Day 1 of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Yoga Challenge (9-12-2016)

Introduction:

#OvarianCancerAwarenessYogaChallenge will run 12-18 September 2016

#September is #OvarianCancerAwarenessMonth. From the #AmericanCancerSociety the statistics approximate that in the #USA in 2016, roughly 22,280 women will be diagnosed with #ovariancancer and more than half that amount (14,240) of women will die from ovarian cancer.

#ACS states:  “Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system” – It is a reality that too many women and there families have to face.

Come join the #MiniYogaChallenge -- help us spread #awareness and learn the symptoms.

My two older sisters and I lost our mom to ovarian cancer just four days after she was diagnosed.  That was nine years ago, since then I have joined various groups, supported friends and lost friends, and donated towards research and awareness.

The #IGYogaCommunity has been a phenomenal experience for me over the last year and I have loved doing the #YogaChallenges; meeting some incredibly talented and compassionate yogis and sponsors along the way.

So, I decided this September I wanted to do something more.  I (@lljerseygirl) am hosting this #MiniYogaChallenge, along with co-hosts: @yogasloth @mmaneevese @teri_yaki @nicole_rn @crizia_rn_yoga and @farrahbrown

To be eligible win prizes at the end of the challenge, all participants must:

1. Follow all hosts & sponsors.

2. Repost the banner and share awareness by tagging 3 people in your #IGYogaFamily or anyone else that you want.  

3. Follow along with the hosts and poses each day from the 12^th through the 18^th of September, posting for each day.

4. Please be sure to tag all the hosts and sponsors in every post, along with the tag #OvarianCancerAwarenessYogaChallenge

5. Finally…please make sure your account is public.

Hosts:

@lljerseygirl

@yogasloth

@mmaneevese

@teri_yaki

@nicole_rn

@crizia_rn_yoga

@farrahbrown

Sponsors:

@lljerseygirl

@yogasloth

@pawpawyogawear

@fourseeapparel

@beadsbymelissa

@liforme

@ kulaforkarma (A non-profit that provides training for “yoga, meditation and stress reduction…at no cost to communities in need”)

@youromlife (New sponsor as of 8/31)

Day 1 – #Sukhasana or #EasyPose

Day 2 – #Marjariasana or #SeatedCatCow

Day 3 – #BaddhaKonasana or #ButterflyPose  

Day 4 – #SetuBandhaSarvangasana or #ModifiedBridgePose

Day 5 – #Virahadrasana1 or #WarriorI

Day 6 –  #Malasana or #YogiSquat

Day 7 – #Savasana or #CorpsePose

 

#YogaChallenge #IGYogaFamily #YogaForACause #Yoga

#OvarianCancerAwareness #OvarianCancer #Cancer #Awareness

#SeptemberYogaChallenge

Tonight, I am posting for Day 1 (Monday, 9/12) of the #OvarianCancerAwarenessYogaChallenge on Instagram.

Welcome! I am your host for Day 1. Please go to my bio and click on the link, it will take you to read Haley’s story.  Haley was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer last December and is part of this great challenge and wants to help spread awareness by sharing her story!

Day 1 – #Sukhasana or #EasyPose

Sitting on the floor, cross your legs at the ankles and to ease tension on your hips, you can place a folded blanket or small pillow underneath you; many find this position is more comfortable when their hips are raised. Raise your shoulders up and then back and sit with your back straight. You can rest your hands on your knees or put them in prayer position with your thumbs touching your chest.

Take slow, deep breaths; breathing in and out through your nose.  Try to sit like this for 20 breaths (one breath = one inhalation and one exhalation); if you can only manage 10 or 5, that is fine too.  Just focus on your breathing--listening to the sound of your breath. The more you practice this pose, the easier it will become.

This pose helps to calm the mind, relieve anxiety, open the hips and strengthen the spine. You can also strengthen your upper arms and chest by pressing your palms together and releasing as you breathe, known as a palm press. 

Please make sure to honor your body and only do what you are comfortable with. If you are under a doctor’s care, please check with them first before attempting any of the poses.

Please see @yogasloth for Day 2’s (Tuesday, 9/13) pose tomorrow night and refer to my page for information about the poses, ovarian cancer awareness, and if you don’t know who is posting for the day, come look at my page.