Cat pose is a helpful, accessible posture for most and is commonly practiced in a combination with cow pose and you will hear instructors cue as if the postures are one, “let’s do some cat/cow.” Marjariasana is usually practiced as a warm up for spine mobility and in preparation for more intense back bends.
Read MoreThis posture also has the potential to improve lung function and respiratory health, increase circulation, improve digestion, relieve back pain, as well as improve posture. Because this posture is often practiced with cat pose, it also aids in spinal mobility as well as a general awareness of the spine itself and its’ natural curvature.
Read MoreUrdhva Mukha Svanasana creates spinal extension which in turn stretches the front body from the chest all the way down to the tops of the feet, while strengthening the arms, wrists, and shoulders and of course, the back body, primarily the spine. This posture also has the potential to improve lung function and respiratory health, increase circulation, improve digestion, relieve back pain, as well as improve posture.
Read MoreBhujangasana stretches the front body (from the chest all the way down to the tops of the feet) while strengthening the back body as well as the arms and shoulders. This posture also has the potential to improve lung function and respiratory health, increase circulation, improve digestion, relieve back pain, as well as improve posture.
Read MoreSalamba Bhujangasana is an excellent posture to practice for the spine health required to hold your seat. This posture strengthens and lengthens the spine, stretches the chest, abdomen, and shoulders, stimulates digestion and abdominal organs, and can strengthen the entire back body dependent upon engagement. Sphinx pose is an excellent pose to practice for better posture, to counter the tendency to hunch forward, and to prepare for deeper back bends.
Read MoreMeditation is the method of which Pantajali, the author of the yoga sutras, tells us is the vehicle to the goal of yoga: to reside in one’s own nature or svarupe vasthanam. Makarasana is especially aligned with this goal as its’ shape lends to the improvement of good posture and the alignment of the spine with emphasis placed on the breath.
Read MoreIn general Ananda Balasana stretches the outer hips, inner groins, hamstrings, glutes, chest, and shoulders. It helps to lengthen the spine and release tension in the low back as well as potentially strengthen the arms. The posture is primarily practiced to address the above stated, however it can also be a preparatory posture for crow pose (bakasana), squat (malasana), lizard (utthan pristhasana), and half squat pose (skandasana).
Read MoreThis posture primarily stretches the muscles of the lower back and hips as well as places pressure on the abdomen. This pressure results in a massaging of the digestive and reproductive organs and increases blood flow and circulation. Sometimes this pressure can also alleviate excess gas hence the name: wind relieving pose.
Read MoreThis posture primarily lengthens, relaxes, and re-aligns the spine as well as massages the abdominal organs. Twisting encourages the flow of blood to the digestive organs, aiding in the wellness of your entire digestive system. Other potential areas of benefit are the neck, chest, shoulders, hips, glutes, and IT band.
Read MoreThis posture has the potential to strengthen the entire back body, improve spine alignment & flexibility, open the heart & chest promoting lung function and circulation, stretch the belly & hip flexors aiding in digestion, menstrual & menopause symptoms, as well as increase energy levels.
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