles of the feet touching as bent knees fall to the sides. Allow your arms to relax as your torso folds forward. Place some cushions for support under your knees if needed. You can also rest your forehead on a yoga block. 



The effect: It opens the fascia of the hips and massages the spine after the previous backbend pose. (1-3 mins*)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-legs-up-a-wall-pose-viparita-karani">4. Legs up a Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-5.jpg" alt="Gem Yoga Teacher Training Legs up a Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)" class="wp-image-71763" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-5-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-5-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-5-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What to do: Rest your legs up a wall, or rest your lower legs over a sofa. Make sure you&#8217;re comfortable. You can place a blanket over you for extra nourishment.&nbsp;



The effect: A deeply restorative rejuvenate&nbsp;pose that also helps with sleep. (5 mins*)&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-corpse-pose-shavasana">5. Corpse Pose (Shavasana)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-4.jpg" alt="Gem Yoga Teacher Training Corpse Pose (Shavasana)" class="wp-image-71765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-4-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-4-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/gem-4-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What to do: Lay on the floor. You can place a bolster or pillow under your knees and cover yourself in a blanket for extra comfort. You can also place a pillow under your head and an eye pillow over your eyes. If this pose doesn&#8217;t feel comfortable, you can find your own lying position. The main intention here is to practise letting go of the mind, body and emotions and to let all the outer activity fade away and rest in your true nature &#8211; your being. The space inside where there is nothing to do, nowhere to go, nothing expected of you and no responsibilities. Remembering: you are always home. 



The effect: This pose helps to reduce fatigue and calm the mind. Who doesn&#8217;t want that! (5 &#8211; 10 mins*)&nbsp;



*Suggested times are given, but come out early if you start to feel discomfort. Please practice ahimsa and listen to the intuition of your body and your body&#8217;s needs in each moment. The breath should be even and relaxed.&nbsp;



Want to take your yoga practice deeper? There&#8217;s still time to sign up for <a href="https://gemyoga.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gem&#8217;s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training</a> in 2025. Find out <a href="https://gemyoga.co.uk/200hr-yoga-teacher-training/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more here</a>.

The essential yoga move few people know (and it might surprise you)

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