Benefits:
Helps strengthen Arms.
Improves balance.
Helps prepare from more advanced arm balances.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start sitting on knees. Put hands on ground in front of body fingers pointing towards knees. Bend at elbows and rest upper body on top of upper arms.
Body is in a straight line
Benefits:
Stretches legs and pelvis.
Opens chest.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start sitting with legs in a “butterfly” position.
Feet are pressing together in front of body.
Feet are as close to pelvis as aloud.
Legs and knees are relaxed.
Belly is engaged to help keep body straight.
We have come to understand that yoga is present in every living, breathing moment. It is a body of knowledge, a practice, and a way of life. It dwells in many aspects of our daily existence—how we see the world, the words we use, the ways we relate, the choices we make, and ultimately how we move and act to shape our experience. Its presence is subtle and permeating. As we begin to understand the greater framework of yoga, we can look to the Yamas and Niyamas.
Recently, the New York Times published an article denouncing yoga pants. Titled “Why Yoga Pants Are Bad for Women,” the article detailed all the ways in which the popular, though pricey, black tights contribute to the idea that fitness is an everyday-all-the-day activity.
Benefits:
Is a gentle backbend.
Can help open chest.
Strengthens arms.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Can start lying down or in a plank position. Bring your knees, chest, and chin to the ground.
Rest of body (besides hands and feet) is not touching ground.
Feet are flexed and the balls of your feet are your base.
Benefits:
Lengthens spine.
Increase spine flexibility.
Helps promote blood flow to the brain.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start lying on back, bring both legs up and over head with knees bent. Head will be between knees. Hands will come up between legs and wrap up around back.
Feet are pointed.
Most of us do not associate yoga with weight loss. That’s where we err. While yoga may not be a sweat-inducing, muscle-punishing workout, it does aid in weight loss. Here’s how you can use yoga to target belly fat…
Benefits:
Stretches legs.
Strengthens arms and legs.
Foundation & General Alignment:
An easy starting point is in Chaturanga, and then complete pose by bringing one leg up and resting thigh on bent arm.
Lift back leg up off floor and balance using the weight in both legs.
Both legs should be straight.
We have come to understand that yoga is present in every living, breathing moment. It is a body of knowledge, a practice and a way of life. It dwells in many aspects of our daily existence: how we see the world, the words we use, the ways we relate, the choices we make, and ultimately how we move and act to shape our experience. Its presence is subtle and permeating. As we begin to understand the greater framework of yoga, we can look to the Yamas and Niyamas.
As a woman who used to go to the yoga studio as many as five times per day to either teach or take a class, having my first child really threw me. My body was so fit and my mind so calm that I went into withdrawal for my alone time on the mat. For years I tried to figure out ways to still make it to the studio, to teach and not neglect my growing child. I even got certified in Itsy Bitsy Yoga, so I could bring my baby to yoga with me. I was a yoga-addict.