WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.935 - Hey everyone and welcome to Yoga With Adriene. 00:00:01.935 --> 00:00:05.439 I'm Adriene and today on the Foundations of Yoga 00:00:05.439 --> 00:00:09.610 we're learning Rabbit Pose or Bunny Posture or Hare Pose. 00:00:10.477 --> 00:00:12.579 H-A-R-E. (laughs) 00:00:12.579 --> 00:00:14.882 This is a great near inversion. 00:00:14.882 --> 00:00:16.483 I love, love, love this posture 00:00:16.483 --> 00:00:20.053 because it reminds me that we need to practice 00:00:20.053 --> 00:00:23.090 and be attentive to this idea of calm 00:00:23.090 --> 00:00:25.525 and this practice of breathing 00:00:25.525 --> 00:00:28.629 in tight or uncomfortable situations. 00:00:29.796 --> 00:00:31.565 The Foundations of Yoga series is really great 00:00:31.565 --> 00:00:32.799 'cause it just gives us an opportunity 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.968 to play with the postures, to break it down, 00:00:34.968 --> 00:00:37.871 to workshop, to explore and hopefully have a little fun. 00:00:37.871 --> 00:00:40.540 So hop into something comfy and let's get started. 00:00:40.540 --> 00:00:43.877 (upbeat guitar music) 00:00:50.817 --> 00:00:52.920 Alrighty my friends, welcome. 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:54.750 In the Foundations of Yoga series 00:00:54.750 --> 00:00:56.657 we don't just do the pose, 00:00:56.657 --> 00:00:59.927 but we very much embrace this idea of process 00:00:59.927 --> 00:01:04.131 and really put that into play while learning the pose. 00:01:04.131 --> 00:01:07.367 You're rarely going to see us just jump right into, 00:01:07.367 --> 00:01:08.969 like today, Rabbit Posture, 00:01:08.969 --> 00:01:10.304 but rather we need to warm up the body 00:01:10.304 --> 00:01:11.972 to make sure that we're connected. 00:01:11.972 --> 00:01:14.841 Right away, think of the body as one moving part, 00:01:14.841 --> 00:01:17.544 rather than a bunch of disjointed parts. 00:01:17.544 --> 00:01:19.513 We're gonna maybe bring a little blanket 00:01:19.513 --> 00:01:21.014 or towel to pad the knees. 00:01:21.014 --> 00:01:22.516 We're gonna come to all fours 00:01:22.516 --> 00:01:27.154 and just start with some gentle spinal flexion, Cat-Cow. 00:01:27.154 --> 00:01:28.922 Most everyone is familiar with this. 00:01:28.922 --> 00:01:30.824 See if you can slow it down 00:01:30.824 --> 00:01:33.126 and start to sync up with your breath right away. 00:01:33.126 --> 00:01:36.129 So as you inhale you press into your hands and feet 00:01:36.129 --> 00:01:38.598 and drop the belly, open the chest. 00:01:38.598 --> 00:01:41.068 Find length in the front body. 00:01:41.068 --> 00:01:45.772 And then as you exhale start to round opposite direction, 00:01:45.772 --> 00:01:50.644 chin to chest, heart lifts up between the shoulder blades. 00:01:50.644 --> 00:01:51.645 You're really pressing 00:01:51.645 --> 00:01:55.582 into the tops of your feet and all 10 fingers. 00:01:55.582 --> 00:01:59.653 Then again, inhale, drop the belly, open the chest. 00:01:59.653 --> 00:02:01.822 Gentle tug of the shoulders back 00:02:01.822 --> 00:02:05.292 so you create lots of length in the neck. 00:02:05.292 --> 00:02:07.260 And then exhale, start with the tail, 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:10.297 rounding through chin to chest. 00:02:10.297 --> 00:02:13.000 Again, especially as we prepare for Rabbit Pose, 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:16.503 press away from your yoga mat so you feel this lift 00:02:16.503 --> 00:02:20.674 in the upper back body, this hollowing up through the chest. 