We've spent a fair bit of our time focusing on hip mobility, and exploring hip movements with a stability and control in mind. We will continue on our journey, gradually adding more complex and challenging movements to our repertoire.

We also talked some about the shoulder and how to move access arm movement with that same idea of stability and control. This too will be the subject of our future exploration.

The piece that links the two - and provides a vital support to both the hip and shoulder girdles  - are the layers of abdominal muscles around our torso.

Anatomically, the core involves the musculature closest to the center of the body. Tension in the core places stress on the entire structure, undermining both the foundation and also the periphery of that structure. For moment-to-moment support, the core needs to be flexible, resilient and alert.

When abdominal muscles are held tense - either through habit, trying to appear thinner, or due to bracing against stress, pain or anxiety - they are unable to meet the centering needs of the body.

Rebuilding this structural support often requires careful dismantling of not only our physical holding patterns, but also the emotional ones. This is why I don't broach this subject until we are well into our yoga practice exploration.

Converse is also true: freeing and rebuilding our abdominal support layers brings the feelings of centeredness, stability and emotional resiliency.

We will tread forward gently, allowing our nervous system to adapt and adjust to the changes we are making.

In class we talked about and explored abdominal layers on the sides of the torso. Here is some more reading in that regard: https://www.satoriyoga.ca/the-most-important-core-exercise-that-you-are-probably-not-doing/

Hugs!