Prasarita Padottanasana (pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-anna) or Standing Wide Legged Forward Bend, combines the benefits of a standing posture – it energizes and strengthens – with the calming effects of a forward bend. This has always been a posture that I look forward to! Prasarita Padottanasana stretches, releases tension and gives you a new view of your […]
Yoga with a Twist
Although though we often joke about twisting ourselves into crazy “Pretzel-like” yoga poses, twists done with proper care and alignment are in fact extremely beneficial. Twists energize you if you’re feeling tired or conversely, can help you find calm. Twists wring tension from the body. The twisting action helps the muscles to relax and when […]
A Spine-Tingling Sensation from Half Forward Fold
Half Forward Fold has many names. In the Sanskrit language of yoga it is called, Ardha Uttanasana (AR-dah oot-ta-NAH-sa-nah). The visual image it creates has evoked many other nomikers: half forward bend, flat back and standing table top. Despite its variety of tags, Ardha Uttanasana is the same yoga pose that will lengthen the spine […]
Cow Face Pose – A Moo-ving Seated Stretch
Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose is a seated pose that stretches the hips and thighs, ankles, shoulders, triceps and chest. Early yoga practitioners named this asana the Cow Face pose because with a little imagination, the body appears to look like the face of a cow. Although I haven’t quite figured out the cow-angle (it […]
Bound Angle Pose – A Gift for Tight Hips, Thighs and Groin
Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) has many names, including, Cobbler’s Pose, Butterfly and Diamond. Bound Angle, Butterfly and Diamond describe the shape of your legs while in the pose. Cobbler is derived from the way that Indian cobbler’s traditionally sat with shoes held between their feet as they worked. Whatever you choose to call it, […]