Today's yoga pose is the Half Moon Pose (my best take on this pose 😉😉😉).

This pose helps improve balance, focus, and concentration. It also opens the hips and strengthens the ankles, knees, and lower body.

There are modifications to this pose. You can use a Yoga brick under your hand (can be found in your local Target or Walmart), or practice this pose against a wall (leaning the back, head, abs legs against the wall for support). If you have experienced any recent or chronic injury to your legs, hips, shoulders, or back, do not try this pose.

So today's yoga pose isn't exactly a yoga pose, but very close to a pose known as the Sage Twist. The pose that I am doing here is known as the Piriformis Stretch (as my focus for this week was stretching). The piriformis muscle is a deep internal hip rotator with its primary role being external rotation. This muscle crosses over the sciatic nerve, and if tight can irritate the sciatic nerve. Doing this pose/stretch can prevent potential future sciatica, or help treat it.

Yoga Sequence for Focus!

1. and 2. Mountain Pose (front and side views)
3. Extended Hand on the Foot Pose (the best that I could do without hurting myself 😉😉😉)
4. Standing Forward Bend

Yoga Sequence Credit: 5-Minute Yoga (Adams Media)

Yoga Sequence for Flexibility!

1. Downward Facing Dog 
2. and 3. Cat-Cow
4. Basic Relaxation Pose 

Yoga Sequence credit: 5-Minute Yoga (Adams Media)