00:02:22.175 --> 00:02:27.047 Alright, one more time, inhale to drop the belly. 00:02:27.047 --> 00:02:31.785 And exhale to really round, draw the navel up this time. 00:02:31.785 --> 00:02:35.288 Press, press, press away from your foundation. 00:02:35.288 --> 00:02:39.760 Try to draw your nose towards your navel on this one. 00:02:39.760 --> 00:02:40.827 Awesome, then inhale, 00:02:40.827 --> 00:02:43.930 come back to a neutral position, neutral spine. 00:02:43.930 --> 00:02:45.866 You're just gonna bump the hips to the left 00:02:45.866 --> 00:02:48.969 and then turn and look past your right shoulder. 00:02:48.969 --> 00:02:50.737 Take a deep breath in and then exhale, 00:02:50.737 --> 00:02:53.573 press away from your hands and feet here. 00:02:53.573 --> 00:02:56.877 And then slowly come back to the neutral spine. 00:02:56.877 --> 00:02:59.479 Awesome work, and then bump the hips to the right. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:02.015 Turn and look past your left shoulder. 00:03:02.015 --> 00:03:06.186 Inhale in and then exhale press away from your yoga mat. 00:03:07.721 --> 00:03:11.291 Beautiful, inhale, come back to neutral spine. 00:03:11.291 --> 00:03:13.794 Then exhale, you're gonna drop the elbows 00:03:13.794 --> 00:03:16.029 right where the hands were. 00:03:17.230 --> 00:03:19.866 I have my blocks right here so I'll use them. 00:03:19.866 --> 00:03:22.002 Nice and slow you're gonna walk the knees back 00:03:22.002 --> 00:03:24.271 and come into a heart-to-earth pose. 00:03:24.271 --> 00:03:25.572 We're really opening up 00:03:25.572 --> 00:03:27.374 through the shoulders and chest here. 00:03:27.374 --> 00:03:29.176 You're lifting up through the hip creases, 00:03:29.176 --> 00:03:33.313 feeling that stretch all the way through the back body. 00:03:33.313 --> 00:03:35.515 If you have a block, it's nice to keep a block 00:03:35.515 --> 00:03:37.150 between the index finger and thumb 00:03:37.150 --> 00:03:40.620 so that your fingers aren't coming in or splaying out, 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.956 but staying nice and square. 00:03:45.258 --> 00:03:47.661 And then just lift your tail 00:03:47.661 --> 00:03:52.515 and since we're focusing on Rabbit Pose today, 00:03:52.515 --> 00:03:54.201 think of a little bunny's tail. 00:03:54.201 --> 00:03:56.403 I know this is silly as heck, 00:03:56.403 --> 00:03:58.472 but just give yourself a visual. 00:03:58.472 --> 00:04:01.241 Right at the coccyx you have like a little bunny tail. 00:04:01.241 --> 00:04:05.078 Try to lift that part up towards the sky even more, 00:04:05.078 --> 00:04:08.081 creating more length and more space. 00:04:11.485 --> 00:04:15.655 Then breathe, send awareness with each inhale 00:04:15.655 --> 00:04:17.724 all the way to your tail. 00:04:19.559 --> 00:04:23.463 And then back up and out through the nose or the mouth. 00:04:23.463 --> 00:04:26.299 Again, creating spaciousness here. 00:04:27.801 --> 00:04:30.871 Then connect to your core to come out of this shape. 00:04:30.871 --> 00:04:35.342 Draw the navel up and in, slowly rise back up. 00:04:35.342 --> 00:04:38.512 Walk the hands underneath the shoulders. 00:04:38.512 --> 00:04:41.448 Walk the knees underneath the hips. 00:04:42.282 --> 00:04:43.116 Cool. 00:04:43.116 --> 00:04:45.385 Now we're gonna take the right fingertips forward. 00:04:45.385 --> 00:04:48.288 Feel light in your left wrist, 00:04:48.288 --> 00:04:50.423 so don't crash into your left wrist. 00:04:50.423 --> 00:04:52.025 Lift your heart, feel a lightness 00:04:52.025 --> 00:04:53.827 as you inhale, reach forward. 