Fitness Equipment That Fits in a Suitcase

“You have to be kidding,” I said to the crew member checking my daughter in for her flight to England from the States last week. He had just told her she might not be able to carry her tennis racquet on board because it could be used as a weapon. We waited for him to […]

Yoga for Back Pain Series 3

Step the left foot to the back of your mat. Turn the left foot open to a ninety degree angle. Align the hips to face the left wall. Begin to draw the right arm forward as you draw the right leg up and into the hip socket. Come into Triangle Pose, bringing the right hand […]

Can Men Do Yoga?

Question: Can Men Do Yoga? Answer: Obviously, the short answer is yes. Until very recently, in fact, yoga was practiced exclusively by men. But many men are concerned that they will not be welcome in a yoga class or that they are not flexible enough to try yoga. This is a basic misconception: yoga will […]

In New York, Meditation Makes Its Way Back to the Yoga Mat

SEATED cross-legged on a black cushion atop a yoga mat, I struggled to keep my eyes closed and repeat the Sanskrit mantra in my head: ham-sa — I am that. Outside, on Third Avenue, police sirens wailed and cars honked as I tried to sit still in a room with eight other meditation students, keeping […]

Hero Pose – Virasana

Type of pose: Seated Benefits: Stretches thighs and ankles, improves posture Note: Be very careful of the knees in this pose. Sit up on a block if you have any knee discomfort. Instructions: 1. Start in a kneeling position. 2. Keep the knees together as you separate the feet, bringing your butt down to the […]

Downward Facing Dog

Also known as: Downward Dog, Down Dog Type of pose: Standing, Mild Inversion, Resting Benefits: Stretches and strengthens the whole body. Can help relieve back pain. Downward facing dog is done many times during most yoga classes. It is a transitional pose, a resting pose and a great strengthener in its own right. It may […]

Upward-Facing Soldier

YOU are sitting behind the Humvee where you’ve dragged a wounded soldier. You’ve wrapped the gaping hole in his leg, given him a shot of morphine and radioed up the line for help. Your eye is trained on a distant, hazy point through the scope of an assault rifle. You can see the tiny, magnified […]

Half Lotus Pose

Type of pose: Seated Benefits: Hip opener. Instructions: 1. From staff pose – dandasana, bend the right knee and bring the right ankle to the left hip crease with the sole of the right foot facing upwards. 2. Settle the foot into the hip crease. 3. Bend the left knee and cross the left ankle […]

Kripalu Yoga

The name Kripalu is associated both with a style of hatha yoga and a yoga and wellness center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both were founded by yoga guru Amrit Desai, who came to the United States from India in 1960. Kripalu was named for Desai’s teacher, Sri Kripalvananda, a Kundalini yoga master. The Kripalu Center for […]

Kapalabhati Pranayama

Benefits: cleansing, invigorating, warming, prevents illness and allergies This breath consists of rapid, forced exhales followed by passive inhales. It is best done at the beginning of a yoga session. In Kundalini practice, Kapalabhati breath is sometimes done while holding poses. 1. Come to sit in a comfortable crosslegged position. 2. Take two or three […]

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