What is the Janka Rating Scale?

When you’re shopping for hardwood floors, you may notice a number describing a Janka rating. If you’re wondering what this number means and what the Janka rating scale is, we have you covered!

How it Works

The Janka rating scale was created to rank the various degrees of hardness throughout the different species of hardwoods. Similar to a laminate AC rating, the hardwood floor hardness determines the durability of the species. The Janka number is found by pushing a steel ball into a 2″ x 2″ x 6″ wood plank. The number of pounds per square inch (PSI) needed to push the steel ball into the wood is the Janka rating number.

To ensure consistent results, wood grains are taken into consideration when testing. Since vertical grains handle differently, they are tested but not often used in the Janka rating system.

Janking Ratings by Numbers

Janka ratings are from 0 to 4,000.The lower the rating, the easier the species is susceptible to scratches and dents. The higher the rating, the more resistant the floor will be to dents and scratches.

Due to different metrics used between countries, not all Janka ratings are measured the same. With the amount of variations, some Janka ratings are stated as just “good” or “bad”.

“Good” vs. “Bad” Janka Ratings

“Good” ratings show that with the proper care and damage prevention, the hardwood floor can look good and last for years to come.

You usually will not see a hardwood floor with a “bad” rating. Those ratings are typically reserved for woods used for products other than flooring, such as Balsa wood used for crafts.

Is it a factor when purchasing?

So should you base your flooring decision with a high priority towards the Janka rating? Yes and no depending on your situation. Most hardwood floors require proper care and maintenance to have a long life. Although a floor may have a low Janka rating, if it is properly maintained, it could outlast a higher ranked wood. If you have a home with children or pets, you may want to consider a harder wood due to the wear and tear it may receive. All hardwoods, no matter the ranking, are susceptible to dents and scratching.

Oak Flooring

Oak flooring is one of the most popular hardwood floors, yet it is also one of the softer floors. The ratings vary depending on what style of oak you get. It is so popular because it is such an affordable type of wood – not because of its Janka rating. You may also find oak floors with special finishes to help protect it from wear and tear.

Engineered Hardwood

Due to the construction of engineered hardwood, it does not have a Janka rating. Only solid hardwood floors can be tested.

Janka Scale

Below you’ll find the hardness ratings for common species of wood. Specific Janka ratings will differ per the manufacturer.

The post What is the Janka Rating Scale? appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Five Pasta Salads for Summer Entertaining

Guest Post by Mary Ellen Smith of Superior Woodcraft and Mary Ellen's Cooking Creations


Pasta Salad - it's one of those dishes you see at every summer picnic or BBQ. But pasta salad doesn't have to be boring or traditional. Over the years I have made pasta salad in many different ways as I love experimenting with different ingredients and flavors. I find it fun to make a dish that helps create a theme for my food. Once I have one menu item planned, the rest comes easily.

Below is a roundup of my favorite pasta salads. Click on the titles to see the recipes. Which one makes your mouth water?




1. Antipasto Pasta Salad

This salad is everything I love about antipasto in one dish. Meats and cheeses, your favorite fresh vegetables, and an oregano-red wine vinaigrette - this one is my favorite!









2. Caprese Pasta Salad

Tomatoes and basil taste like summer to me, so this dish is the perfect bright and fresh pasta salad. I mix the pasta with tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella and toss it all with some good olive oil and balsamic vinegar.With the basil adding so much flavor you really don't need more than that for a dressing.

3. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Once the warm weather arrives I start planning all of my meals with grilled vegetables and I grill everything, even broccoli. For this pasta dish, I used grilled asparagus, peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and even garlic that I roasted on the grill. Summer squash and zucchini, and even grilled broccoli, would be welcome additions. Again, I keep the dressing simple so as not to overpower the flavor of the vegetables.






4. South of the Border Pasta Salad


This salad is the perfect accompaniment to a Tex-Mex or Mexican inspired menu. Corn, beans, peppers (spicy or mild), tomatoes and cilantro tossed with a chili-lime dressing.

5. Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

A sundried tomato oil coats your pasta giving it a wonderfully tangy flavor, while fresh tomatoes and basil add brightness.

I hope you find something new to try for your next summer gathering. Enjoy!

Source:
Mary Ellen's Cooking Creations
Eat - Drink - Be Family

Superior Woodcraft is a local custom cabinet maker located in Doylestown, Bucks County, PA.