00:04:53.827 --> 00:04:55.695 And then exhale, thread the needle. 00:04:55.695 --> 00:04:57.764 We're waking up the upper back body. 00:04:57.764 --> 00:04:59.866 Right fingertips are gonna go underneath the bridge 00:04:59.866 --> 00:05:02.169 of the right arm and you're gonna rest your right ear 00:05:02.169 --> 00:05:04.404 on the earth or on a block. 00:05:07.807 --> 00:05:12.491 Lots of loving, beautiful, big inhales here 00:05:12.491 --> 00:05:15.801 to really make the most of this. 00:05:19.052 --> 00:05:22.022 Then just notice where you might be gripping or holding 00:05:22.022 --> 00:05:25.859 and see if you can soften there, breathe deep. 00:05:26.693 --> 00:05:28.762 Should feel really good. 00:05:28.762 --> 00:05:32.632 Then again you can imagine that little pom-pom of a tail 00:05:32.632 --> 00:05:36.036 on your coccyx and just lift that part up towards the sky, 00:05:36.036 --> 00:05:39.706 creating more spaciousness in the pelvis. 00:05:39.706 --> 00:05:42.776 Lifting the hip creases up should feel really good. 00:05:42.776 --> 00:05:45.612 Then last but not least, you can choose a variation 00:05:45.612 --> 00:05:48.148 with the left hand, either taking it up towards the sky, 00:05:48.148 --> 00:05:52.018 maybe left hand on the small of the back, 00:05:52.018 --> 00:05:54.087 or all the way forward. 00:05:54.087 --> 00:05:58.291 Make a choice and then take a deep breath in 00:05:58.291 --> 00:06:00.126 and a long breath out. 00:06:01.127 --> 00:06:04.864 Then slowly we'll make our way back up through 00:06:04.864 --> 00:06:07.267 and take it to the other side. 00:06:07.267 --> 00:06:08.969 Again, try to find a lightness here 00:06:08.969 --> 00:06:10.604 so you're not just diving into the shape, 00:06:10.604 --> 00:06:12.706 but find a little buoyancy. 00:06:12.706 --> 00:06:15.909 Use an inhale to reach the left fingertips forward. 00:06:15.909 --> 00:06:17.777 Find expansion, length, 00:06:17.777 --> 00:06:21.715 and then thread the needle on the other side. 00:06:21.715 --> 00:06:26.686 Stay present, notice what it feels like on this side. 00:06:26.686 --> 00:06:27.921 Breathing deep. 00:06:28.922 --> 00:06:30.257 Give the thinking mind a break here. 00:06:30.257 --> 00:06:33.893 Just stay present with the sensation of the body 00:06:33.893 --> 00:06:36.463 and the quality of your breath. 00:06:37.530 --> 00:06:40.967 And again, lifting the hip creases, 00:06:40.967 --> 00:06:43.637 feeling the sits bones spread left to right, 00:06:43.637 --> 00:06:46.473 creating an awesome spaciousness. 00:06:46.473 --> 00:06:49.609 Breathing, breathing, breathing. 00:06:49.609 --> 00:06:51.177 And when you're ready to, 00:06:51.177 --> 00:06:54.414 find a variation that feels good with the top arm, 00:06:54.414 --> 00:06:56.983 make a choice and breathe deep. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:09.863 Take one more big inhale here. 00:07:12.132 --> 00:07:14.370 Exhale to unravel and 00:07:14.370 --> 00:07:18.305 bring it back to center, awesome. 00:07:18.305 --> 00:07:22.075 Alright, so walk the knees right underneath the hip points 00:07:22.075 --> 00:07:23.410 if they're aren't already. 00:07:23.410 --> 00:07:24.778 Notice I say hip points 00:07:24.778 --> 00:07:27.180 because the hip sometimes is a little bit wider. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:29.816 Wanna really bring these bones into alignment 00:07:29.816 --> 00:07:32.118 so the top of the thigh bone's coming up 00:07:32.118 --> 00:07:35.732 and into the hip crease here. 00:07:35.732 --> 00:07:39.426 Just an image, so we're stacking the bones. 