Karen Watson Reeves demonstrates two versions of Five Point Star Pose, a beginner-friendly pose that utilizes every muscle in the body. Photography: Fred Padilla.
**One free class to the first person to identify the location of the mural in the photo. ** Email Karen at theyogaplacehs@gmail.com.
By Karen Watson Reeves
If you have ever read the bio blurb at the end of my articles, you will have seen that I am a registered children’s yoga teacher. Before becoming a yoga instructor, I taught three-year-old preschool for over a decade and have volunteered in various children’s activities all during my adult life.
It is not difficult for my inner child to come out and play. For children’s classes, and for adult classes as well, Five Point Star Pose is a good way to start, since it is very beginner-friendly. It is said that when practiced correctly, Star Pose will utilize every muscle in the body.
Star Pose offers a moment of quiet grounding, as the student’s feet plug down into the earth. At the same time, the head reaches up toward the sky, elongating the spine, and the arms are outstretched. Extending through the fingertips helps open the chest and lengthen out through the shoulders. Taking several breaths in the position helps create space in the muscles (the intercostals) that are between each rib.
This pose is also useful as a transition into several of the standing poses such as Triangle and Warrior 2. Other benefits include strengthening the shoulders, arms, and sacrum; improving alignment and balance in the body and flexibility in the joints, opening the chest and rib cage to counteract the forward pull of typing, texting, and overall poor posture.
And IF your inner child needs to come out and play (I will hazard a guess that it does, indeed!), you can add movement and music to this pose. Become a Tipping Star, as in the second photo. Begin singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and incorporate a twist to the rhythm of the song, first turning to one side touching left toes with right fingers, and switching sides as you sing.
The children around you will definitely want to join in. After a round or two, once again become a Five Point Star, which will increase concentration, core strength, and balance as you practice stillness in your own space. And then start all over again with the movement. It’s fun to be a star! Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. She is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff and is an adjunct instructor at National Park College. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. For more information about her studio and her schedule of classes, visit www.theyogaplacehs.com.