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft's Blog



Dare to Be Bold

It’s time to throw off the design doldrums and put some pizzazz into your home’s interiors. For the past several years the trend has been toward subdued but refined styles – all those slate blues and grays and ruddy metallics and toned down earth colors. But the tide is turning. The look for 2016 is for bold, bright and brash. Happy days are here again, at least in the design world. The mood is upbeat, confident, daring.

Gone are the pale pastels and soft herbal shades. Designers today are leaning toward highly saturated hues of blue and red and eye-popping oranges and yellows. Instead of copper and bronze, think gold, silver and platinum. Large-scale patterns are making a comeback in textiles and wallcoverings. Classic designs are being updated in warmer colors. It seems like forever that designers favored a canvas of neutral walls, floorcoverings and furnishings dotted with bits of colored accessories. The trend is reversing, with bold colors on walls setting the mood, complemented by a few select pieces in sophisticated neutral shades. Chairs and sofas are more compact and to normal scale, but upholstered in bright colors or striking patterns. We are living in the Age of Design, and designers are saying, let’s celebrate that!

Go ahead and unleash your inner designer. A word of caution, though. It takes an experienced designer to strike the right balance of bold and tasteful. A few missteps and bold will devolve into gaudy, or worse. With our network of vetted professionals, we can match you with designers who specialize in the look that best expresses your taste and sense of style. Contact us to request an appointment for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.

Summer Break

The family is off a road trip today, we’re headed across California to Las Vegas to finish up a the last few spaces around the house before my dear Aunt moves in. It will be our last trip there for some time.

There are a lot of details to wrap up on this house we’ve been remodeling for the past year. This is a “working” vacation since there are many project that await, but not really work when you love what you do. :)

I’ll be installing my dream backsplash in the kitchen and another in the master bathroom, follow along behind the scenes on Instagram for a few sneak peeks as we complete the finishing touches. I’ll have a few more transformed spaces to share with you in July, and I’ll be back this Friday with another link roundup.

Have a wonderful week ! 

xo ~ Kate

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Summer Break is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2015, all rights reserved.

The post Summer Break appeared first on Centsational Girl.

How To Refresh Wooden Furniture*

If you follow us on Facebook you will possibly already have seen, that we recently managed to purchase a fantastic new sideboard from one of our local antique centres. Unsure what to do with it, we thought we’d ask you guys what you think so we ran a quick survey to see if you think... 

Read More »

The post How To Refresh Wooden Furniture* appeared first on Little House On The Corner.

How To Make Old Furniture Look Hip & Modern!

Do you have any tired, old furniture hanging around the house?

Did you inherit some pieces from a family member and don’t quite know how to fit it into your newer, more modern style?

Yes, paint can work miracles. But creative painting does so much more!

Keep scrolling down to see what I mean! ;-)

DESIGNER: Knack Studios

IMG SOURCE: remodelista.com

Bold color choices accentuate a piece, causing it to stand out as an art object.

DESIGNERS: Jesse Carrier & Mara Miller

IMG SOURCE: HouseBeautiful.com

Upholstering an old chair in the same color as the frame will make a chair appear more sculptural and modern. Its look is then defined by its shape.

IMG SOURCE: kphblog.com

The glossier the finish, the more modern its appearance will be. Do know, though, that glossy paint has to be applied to a fine, smooth surface for your efforts to be successful.

IMG SOURCE: apartmenttherapy.com

Here’s an old sideboard posted by Spring, Texas' best consignment store, Stillgoode Consignment:

IMG SOURCE: stillgoode.com

What color would you paint it?

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CLICK HERE for INSTANT ACCESS!

Designer Review: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design

Move to LA to become an actor and end up a world famous interior decorator? It sounds like the plot to a cheesy made for TV movie, but its actually the real life story of interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard.

The Impressive Client List

Bullard has an extensive celebrity client list that ranges from Christina Aguilera, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, Eva Mendes, Edward Norton, Cher, Ellen Pompeo, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, Kid Rock, and Tommy Hilfiger – to name just a few! His style has been described as being Hollywood mixed with ethnic eclectic.

As a teenager he began to buy and sell antiques, which he used to fund his move to LA to pursue acting. He admits that design has been in his genes his entire life; he just never realized he could make a life long career out of it until the opportunities fell in his lap.