00:07:40.727 --> 00:07:44.197 For now we're gonna come onto the tops of the feet. 00:07:44.197 --> 00:07:46.900 Right away we're gonna start to gather some energy 00:07:46.900 --> 00:07:48.234 up through the lower belly. 00:07:48.234 --> 00:07:49.436 Here it is just kinda blah. 00:07:49.436 --> 00:07:51.971 We're gonna draw navel in and up, 00:07:51.971 --> 00:07:55.408 find that Uddiyana Bandha, that navel lock. 00:07:55.408 --> 00:07:57.110 Draw the navel in and up. 00:07:57.110 --> 00:07:59.679 Then we're gonna slowly, 00:07:59.679 --> 00:08:01.881 you can of course use a little blanket to pad the knees. 00:08:01.881 --> 00:08:02.982 If you need to press pause 00:08:02.982 --> 00:08:06.686 and go ahead and grab one, you can. 00:08:06.686 --> 00:08:08.822 But for Rabbit Pose we're really gonna focus 00:08:08.822 --> 00:08:11.491 on the sensation over the shape. 00:08:11.491 --> 00:08:13.693 I know when I was younger I used to just cram myself 00:08:13.693 --> 00:08:15.962 into this posture 'cause I wanted to make it. 00:08:15.962 --> 00:08:19.232 Now I've backed off a lot to just focus 00:08:19.232 --> 00:08:21.334 on the sensation over the shape. 00:08:21.334 --> 00:08:23.837 It's amazing how, if you practice this regularly, 00:08:23.837 --> 00:08:28.227 it will evolve, body is amazing. 00:08:28.227 --> 00:08:31.010 Nice and slow we're gonna walk the fingertips 00:08:31.010 --> 00:08:32.479 underneath the shoulder blades 00:08:32.479 --> 00:08:34.847 and just narrow this Tabletop Position 00:08:34.847 --> 00:08:36.850 so that the spine is starting to round. 00:08:36.850 --> 00:08:39.284 The navel's drawing in and up. 00:08:39.284 --> 00:08:42.054 Obviously now my upper back bardy, 00:08:43.423 --> 00:08:45.258 let's party, upper back bardy. 00:08:45.258 --> 00:08:48.155 My upper back body (chuckles) 00:08:48.155 --> 00:08:50.435 is starting to lift up, 00:08:50.435 --> 00:08:52.399 chest lifting. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:55.535 There's like this doming effect, right? 00:08:55.535 --> 00:08:59.606 Okay, so I'm cultivating the support from within 00:08:59.606 --> 00:09:01.975 with Mula Bandha, pelvic floor lift. 00:09:01.975 --> 00:09:05.211 Navel draws in and up, I hug the lower ribs in. 00:09:05.211 --> 00:09:08.047 You might just stay here working on this. 00:09:08.047 --> 00:09:11.351 So great for the upper back body, so great for your posture. 00:09:11.351 --> 00:09:14.220 Press into the tops of the feet. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.592 So great for the nervous system, 00:09:16.592 --> 00:09:19.592 and breathe, to continue. 00:09:19.592 --> 00:09:22.562 I'm gonna slowly maintain this energy in the front body, 00:09:22.562 --> 00:09:24.197 this gathering up and in. 00:09:24.197 --> 00:09:25.932 Press into the tops of the feet. 00:09:25.932 --> 00:09:28.668 I'm gonna continue to walk my hands all the way back 00:09:28.668 --> 00:09:29.803 and as I do that, 00:09:29.803 --> 00:09:34.641 I'm gonna reach the crown of my head towards the ground. 00:09:34.641 --> 00:09:37.844 In order to do that, I'm gonna draw my nose towards my navel 00:09:37.844 --> 00:09:41.448 to maybe get the crown of the head on the ground. 00:09:41.448 --> 00:09:44.818 If not, I'll just work as best I can. 00:09:44.818 --> 00:09:49.456 I can also use a block or a little stacking of towels 00:09:49.456 --> 00:09:50.857 to bring the crown of the head 00:09:50.857 --> 00:09:53.460 to the mat there and work here. 00:09:55.462 --> 00:09:56.963 Crown of the head comes to the ground, 00:09:56.963 --> 00:10:00.233 chin comes in up towards the chest. 