Find your inner dolphin
What’s the porpoise of Dolphin Push-Ups, you ask? They are the single best way I know to build the strength and flexibility necessary for playful inverted yoga poses such as Headstand and Forearm Stand.
Dolphin Push-Ups
1. From a kneeling position at the centre of your yoga mat, interlace your fingers and cross your thumbs. Then place the forearms on the ground in a V shape with your elbows shoulder distance apart.
2. Now build Dolphin Pose on this foundation by curling your toes under, piking your hips skyward and straightening your legs. Drive the forearms dynamically down and towards the front of your mat until the body resembles an A-frame.
3. Gazing forward, lower down and plant a kiss on your thumbs as you inhale. Keep your hips lifted rather than lowering the body into plank.
4. Then exhale strongly back to Dolphin Pose, ensuring your hips reach away from the elbows in one straight line. 5. Repeat this push-up action nine more times, emphasizing deep breaths, methodical movement and clean alignment. Feel free to deepen the experience by touching your chin, throat or even the top of your breastbone to thumbs. YuMee Chung is a recovering lawyer who teaches yoga in Toronto. She is on the faculty of a number of yoga teacher training programs and leads international yoga retreats. Learn more about her at padmani.com