No one is more ready for sun than Mimi Rieger. On April 5, the yoga instructor is slated to lead Cherry Blossom Yoga, an outdoor free class at the foot of the Washington Monument.

And I dont want to have to wear a ski jacket, says the Louisiana native, whose voice hasnt lost its Southern lilt even after 16 years in Washington.

Vicky Hallett

Writes for the MisFits column.

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But if chillier temperatures prevail, Rieger has a surefire way to warm up the crowd: sun salutations.

Known in Sanskrit as surya namaskar, the two series of postures are found in several popular styles of yoga, including Ashtanga, vinyasa and power.

The sequences can look like slower, more controlled versions of the burpees commonly found in boot-camp-type workouts, and they have some of the same physical benefits. Both require people to lower themselves to the ground and get back up again, which raises heart rates and engages muscles all over the body. But sun salutations are a particularly intelligent and safe way to move, Rieger says.

Basically, its the foundation of the yoga I teach, she says. And thats a lot of yoga. Rieger leads 26 classes a week at several studios and gyms across town, in addition to her outreach work through Sweetgreen in Schools and Anacostias Community Wellness Collective.

Every practice starts with the first sun salutation series, or Sun Salutation A (as opposed to Sun Salutation B). Begin by standing tall and lifting your arms to the sky, creating length in the spine and limbs, Rieger says, while taking a deep inhalation.

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Here comes the sun salutation

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Colon Cancer one of the most treatable, beatable, cancers. And thanks to many of you that message is being spread around Central Arkansas. In other words Donna Terrell's Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer was a success

At last count somewhere in the neighborhood of 130 people came out this weekend for our free yoga event.

The message of early detection for colon cancer as well as taking care of our bodies and releasing stress through relaxation and yoga was put out there.

Breezy Osborne Wingfield owner of Barefoot Studios led the yoga class. And it seems we had people who do yoga all the time as well as those who've never never tried it.

"You can work at your own pace. No one's trying to one up each other. It's like do your own thing. It's very invigorating and relaxing too," says Nyree Wine.

Your generosity helped us raise over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this event. It meant a lot to me.

And keep watching because I'll continue spreading the word about colon cancer and early detections and how young people are getting this disease. And i'm looking forward to the second annual Donna Terrell's Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon cancer.

More here:
Yoga Warriors Huge Success