Hi Rachel! I find it interesting the contrast between how tough Happy Baby can be when you're older versus when you're younger. I'm finding that the more that I participate in yoga practices the more relaxed, curious, down to earth and playful I become. Life has a way of making us tense and resistant. This video is one I will return to when I'm feeling like I need to return to my roots! Thank you for the video! Keep up the great work!
Hey Sean! Thank you for your comment! I also find it fascinating that our experience in Happy Baby (or really any pose) changes as we age! I LOVE to hear that you are becoming more playful and curious on your mat! This is AMAZING! I do believe in integrating a little more play in our daily lives. Play has the capacity to promote creative problem-solving, enhance critical thinking skills, boost energy and productivity, and so much more! Keep up the AMAZING work! You got this! 😊🙏
Another great stretch! I could really feel this in my hamstrings. My natural tendency was to grab the insides of my feet when in the Happy Baby pose so was happy when you gave that option! Grabbing the outsides was a bit more challenging! Thanks again Rachel!
Hi Nancy! Yes - this pose offers a lovely stretch to our hamstrings! I am so happy to hear that you found an option that works well for you! I personally prefer to grab the inner arches of my feet as well as it feels a bit more restorative. Thanks for showing up and practicing with me!!! ❤🙏
Thank you for the kind words! Another great question! That is normal!! We all have unique experiences on our mat, so it is all good! This could be due to tight hamstring muscles and the hip flexors. Here's what I suggest - hug your knees into your chest, then begin to spread the legs apart when they are still low (so not in the air like in the video), lift your head and shoulders up slightly from the ground, hands go through the middle, and grab the inner arches of your feet (as opposed to the outer edges). Then relax your head and shoulders back on the ground. You can use your hands to guide the soles of your feet towards the sky. Bring the feet to a point where it still feels comfortable and just hang out there. You can also try placing a blanket under the low back area (near the sacrum) to see if that extra lift helps. Another option is to try out one leg at a time. So, one leg is in the happy baby pose. You can keep the other leg bent with the sole of the foot planted on the earth. I believe I do this posture in the Yoga for the Hips video near the end of the practice! So, feel free to check that out for a visual reference! I hope that this helps! Let me know if it does! If not, I can brainstorm some other ideas!! 🙏
Hey Rachel! Going back in time and looking at some of your earlier videos, I was drawn in to revisit the Happy Rachel pose! (I think it may be the connection with the mood boosting video you just released.) It's funny how when you rewatch a video you pick up on new ideas. I think my recent thoughts have focused on how to be more comfortable being vulnerable in these sessions. I watched how you transitioned into this pose and felt a better comfort level this time through. I'm learning that it's healthy to explore questions we have, investigate what draws us in and captures our attention, and to be open to trying something new (a theme I picked up in your dancer pose blog). I'm also discovering that If I let Rachel lead, I tend to learn new things! Thanks for sharing this video - excited I was able to go back and learn something new (again!💖) from you.
Hi Miguel! THIS - what you wrote leaves me speechless and extremely happy! Yes, as our practice evolves so does our understandings, perspectives, questions, etc. Happy Baby evokes so many different emotions and feelings within us. I recall feeling quite vulnerable the first time I attempted this pose. After a few more tries, I started to feel joyful and playful. Visualization changed how I felt in this posture. I am at the point now where I just feel silly and I feel like laughing in this pose. I invite everyone to investigate, explore, ask questions, try something new and take risks! I encourage it because you never know what you may discover or even rediscover about yourself and the world around you. What you learn on the mat can be applied off the mat! THIS is what Yoga with Rachel is all about! Once again, I am so happy that you are a part of this community! Love your deep reflections! AMAZING! Take care 🙏😊
@@YogawithRachel Thank you Rachel! Love, love, love 💗💗💘your prompt replies as they make me feel special. I do enjoy your playfulness and how you make things fun - after revisiting these earlier videos I realize what a great instructor you are and I appreciate how warm and inviting you made this pose 😊. I think you have a talent to be able to make virtual videos so engaging (though I bet being there in person would be a blast and I can see how playful poses like this can be.) Always looking forward to your new poses, and never get tired of (re)learning something new from your archived videos. Keep being you (awesome!) and thank you for the reply!
would you know any modified versions for yoga exercises, i have klippel feil syndrome meaning i have locked fusions in my spine, and i only half a ring around my neck if you can suggest any, that would be helpful, like any modified versions to help loosen a stiff neck? Its especially stiff when first waking up in the morning, I'm thinking of maybe starting with resting a heating pad to help relax those muscles...and do you have any that woudl help me straighten my back and keep my shoulders back.. i have a habit of putting my shoulders forward so it looks like my backs getting round.
Hi Danielle! I hope that you are doing well 😊 Thank you for your question and the background information that you have provided. I am not a health care practitioner and have limited knowledge with regards to Klippel Feil Syndrome. What I recommend is speaking to a physiotherapist to see what kind of exercises would be safe for improving mobility/range of motion in the neck. I know that hot and cold therapy is good for reducing stiffness and inflammation, which may feel nice first thing in the morning. So, I could see that being useful for relaxing the muscles. I do have a practice for the upper back on this channel that can help counteract the effects of shoulders rounding forward. I am sorry that I couldn't offer more support!! I hope that you have an amazing day, and thank you so much for being here!! Take care 🙏💜😊
