How to use your body to soothe your mind.

Calm Practice

Butterfly

Calm and release tricky emotions while unlocking our hips, where so many emotions can become stuck.

Here’s how!

• Sit on the floor and bring the soles of your feet together. Allow your knees to fall out to the sides. You may slide two yoga blocks (or pillows) under your knees for support, if desired.

Try one of these variations!

• Fold forward so you are draped over towards your feet. Prop yourself up with a bolster, pillow, or yoga block so that you can sink into the pose without effort. This variation is effective if you want to turn inwards and quieten your mind.
• Place a bolster or pillow behind you and lie back onto it. This variation is effective if you want more expansion and opening through your heart space. It can feel a little vulnerable, so it might feel nice to drape a blanket over yourself.

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You can practice butterfly pose in many different Yoga classes. On the Peloton App, one of my favorite 20-minute Yin Yoga classes is a hip-focused class with Kristin McGee. This is a great class to wind down after a long day, especially after an extended period of sitting, an intense lower body strength workout or ride, or (for women) ‘that time of the month.’ The third pose we hold during this Yin Yoga class is butterfly pose.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Ballagh, R. (2024). Cat Cow. 101 Ways to Find Calm: How to Use Your Body to Soothe Your Mind. P. 58-59.