00:10:00.233 --> 00:10:02.135 I'm not worrying about grabbing my heels yet, 00:10:02.135 --> 00:10:05.004 I'm just working on finding this support, 00:10:05.004 --> 00:10:07.640 this gathering of energy through the front body 00:10:07.640 --> 00:10:10.410 as I press into the tops of the feet. 00:10:10.410 --> 00:10:12.011 You can take breaks at any time. 00:10:12.011 --> 00:10:15.081 We're here to workshop this and play. 00:10:17.050 --> 00:10:20.286 See if you can bring your breath more into the picture 00:10:20.286 --> 00:10:22.455 the longer you're in this shape. 00:10:22.455 --> 00:10:25.625 Let the breath support you, guide you. 00:10:26.526 --> 00:10:29.796 And then if you're here, you might interlace the fingertips 00:10:29.796 --> 00:10:33.266 or grab opposite wrists behind the legs. 00:10:33.266 --> 00:10:35.086 We start to find a little 00:10:35.086 --> 00:10:36.736 pressing of the tops of the feet, 00:10:36.736 --> 00:10:39.606 a little resistance as we lift the hips up 00:10:39.606 --> 00:10:43.576 and then press into the earth, so a little yielding here. 00:10:43.576 --> 00:10:46.279 Playing with opposition. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.848 I'm not gripping, I'm not holding, 00:10:48.848 --> 00:10:52.585 I'm not clenching in my jaw or furrowing my brow. 00:10:52.585 --> 00:10:55.722 I'm breathing nice and easy. 00:10:56.623 --> 00:10:58.157 Cool, press into the tops of the feet, 00:10:58.157 --> 00:11:02.762 release the arms, and slow and in control roll up. 00:11:02.762 --> 00:11:04.564 Stack head over heart, heart over pelvis. 00:11:04.564 --> 00:11:06.900 We'll just be here for one beat just to give it a break, 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:09.469 especially if this shape is new, 00:11:09.469 --> 00:11:13.185 and then enjoy that yoga high. 00:11:15.842 --> 00:11:18.755 Feeling good, rabbits. 00:11:18.755 --> 00:11:21.447 Alright, let's go for it one more time. 00:11:21.447 --> 00:11:23.149 Make sure the knees are in check 00:11:23.149 --> 00:11:25.251 right underneath the hip points. 00:11:25.251 --> 00:11:27.654 Take a deep breath in, long breath out. 00:11:27.654 --> 00:11:30.623 Connect to your feet, don't forget about your feet here. 00:11:30.623 --> 00:11:32.158 Hands are gonna come down to the earth. 00:11:32.158 --> 00:11:33.826 As you're ready, walk 'em back. 00:11:33.826 --> 00:11:35.094 As you start to walk 'em back, 00:11:35.094 --> 00:11:37.964 start to cultivate that energy up through the front body. 00:11:37.964 --> 00:11:39.832 Maybe you just bring them behind the knees 00:11:39.832 --> 00:11:42.135 for this round again, grabbing opposite wrists 00:11:42.135 --> 00:11:44.637 or interlacing the fingertips. 00:11:45.838 --> 00:11:49.142 Or maybe this time you reach back to grab the heels. 00:11:49.142 --> 00:11:50.977 Now, sometimes you can shorten the distance 00:11:50.977 --> 00:11:53.146 by curling the toes under, grabbing the heels, 00:11:53.146 --> 00:11:55.048 and then working from here. 00:11:55.048 --> 00:11:56.716 But again, for too many years I feel like 00:11:56.716 --> 00:11:58.685 I just wanted to come in the shape 00:11:58.685 --> 00:12:02.989 and I bypassed creating all this length and space. 00:12:02.989 --> 00:12:05.191 Now lift the hip creases up the same way you did 00:12:05.191 --> 00:12:07.860 when we lifted our tails. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:11.030 Press into the shins, press into the tops of the feet. 00:12:11.030 --> 00:12:12.765 I'm not putting a ton of weight 00:12:12.765 --> 00:12:14.033 on the crown of the head, guys. 00:12:14.033 --> 00:12:17.770 I'm not hurting my neck, I'm being super mindful. 