Dear friends, starting from today we have launched free yoga classes. Every day from 6 in the morning until 7 in the evening, you can practice yoga together with us via our live streams! You just need to make a reservation to enjoy our community yoga classes.
In the Wansui Mountain Scenic Area in Kaifeng, Henan, a woman named Wang Ganni, dressed in ancient matchmaker attire and holding a red string symbolizing love, has effectively become the “top sales champion under the Matchmaker God.” With her eloquence and wit, she has not only facilitated many marriages but also seen her number of followers on social media surge to over six million, becoming an internet sensation overnight.
However, with growing fame comes controversy. A man named Liu expressed his success in “having strings pulled” by Wang Ganni and publicly declared his willingness to follow his sweetheart to Sichuan, which sparked cheers online. Unexpectedly, Liu’s wife, Xue, stepped forward to reveal that the two of them were childhood sweethearts, that she was in Japan, and that they were already married, planning to hold their wedding next year. Being informed by friends greatly saddened Xue, who decided to return to the country as soon as possible to handle the divorce. Liu argued that his actions were intended to stimulate Xue to return to the country, but the situation escalated beyond his expectations.
This incident led to many netizens questioning whether all this was a publicity stunt meticulously scripted to attract traffic. Even Wang Ganni was thrust into the whirlwind of public opinion and had to clarify the situation in her live broadcast. It is evident that in today’s internet era, anyone might get caught in such a vortex. Ms. Zhao Mei, known as Wang Ganni, has thus decided to take a break for a while.
The internet’s myriad disturbances can be incredibly oppressive. The best method to cope with such moods is to gradually adjust the negative emotions. One mustn’t be angry, impatient, or anxious when facing problems. For the underlying anxiety within one’s heart, one should introspect and find possible ways of release. This is where one can draw upon answers from the traditional culture of nurturing health, such as yoga, Tai Chi, etc.
Now, I would like to introduce a few restorative yoga poses to help you release liver fire and expand your body and mind.
Supported Reclining Tree Pose: Sit at the front edge of the mat with your legs straight out, recline onto an inclined bolster. Bend the right knee to the side, with the right foot placed on the inner side of the left thigh. Relax your arms, palms facing up. Maintain this pose for a few minutes, then switch to the other side. If there’s discomfort in the neck, place a blanket underneath your head. If your right thigh or hip is tense, place a pillow or blanket there. If your wrists feel pressure, place a blanket under your backhand and forearm.
Reclining Bound Angle Pose: Lie back on the mat, with knees bent apart and soles of the feet together, holding for several minutes. If your neck feels uncomfortable, you can also place a blanket under the neck.
When practicing yoga, proper support can help us relax more effectively and deepen the poses. For instance, when doing stretches for the hips and thighs, you can place a blanket or pillow under your knees or thighs near the hips, especially when there’s tension on the outside of the hips or inside of the thighs. As for support for the hands, you can place a blanket under the back of the hands and forearms to increase comfort.
Using a yoga strap is also a good choice; you can pull the strap over your head and place it on your sacrum, then slide the loop around the inside of your thighs, and finally secure the other end of the strap on your feet. By pulling on the yoga strap, you can help the body maintain stability, while encouraging a slight anterior tilt of the pelvis and keeping both feet together.
Next is the Supported Supine Twist. Lie flat on the mat with knees bent and feet flat on the mat, keeping them shoulder-width apart. Swing your legs side to side several times, then lower both knees to the right side, hold for a few minutes, before repeating the same action on the other side.
The Supported Fish Pose is a great resting position, simply stretch out the legs on the mat and hold for several minutes.
Then you can try the Supported Side-Bending Lounge. Lie flat on the mat with legs straight, shift your right foot to the right side, and cross your left ankle over your right. Gently arch your upper body towards the right upper side while remaining comfortable, and hold for a few minutes, then repeat the same action on the other side.
The Supported Locust Pose requires being on all fours, facing the front of the mat. Slowly lower your belly to the floor, placing your shins and heels on the incline. Cross your hands under your forehead as a pillow, then gently arch your entire back, creating a larger arch, while being mindful of each breath cycle, allowing the belly to release away from the mat on the exhale.
Next is Supported Abdominal Twist. Sit upright with one hip close to the bottom of the mat, knees bent and pointing to the same side, hands on either side of the mat. Slowly lean your torso forward, and try to place your chest on the mat as much as possible. You can turn your head in the opposite direction or towards your knees depending on what feels comfortable and pause.
Then you can try the Supported Child’s Pose, kneeling on the mat with knees apart, lean forward letting your chest drop towards the mat while keeping the sit bones near or on top of your heels. Rest in this position for a few minutes with your head turned to one side.
Finally, we have the Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend. Sit upright facing forward, legs open to about 90 degrees, and lean your torso forward, trying to bring your chest as close to the ground as possible. Your hands can be placed on your forehead for support, or let your forearms and hands rest on the floor with your head gently turned to the side.
If you feel discomfort in your heels, you may try placing them on a soft blanket for added comfort. For those with tight leg muscles, it’s not always easy to reach the sitting pose effortlessly. In such cases, try propping the sitting cushion upright to form a slanted support, resting your forehead lightly on it and leaning slightly forward.
Then, lie on your back on the mat, with the head off the edge of the mat. Shift your body slightly to the left, letting one leg rest on the inclined cushion. Place your left leg at the edge of the mat, while keeping your arms naturally on both sides of your body, palms facing up, or you can place your hands on your abdomen. Hold this position for a few minutes, then switch to the other side and repeat.
In the reclined cow face pose, begin with a reclining position, placing both legs atop the mat. Next, cross your left leg over your right leg, bend your knees, and place your feet on the floor, one on each side of the mat. Place your hands on your abdomen or at your sides, according to personal preference. Maintain this posture for a few minutes, then repeat on the other side.
For the final posture, lie on your back and position your legs vertically on the mat. Place your hands at your sides or on your abdomen. If needed, you can spread a blanket on the bolster, allowing you to easily rest your legs on the mat while also providing a sense of wrapping and security. After practice, notice if the subtle adjustment of the bolster feels more comfortable than simply moving your body relative to the bolster.
Lastly, I would like to caution everyone to be mindful of whether your facial expressions and countenance reflect anxiety, to avoid creating a fearful impression. Such expressions suggest that your viscera may be in a state of tension. We stretch our viscera and promote the circulation of qi and blood by adjusting our body posture, which is the fundamental purpose of yoga poses.