In my yoga classes this week, we had a spring theme. Spring is a great time of the year with hive of activities; flowers blooming and birds singing. It feels like everything’s opening into action after the long months of winter. We did ‘Brahmari’ (the bees breath) and practiced some spontaneous movements to open the body. Excitingly, we also tried doing some bunny hopping :)
It’s an exhilarating and fun way to learn jump back and it’s incredibly strengthening. ‘Jump back’ is often used in Ashtanga style of sun salutation sequence. I found that people were less intimidated by bunny hopping, perhaps because of the name!
In this method, you will be coming into a posture called ‘Malasana’ (wide squatting position). Practicing Malasana is a fantastic way to open the hips and strengthen the legs, ankles and feet.
Preparation
I recommend that you warm up by doing movements that open the hips such as ‘Anjaneyasana’ (low lunge) and ‘Prasarita Padottanasana’ (wide-legged forward bend. Also try doing some ‘Half Sun Salutation and Modified Sun Salutation’, and release the wrist and ankles by gently circling through the joints in both directions.
How to do bunny hops
Start in ‘Adho Mukha Svanasana’ (downward facing dog). Begin by stepping one leg at a time, forwards and back few times. When your comfortable with the movement, try hopping both feet forwards, just behind your hands, and gently hop back into downward facing dog. Repeat this several times. On your last go, try holding in Malasana for several breaths. Return back to downward facing dog and rest in ‘Balasana’ (childpose). Finish your practice by doing ‘Savasana’ (Full relaxation pose).
Finally take a few moments to feel the effects of the practice by sitting in a comfortable seated posture and contemplate on Haiku poem on spring by Osho, Zen master.
Sitting Silently,
Doing nothing,
Spring comes,
And the grass grows by itself.