Vicki seabrook featured in Marie claire

Yoga Gets Hard Core

Marie Claire, September 2011
By Danielle Braff

Think all that posing as a Snoozy stretch fast? These intense new variations will kick your butt, tone you fast, and make your Bikram class look like child’s play. 

Best for super-flexibility: Yamuna Body Rolling
What it is:
Body rolling uses pressure from “Yamuna” balls, 4- to 10-inch plastic spheres and half spheres, to loosen muscles. During typical yoga poses, you’ll press on the balls under foot or position them to stimulate areas of the leg, Arm, neck, and back, deepening the pose and realigning your body, says Vicky Lorraine, a body rolling instructor in Portland Oregon. Think of it as a deep tissue massage resulting in circus performer flexibility.

Signature move: extended side angle. Stand in the side lunge with your right leg bent, left arm raised. With each leg bearing equal weight, place a Yumuna half-sphere under your right heel. Pressed down, using the ball to lean into the pose. Hold for three breaths, repeat on the left. 

Learn more: yamunabodyrolling.com

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