The TV Spot

In a round about way, he still wound up as a TV personality as well. He starred in the Bravo series, Million Dollar Decorator, which followed interior designers as they designed homes for A-list clients. He starred in a British show called Hollywood Me, where they bring Brits to LA for makeovers while Bullard secretly redecorates their homes in the UK. He also frequently has guest spots on The View, among a handful of other TV segments.

Million Dollar Decorator sometimes made it look like having celebrity clients may be more stressful and dramatic than your regular clientele. In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Bullard said that wasn’t the case. “When you’re dealing with a client’s home, it’s a very personal space to be in. And when you’re spending their hard-earned money, that’s even more of a touchy situation…there is nothing more rewarding than creating a special, individual space for a client: a place for them to call their own and be proud of.”

He continued on about his clientele, saying, “Celebrities live their lives in the spotlight. As such, it’s vital for their homes to be sanctuaries – places for complete relaxation and privacy. My one great joy with my celebrity clients over the years has been their passion to live out their fantasies, be it an Indian palace in Hollywood, a Tuscan villa in Malibu or an English country cottage in New York City. I’m here to be their enabler and make these fantasies into decorative reality.”

The Award Goes To…

He’s won interior design awards, ranging from Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, to the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year Award in 2010. He published a top-selling book called Live, Love, Decorate, which included a forward written by Elton John! He also branched into commercial designing for boutiques, restaurants, and hotels around the world. In 2010 he introduced a fabric collection and has gone on to create successful home furnishing offerings.

You can follow more from this designer for the stars and his gorgeous work on Instagram (@martynbullard) or at his website (www.martynlawrencebullard.com).

The post Designer Review: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Art & Home: Erik Johansson

Erik Johansson: Photographer and Digital Manipulator

Photograph manipulation has been around since the creation of photography itself. However, the editors of the past didn’t have Photoshop to work with. All editing was done in the darkroom by hand. It’s interesting to think that photography was created to capture the world as we see it, and yet we have been making better techniques to manipulate these real images into something from a dream.

Erik Johansson has mastered the art of editing photographs to create breath-taking, surreal images. The photographs are so seamlessly put together that it’s hard to tell where the reality ends and the dream begins. Johansson is a Swedish artist working in Berlin, Germany. He does all the photography and creating of his images, no stock photos are used in his work. From an early age, he began drawing and eventually moved to photography after getting his first digital camera at the age of 15. Photography was not enough to satisfy his creativity though. He felt it almost too easy, since the creative process was complete as soon as the shutter button was pressed. So, he took his photos to the computer and began editing them, combining his love for drawing with his interest in photography.

Drifting Away, Erik Johansson, 2013

Erik Johansson did not choose photography as his career initially. He studied computer engineering in college, but continued with his photography and photo manipulation as a hobby. After posting some of his work online, he began to get noticed by local advertisement agencies who asked him for help with retouching photographs. Eventually he was freelancing, along with doing his personal work and studies. Johansson switched majors and graduated with a masters in Interaction Design and began pursuing a career path in photography.

It is apparent that he is greatly influenced by M.C. Escher, with his twisted perspective pictures and his love of reflective surfaces. He begins his work with a sketch, an idea, for a photograph. Then he begins planning on how to make his fabricated picture a reality. Johansson’s photographs take a lot of planning and problem solving to create, since all of his photographs are his own original images that he combines into one flawless image. His next step is taking the photographs, paying special attention to light and perspective so the end result will mesh. And the last step is putting the photograph together. From beginning to end, it can take as little as a few days to a year or more to create one image. He sees his images as puzzles. Little pieces of pictures that he has created that he can combine into one final piece of art.

Reverberate, Erik Johansson, 2011

Johansson’s work has gotten noticed by companies such as Google, National Geographic, and even Adobe to create promotional artwork for them. In 2013, Adobe asked him to do a live presentation to promote their new software release for Photoshop. The idea was to make live retouching of people waiting unaware at a bus stop. Below is the mind-blowing video where you can watch Johansson in his element. To see more of Erik Johansson’s work, or to get more insight into his work process, visit his website at http://www.erikjohanssonphoto.com/.

Inspired by Erik Johansson

Erik Johansson sells his artwork as prints that you can purchase on his website. So being able to acquire an authentic Johansson in your home is very simple. For $60-$120 you get a gallery quality art print on archival paper with archival inks, so your print will last for decades. Having one of his prints in your home would give your family and guests an interesting talking point at parties and gatherings! The surreal scenes he creates pull you in and take you to a place that could only come from Johansson’s mind.