00:12:17.770 --> 00:12:21.140 I'm keeping my shoulders nice and stable. 00:12:21.140 --> 00:12:24.911 Breathing deep here, hugging the lower ribs in. 00:12:24.911 --> 00:12:29.048 Creating so much spaciousness in the back body. 00:12:29.048 --> 00:12:33.453 There's this gentle compression on the internal organs 00:12:33.453 --> 00:12:36.522 as I lift up through the front body, so great 00:12:36.522 --> 00:12:40.915 for your body, oh my gosh, so good. 00:12:40.915 --> 00:12:43.763 Feeling the blood flow opposite direction. 00:12:43.763 --> 00:12:45.565 This can be a frustrating posture too, 00:12:45.565 --> 00:12:49.217 so just breathe deep, explore. 00:12:49.217 --> 00:12:51.070 Notice I'm not collapsing in the shoulders 00:12:51.070 --> 00:12:52.905 but drawing them away. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:57.210 One more breath here, you got it. 00:12:58.778 --> 00:13:04.104 And then with control, slowly release hands to support. 00:13:05.110 --> 00:13:08.454 From here, we're gonna walk the hands forward 00:13:08.454 --> 00:13:10.223 and we're gonna cross the ankles behind us 00:13:10.223 --> 00:13:12.792 and we're going to use the fingertips to guide you, 00:13:12.792 --> 00:13:15.361 but we're gonna come to Sukhasana. 00:13:15.361 --> 00:13:18.197 You should feel all the blood flow 00:13:19.465 --> 00:13:23.436 shifting once again, it should feel really good. 00:13:23.436 --> 00:13:26.806 Just see if you can tag a little weight in your elbows here 00:13:26.806 --> 00:13:29.642 as you lift up through your heart. 00:13:31.244 --> 00:13:32.655 Feels good. 00:13:38.251 --> 00:13:42.594 Rabbit Pose can bring energy to the body, 00:13:42.594 --> 00:13:46.251 it can bring a focus, a clarity. 00:13:46.251 --> 00:13:49.884 Nice, fresh rinse 00:13:49.884 --> 00:13:51.664 to the energetic channels 00:13:51.664 --> 00:13:55.323 that run up and down the spine. 00:13:55.323 --> 00:13:59.930 Encouraging healthy flow of energy, 00:13:59.930 --> 00:14:02.252 healthy blood flow. 00:14:05.211 --> 00:14:10.251 I invite you to practice Rabbit Pose maybe once a week 00:14:10.251 --> 00:14:13.186 and just see how it goes, see how it grows. 00:14:13.186 --> 00:14:14.687 You can also add a little Rabbit Pose 00:14:14.687 --> 00:14:15.988 to the end of another practice 00:14:15.988 --> 00:14:18.825 just like you would a Crow Pose or a back bend 00:14:18.825 --> 00:14:21.294 and just see how it evolves through time. 00:14:21.294 --> 00:14:25.198 We'll draw the hands together, Prayer Position. 00:14:26.532 --> 00:14:28.768 And just because, let's think of something 00:14:28.768 --> 00:14:31.938 that we're thankful for today 00:14:31.938 --> 00:14:35.575 and place it right between the hands. 00:14:35.575 --> 00:14:38.311 Could be someone or something. 00:14:38.311 --> 00:14:40.446 It could be chocolate. 00:14:40.446 --> 00:14:43.883 Whatever came to your mind, go with that. 00:14:45.551 --> 00:14:48.054 Something you're grateful for. 00:14:50.123 --> 00:14:51.090 Then take a deep breath 00:14:51.090 --> 00:14:54.160 'cause we have so much to be grateful for. 00:14:54.160 --> 00:14:57.897 For me, this yoga practice and this community 00:14:57.897 --> 00:14:59.866 is certainly one of them, 00:14:59.866 --> 00:15:02.835 one of the things I am most grateful for. 00:15:02.835 --> 00:15:06.172 Inhale, lift your heart, smile. 00:15:06.172 --> 00:15:07.406 Exhale, we bow. 00:15:09.308 --> 00:15:10.576 Namaste. 00:15:10.576 --> 00:15:13.913 (upbeat guitar music)