Hi everyone,

I thought I would put a few ideas down on staying youthful and limber in these interesting times. I am finding I’m either feverishly working on projects in case the lockdown is lifted, or exhausted and listless, finding it hard to be motivated as the lockdown progresses. I find doing short bursts of yoga fit me best, but sometimes I just want to put the mat down and keep going for a while.

Some of the things I’m using are these:

SHOULDERS, NECK AND UPPER BACK – I HAVE BEEN LIFTING BAGS OF COMPOST AND THIS IS WHAT I DO TO RECOVER:

All fours, cat/cow. Plank to down dog and work into my hamstrings for a few minutes; move into plank and focus on shoulders, drawing back, opening chest and using my core and legs to support. Move to the floor through chaturanga, thinking about elbows close to body, shoulders drawing back and core strong.
I repeat this a few times and might do a sun salute or two, putting a lunge in as I step forward.
Twisting – lying down twists – for the golfers this is a must before you hit the course, loosen your back, neck and shoulders and hamstrings.

KEEPING MY LEGS AND HIPS OPEN AND COUNTERING STIFFNESS OR DELICATE KNEES:

Lunges as above, also variations of warrior 3, hands on a support like a chair or kitchen counter, lift one leg behind and fold my upper body forward and repeat on the other leg. Lifting leg forward (start with bent knee) rest foot on furniture, low or high – if low try to keep leg straight, if high, keep knee soft and work into hip joint.
For my knees pigeon or reverse(lying down) pigeon – I only go as far as a gentle stretch and repeat.

Dont forget to go upside down safely and in the morning…

Let me know if this is useful and if there’s anything you’d like to see. Use your furniture, do a little at a time and enjoy!

Stay safe everyone, see you soon

Eileen