Endless Reflections, Erik Johansson, 2015

I thought a Nordic themed interior design paired well with Johansson’s work as a nod towards his Swedish origins. The Nordic style is reminiscent of the Northern European countries from where it gets its name, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. It is a very unique style that brings elements from rustic decor and modern decor and melts them together. Nordic style is characterized by white floors, such as Kronoswiss Rigoletto White D18019BD featured in the design below, weathered wood furniture, and fur rugs. Keep the wall paint colors to whites or muted, pastel colors. The idea is to keep the space clean and bright. You can accessorize the space with antlers, a steamer truck coffee table, and butterfly chairs with fur throw blankets. To bring a pop of color in, try making your own succulent terrariums! Use moss for the ground covering, instead of sand or stones to give a lush feel to your miniature garden. Most importantly, have fun with the design! It’s such a beautiful way to modernize and bring yourself in touch with nature.

What did you think of Erik Johansson’s work? How about Nordic decor? Leave a comment below letting me know how you feel about this week’s Art & Home post!

The post Art & Home: Erik Johansson appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Celebrity Homes: Lena Dunham’s Home in LA

Lena Dunham previously told Vogue “L.A. just wasn’t her bag”. However, this March the New York native spent a whopping $2.7 million on a Los Angeles home right off Sunset Boulevard. (She also bought a new condo in Brooklyn, NY in May 2014 for $4.89 million!)

Lena is an award winning actress, author, screenwriter, producer, and director. She’s best known for creating, writing, and starring in the successful HBO comedy-drama series, Girls, now in it’s fifth season. She also reached #2 on the New York Times Best Seller List in late 2014 for her book, “Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s “Learned.”

Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

We love the cozy and quaint remodeled 1920’s craft of Lena Dunham’s home in LA. It’s a three-bedroom, three-bath 2,500 square foot home that includes three covered porches, a guesthouse, and a saltwater pool.

Here are two more things we love about this L.A. home:

Crisp White Everywhere

We love the crisp white that permeates throughout the house, starting with the bright white exterior with the siding, trim, and columns. Inside there are vibrant white walls, including all built-ins, white or super light floors, and an airy white kitchen. The white throughout is enhanced by the sunlight that streams in through the many white-trimmed windows and doors.

Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

Excellent Built-Ins

We are obsessed with the gorgeous built-ins throughout the house. In one room, in what looks like a converted garage, there are large bookshelves built in with windows in the middle that let in light. In another room there is a full wall of shelving with glass doors that offers visual interest while also serving as great storage.

Photo Credit: TMZ

Photo Credit: TMZ

To follow Lena Dunham and learn more about her style, visit her Facebook page or website.

The post Celebrity Homes: Lena Dunham’s Home in LA appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

GET THE LOOK: 10 Must-Have 'Bloodline' / Florida Keys Inspired Furnishings & Decor!

Have you binge-watched Netflix's Bloodline yet? If so...

I bet you fell in love with the family's beach house, just like I did!

And I also bet that after reading my recent interview with Bloodline's Production Designer Scott P. Murphy — the one where he revealed how and why he designed the home's interiors like he did — you now have an urge to recreate its relaxed, Florida Keys energy in your own home.

RELATED: The 'Bloodline' House: How It Was Designed & Decorated!

Well I've got good news for you:

I've found some interesting items you can buy and combine to bring that sunny, serene Bloodline vibe to wherever you call home!

 

There's nothing more fun to me than putting these products together to create this look.

Now you can have that Florida Keys style in your home, wherever you are. ;-)

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*Disclaimer: DESIGNED w/ Carla Aston is not responsible for the items on these boards. Please direct all concerns to a product's manufacturer.

A

Wallpaper

B

Wall Lantern

C

Palm Beach Lantern

D

Sail Model

E

Maritime Wall Clock

F

Florida Keys Chart

G

Loveseat

H

Table Lamp

I

Curtains

J

Butcher Block

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What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring is a timeless option that continues to gain popularity when remodeling or building a new home. The most common types of hardwood floors are solid and engineered. You may find yourself asking, what is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood floors?

To help answer this question, we discuss the top five differences between the two types of hardwoods:

How They’re Made

The biggest difference between engineered and solid hardwoods is how these types of floors are made. Engineered hardwood is made by attaching a veneer of real hardwood over a core board or plyboard center, thus giving it more durability and temperature resistance. Solid hardwood is made completely out of real, natural hardwood.

