Karen Reeves demonstrates a very modified Sugarcane Pose. Photo by Fred Padilla.
By Karen Watson Reeves
[Contributor’s note: 2025 is the year we celebrate 12 years as The Yoga Place, and this calendar year the setting for each month’s pose will be a business in our town that has exhibited “stay power”]
What is it they say about best-laid plans? With all the best of intentions, Fred and I went out and about to do several months of poses for The Springs Magazine in late December, knowing that I would be doing no yoga or any other exercising for a couple of months following an early January surgery.
When I did a Google search for the selected March pose a few days ago, I was completely surprised to see myself coming up in the search for the pose I did in an issue last spring. So far, I have completed 81 months without repeating a pose and as I was determined not to repeat this month either, we set out to the same site and I very carefully modified another posture to focus on this month.
As the calendar turns to March my thoughts turn to spring. Of course, there will still be cold wintry days, but the days get longer and lighter and warmer, and outdoor activity becomes more enticing. Cycling has really taken off in our community and it’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and get a good workout. As with almost any physical activity, yoga is helpful before and after to both strengthen and stretch the muscles used, whether it is running, walking, tennis, cycling, etc.
It really is humbling not to be able to do the “full” pose when pre-surgery it was not very challenging for me, but I am trying to practice what I teach as I listen to my body during this healing process. So, while I could not put all my weight on the standing leg, that leg was still being strengthened and I was working on balance at the level that I could that day. While I could not hold the foot of my bent leg, my quad was still getting a gentle stretch.
The muscles of the glutes, hip flexors, hamstrings, shoulders, and psoas are engaged to support the body to remain in balance in Sugarcane Pose. The shoulders, chest, and quadriceps are stretched increasing overall flexibility. Focus and concentration are required to stay in the posture for a few breaths.
This pose is helpful before and after a bike ride. And while the surgery and recovery have made me feel at least as old as my age, there is nothing like a fun bike ride to bring back the freedom and elation of childhood. You should definitely get on two wheels and experience the freedom of gliding through the air! Don’t forget to warm up and cool down with some yoga. You can modify just like I did!
{Parkside Cycle is located at 719 Whittington Avenue and will be celebrating 30 years in business in a few weeks.}
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. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. Please find more information about her studio and her schedule of classes at www.theyogaplacehs.com.
