Cat/Cow Pose. Such a funny name and the first time I did it, frankly

I felt silly! In Kundalini Yoga, this is a safe way to stretch your

spine and open your heart and throat chakras.

I was way past teacher’s training, and had actually been teaching

daily classes for a couple of years when I was pregnant and in a

couple’s pregnancy workshop with my mentor and teacher, Gurmukh, at

Golden Bridge Yoga. She had us get into cat/cow pose and face each

other as partners (spouse to spouse - lover to lover) and do the pose

saying “meow” when we were in cat and “moo” when we were in cow. Boy

did we ever laugh at that…the whole class. And she stopped us and said,

“This is your 1st lesson as a parent, learn how to make simple things

fun and that is how you will connect with your children.” Talk about a

different take on the “practice” of yoga.

So, this is a great pose to do when you are pregnant, it is a safe

and effective way to stretch your spine and practice breathing with

movement. Also, concentrate on your heart and throat chakras opening,

and feel the love and communication flowing…and above all, laugh a

little…lighten up!

Come on all 4’s with your palms flat on the ground, pressing your

full thumb into the floor. Feel centered and adjust yourself as needed.

Take a big breath in and out. Then inhale as you slowly stretch your

head and neck up toward the ceiling while simultaneously pressing thru

your heart into your palms and allowing your tailbone to lift up toward

the ceiling. On the exhale curve your spine into a full round, chin

toward chest, pelvic tilted toward the head…just like a cat. Repeat,

slowly working your way up to15x’s. If you get dizzy or light headed,

stop and breath deeply. Always check with your medical provider before

beginning any exercise program.

Alisa Donner, MSW, LCSW, Yoga Teacher, Co-founder of PAM, and a mom