Durability

Hardwoods are known for their durability and ability to withstand the time. Due to the differences in their construction, engineered hardwood is more durable in rooms with radiant heat, moisture, or cement subfloors (such as a basement). Since solid hardwood is a completely natural product, it is durable, but requires maintenance to avoid cracking, expansion and other damages. Adding a surface finish can help to lessen the damages and protect the floor for longer.

Climate Change

You might not think that the weather can affect your flooring, but it is a serious factor to consider when deciding on which flooring type to go with. Engineered hardwood is constructed to work well in climates that change frequently or are extreme. The plywood core prevents large expansions or contractions due to weather. On the other hand, solid hardwood can cup, expand, and buckle as the temperatures fluctuate since it is a natural product that absorbs moisture and humidity.

Uniformity

Beauty is another huge reason hardwoods are such a popular option when it comes to flooring. With natural wood, you will get varied patterns and grains. With engineered hardwood, you will find a more uniformed look between planks. Solid hardwood is better known for its unique composition and varied grains.

Price

Generally, engineered hardwood is more cost effective than solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood is cheaper to produce and also allows for DIY installation and long-term maintenance. Solid hardwoods usually require professional installation that can increase your budget for a flooring project, as well as re-finishing down the line.

Which is Right for You?

Deciding between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood isn’t always easy. However, if you live in a climate with high temperatures and humidity, engineered hardwood is the way to go. This type of flooring will mimic the look of solid hardwood and stay looking spectacular for years to come. Both engineered hardwood and solid hardwood create a beautiful hardwood look in your home and can also help to increase the value of your home.

Which flooring would you go with?

The post What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood floors? appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Black + White Art

I’m not alone in my love of a black and white art gallery wall, whether it’s a display of black and white photography or a collection of art prints, the medley is so sophisticated and never goes out of style.

I was shopping Etsy this week as I often do for new art prints for the living room, I’ll be combining a few black and white illustrations, abstracts, and watercolors. I channeled my inner artist last year and created my own DIY botanical which I’m still loving framed in the same spot. 

I adore Nina’s black and white art gallery wall, it is so striking above the dark sofa, the monochromatic palette continues throughout this space.

stylizmo

Etsy, Society6, and Minted are three sources I often shop to support independent artists and I always find something to love to add to my growing collection. Apartment Therapy rounded up a great list of sources for purchasing affordable art, it’s worth a read.

Art is completely subjective, we all have pieces that speak to us and that’s the best way to choose art, it should be a reflection of your personality and taste. Here are a dozen of my new favorites in black and white.

ink flowers / figure study  / feathers / poppies / love typography / pick up sticks / wild tulips / typographic state / octopus / birches / custom bridal / amore

Have you arranged a black and white gallery in your home, photographs or art prints?

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Black + White Art is a post from Centsational Girl Republishing this article in full or in part is a violation of copyright law. © 2009-2015, all rights reserved.

The post Black + White Art appeared first on Centsational Girl.

Desk Yoga for Hips, Legs and Lower Back

Did you try any of the stretches in Desk Yoga Part 1 for Shoulders and Neck? If you enjoyed those, I have 10 more stretches for the lower half of your body in Desk Yoga for Hips, Legs and Lower Back! Now, you’ll have a full body set of stretches to use whenever you’re feeling tight.

If you spend hours of your day sitting at the office, or driving, you know the, “I need to move” feeling in your legs, hips and back. Whether it’s poor posture, a bad chair or tight muscles, doing a few stretches could help alleviate some of the tension and discomfort.

Once again, these exercises can be done virtually anywhere! All seated, and all pretty simple. Remember, all of these moves should be done with a good posture!

Good Posture:

• Plant your feet firmly on the ground, about hip distance apart.
• Move away from the back of your chair, allowing your back to be straight, as if your back was against a wall.
• Shoulders should be relaxed.
• Neck slightly tucked towards the chin.
• Ears above the shoulders.
• Use this posture through all of the following moves!

1. Seated Forward Fold

• Scoot to the front of your chair and extend your legs out in front of you. Toes pointed or flexed (up to you). Flexed feet will give you a deeper stretch in your calves.
• Inhale reaching above your head, lengthening through the spine.
• Exhale, hinging at the waist, fold over your legs (if you’re in a chair will wheels, be careful that is doesn’t move out from under you!)
• Take a few deep breathes, allowing yourself to melt into the stretch a little more with each exhale.
• Inhale and roll your spine up one vertebra at a time. Repeat as necessary.

