Benefits:
Can help improve posture.
Stretches organs, belly and stomach muscles.
Strengthens back and neck muscles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Your base includes, your legs, forearms, and back of head.
Start sitting up, place palms face down next to hips, slowly lean back onto forearms, and then rest head on ground.
Knees can be bent.
Weight is on forearms, not head.
Keep shoulders back and away from ears.
Benefits:
Can help improve balance.
Stretches shoulders and chest.
Will help strengthen legs and ankles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Foot flat on the ground .
Standing leg is engaged and straight.
Second leg is bent and hand from same side of body is holding on to it.
Raise bent leg up and back.
Hand can be gripping top of foot or inner side of foot.
Free hand is straight in front of body for balance.
Benefits:
One of the best hip openers.
Helps tone core.
Great beginning stretch for straddle splits.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Foundation includes your forearms, and your legs.
The purpose of the pose is not to be flat on the ground, but to stretch the inner thighs.
Upper body is supported by the forearms.
Legs are separated and bent at the knees, make sure they are pointing straight back.
Keep legs activated.
In yogic philosophy, the first two limbs of Patanjali’s eightfold path outline the yamas and the niyamas – together, a code of ethics for how to be in the world. As few things are in yogic thought, the appearance of the yamas and nimayas as the first and second of the eight limbs of Raja yoga is not haphazard. These two sets of five restraints and five observances form the foundation of the yogic path to samadhi, or divine union and enlightenment.
Helps stretch inner thighs and knees.
Can also help relieve stress, mild depression, and menstruation.
Great relaxation pose but can also be a deep stretch.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Laying flat on back, make sure to keep natural curve in neck and back.
Pelvis is in a neutral position.
Knees are bent and bottom of feet are pressed together.
Have you found yourself rushing to a yoga class? Or perhaps you have found yourself full-on resisting going to yoga, or putting off practicing at home? Oh yes, I have come up with all the excuses. I don’t have time; I have to do X instead; I’m sore; I practiced yesterday; I just ate; I’m too full; It’s selfish right now; My house is messy; My bike has a flat tire; I can’t find my mat; I have to get gas; I’ll be late; I’m already late…sound familiar?
Sava- Corpse
Mrta- Death
Asana- Pose
This move isn’t really a move at all. It’s motionless, yet so much is going on while remaining still in this pose. The main purpose of this asana is to restore and assimilate. A reboot for our bodies, minds and spirits.
If you are plagued with chronic indigestion, yoga could become your gut’s BFF…
There are no real rules when it comes to savasana. Corpse pose is an homage to the meditative state the original practitioners of yoga committed to for hours after asanas. The purpose is self-reflection and meditation—but that doesn’t always look the same way. Some yogis find today’s most common pose aspect (laying down with legs and arms slightly spread) uncomfortable for their lower back, so they choose to bend their knees. Some prefer to sit in a seated position.
You’ve seen the classes before. They’re often listed as “Rock ‘n’ Roll Yoga” or another less zen-sounding name. Personally, I teach classes called “Namaslay” and “That Asana Though,” one with a rock playlist and the other featuring rap and hip hop. Of course, listening to pop music while working on your flow is far from traditional. It’s certainly not what the original practitioners of yoga envisioned when they came up with the asanas! However, almost nobody practices yoga in modern times like it was originally practiced. That’s okay!