One inspiring cue:

Lift through the lower part of your sternum as you come into your Upward-Facing Dog. 

I like to think of an elevator (lower sternum/xiphoid process) going up. Try visualizing your xiphoid process and lifting from there.

Why?
There’s something (at least for me) that the extra lift in the lower sternum gives me in the pose that creates a little more core stability and lower back length. Give it a try!!

One inspiring tip:

When moving from Updog to Downdog, initiate the movement from the xiphoid/low sternum. Once again, this may offer you a little more core stability. A rheumatologist I know who practices yoga gave me this cue to help take pressure out of my back during this transition. It makes a huge difference for me!

One inspiring song:

“Still Trying” by Nathaniel Rateliff

One inspiring quote:

“The groundwork for all happiness is good health.”
– Leigh Hunt

Nutrition nugget:

Have you heard of Natto? I hadn’t until I came across it in my Healthy Bones Nutrition Plan and Cookbook. It seems to be a hero food when it comes to bone health. Here’s what Dr. Laura Kelly has to say, “Our bodies make very little K2, so unless you eat the Japanese fermented bean called Natto, it can be challenging to get as much of this essential vitamin as we need from food. Natto is the major source, with Gouda cheese, pastured poultry dark meat, pastured eggs, natural milk, and some other foods and lesser quantities being a distant second.”

Please note that she said PASTURED MEAT AND EGGS. You want to look for pasture raised foods when you are at the grocery store because they have a different nutrient profile vs. non-pasture raised foods.

I looked at Whole Foods and didn’t see it sold, so I found this brand online. WARNING: Natto does not taste great. It’s a little gooey and is described as smelling like dirty socks. Eeeks! Here’s a tip – I have been adding a TBSP to my smoothies and don’t taste it at all.