2. Seated Extended Side Angle

• Take an inhale and lengthen through the spine.
• Exhale, leaning forward, bringing the right elbow, forearm and hand to the top of your thighs.
• Keeping a straight spine, twisting and lengthening your torso to the left hand side, extending the left arm up and over your head.
• Gently gaze over your left bicep. Stay here for 1-3 breathes.
• Inhale back to center.
• Repeat the twist on the left side.

The deeper you can extend and fold forward, the deeper the stretch throughout the whole side and low back.

3. Seated Pigeon

• Plant your feet firmly on the ground, maintaining a proper posture (remember to scoot closer to the edge of your chair)
• Inhale your right leg up and cross over your left thigh, allowing the ankle to rest on the top of the thigh, in a figure four shape.
• You may already feel the stretch at this point. To take it a little further, hinge at the waist and begin to bend forward over the leg.
• Take 3-5 deep breathes.
• Inhale and roll up the spine. Repeat on the left leg.

4. Knee to Chest

• Inhale your right knee into your chest, lengthening through the spine and giving your knee a squeeze in.
  • If you don’t have arms on your chair, you can gently move your knee out to the side, opening up the hip a little more.
• Exhale, lowering your leg.
• Repeat on the other side.

5. Wide leg forward fold

This pose may not be the most attractive to do at work or in public, but it feels SO good.

• With your legs bent, open your knees, coming into a wide seated stance.
• Inhale, straightening through the spine, and hinging at the waist to fold over your legs.
• Take 1-3 breathes
• Inhale and walk your hands to your right leg.
• Take 1-3 breathes
• Inhale and walk your hands back to center, and then over to your left leg.
• Take 1-3 breathes.

6. Alternate Straight Leg Foot Extension

• Inhale the right leg straight out in front of you, left leg stays bent.
• Flex the right foot towards your face.
• Inhale reaching the arms up.
• Exhale fold over the right leg. If you can touch your toes, you can grab your foot, bending slightly at the elbows and pulling yourself a little deeper.
• Inhale, roll up the spine.
• Repeat on the left side.

7. Leg Raises

• Starting in good posture, inhale, flexing the right foot and lift to hip height. Point the foot at the top, exhale and lower.
• Switch to the left leg and repeat on each side 5 times.
• After completing that set, reverse the motion.
• Inhale, pointing the toes to lift. At the top, flex the foot, exhale and lower.
• Switch to the left leg and repeat on each side 5 times.

8. Seated Prayer Twists

• Maintaining a solid posture, inhale your palms to heart center.
• Twist through the torso, bringing your left elbow to the right thigh.
• Press through the hands to lengthen through the torso, chest and shoulders.
• Inhale to center.
• Switch and repeat on the left side.

9. Half Lotus

This exercise might require some stretchier pants and open hips. I recommend trying this after warming up with other stretches. You could hear all of my joints crack when I got into the picture above! If you have knee problems, this probably isn’t a stretch you will want to attempt.

• Sitting with good posture, allow the left leg to be stable on the ground and lift your right leg into a figure four, right ankle over left thigh (as in the Pigeon stretch above).
• Using your hand, move the foot into the groin crease, or as close as you are able to go.
• Take 3 breathes.
• Lower your leg back to the ground and repeat on the other side.
• If your hips are open and you’re feeling good,  you may want to attempt full lotus, with both legs crossed, feet in the groin creases. Warm up with half lotus on each leg before attempting the full lotus.

10. Seated Thread the Needle

• Inhale the right arm up and bring the left forearm and hand to the top of your thighs.
• Exhale and begin to bend forward, bringing the extended right arm through the space between your left elbow and torso, resting the right shoulder now on your thighs.
• You can either keep your left arm down, or inhale it to the sky. Inhaling the left arm up with begin to open the chest and shoulder.
  • If your left arm is extended, turn your palm to face the right side of your body. Bend at the elbow and allow the top of your hand to rest on your back, extending through the left shoulder.
• Take 3 breathes.
• Inhale back to center and repeat on the left side.

Hope these help relieve some tension. Questions and feedback is very welcome. Happy Stretching!

Namaste,

Alana

The post Desk Yoga for Hips, Legs and Lower Back appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.