Side Plank Variations

1. For an advanced variation, first come into side plank. 2. Bend the knee of your top leg and take a yogi toe lock on the big toe. 3. Straighten your lifted arm and leg as much as possible. 4. Keep the gaze up and the chest open. 5. Let go of your toe and […]

Crow Pose – Bakasana

Also known as: Crane Pose Type of pose: Arm Balance Benefits: Strengthens the wrist, forearms and abdomen; improves balance Instructions: 1. Bending the knees slightly, bring your palms flat on the floor about shoulder distance apart. 2. Place the knees on the back of the upper arms. 3. Start to come forward, lifting the head […]

Kriya

Definition: Exercises and breathing techniques intended to purify and cleanse the body’s energy channels. For instance, one kriya is to rapidly pump the stomach muscles in and out as if breathing but without taking a breath. Examples: Kundalini yoga makes use of kriyas in order the open the blocked energy channels in the body.

Quick Start Yoga – Week 1

On the first day of your 30-day Quick Start Yoga Guide, we covered essential yoga supplies and you became familiar with two yoga routines that form the basis of this 30 day plan. Now it’s time to lay out a week’s worth of yoga for you to follow. You will do the Daily Stretch Routine […]

30-Day Quick Start Yoga Guide

Yoga seems to be everywhere these days and is becoming more and more accessible, but it still can be tough to make the leap from sitting on your couch thinking about trying yoga to actually getting out a mat and beginning to put poses together. This 30-Day Quick Start Guide is designed to get you […]

Yoga Festivals

The summer is filling up with yoga festivals, which combine sessions with top yoga instructors with live music, often in an idyllic, natural setting. These festivals are big business though, so expect to encounter a measure of commerce with your bliss. You will definitely see the names of major yoga companies writ large as sponsors […]

A Business Tries to Decide Whether Its Location Is Perfect, or a Disaster

Peter Wynn Thompson for The New York Times Tamara Quinn, left, and Beth Heller own Pulling Down the Moon in Chicago, which offers yoga classes to women undergoing fertility treatments. After flooding, they are considering relocating. Pulling Down the Moon provides services like yoga classes, acupuncture, massage therapy and nutritional counseling to women undergoing fertility […]

Eagle Pose – Garudasana

Type of pose: Standing, balancing Benefits: Strengthens legs, improves balance, stretches the shoulders Instructions: 1. From Utkatasana shift your weight onto the left leg. 2. Bend the right leg, lifting the foot from the floor and cross your right thigh over your left. 3. Hook the right foot around the left calf. 4. Bring the […]

Uddiyana Bandha

Definition: Abdominal lock. The second of the three interior body “locks” used in asana and pranayama practice to control the flow of energy. Uddiyana bandha can be practiced alone or in conjunction with mula bandha. To engage this bandha, sit in a comfortable cross legged position. Exhale your breath, then take a false inhale (draw […]

Standing Big Toe Pose

Type of Pose: Standing, Balancing Benefits: Improves leg strength and balance, stretches the hamstrings Instructions: 1. From mountain pose, shift your weight into your right leg. 2. Bend the left knee, bringing the left foot off the floor. 3. Hold your left big toe with your left hand in a yogi toe lock. 4. Straighten […]

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