yoga

Ardha Matsyendrasana

Benefits:

Increases flexibility in the spine.

“Massages” internal organs.

Helps with sciatica.

Foundation & General Alignment:

Both sitting bones are weighted on the floor.

One leg is folded under, while the other is bent up with foot on floor outside opposite thigh.

One hand is placed behind back lined up with spine. The other hand hold the knee of the bent knee.

Pelvis is in a neutral position. Do not twist from the pelvis.

A sedentary lifestyle is bad for you—try this 10-minute chair yoga routine to help you adjust better to your desk job.

Happy autumn solstice! September 22 officially marks the beginning of fall, and what better way to pay homage to the withdrawing sun than with 108 sun salutations at sunrise or sunset? It’s a number that’s auspicious in Buddhism and many more religions. The malas (rosaries) of Tibetan monks include 108 beads, which is a nod to the 108 volumes Buddha dubbed the Tibetan Kangyur. Zen priests also wear 108 beads in a juzu on their wrists.

“Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace.”  - Bhagavad Gita

Spine = Foundation

Have you ever heard anyone use the term "get a backbone?" Perhaps you’ve used it yourself.  Or "that person is so spineless." Well, there is a scientific reason behind these old adages. It turns out the spine is linked to many things, courage and confidence included.

I hate kombucha. I hadn’t tried it until recently, but danggg. It tastes like spiked vinegar and apple juice. No thank you. As much as the yoga blogs and Pinterest posts rave about its benefits…I can’t. On top of this aversion, I also don’t have long skinny legs, a calm demeanor, or cool tattoos. But the good news is: I’m still a yogi.

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.

Salabhasana / Locust

Benefits:

• Strengthens entire back of body (back, legs, arms, shoulders)
• Great chest opener as well as abdominal strengthener.

Foundation & General Alignment:

• Low belly, legs and feet are on the floor.
• Press down through the toes.
• Both belly and butt are toned, make sure butt is not gripping.
• Shoulder blades hug back of rips to help open the chest.
• Natural curve in the neck.

Common Problems:

The Suryanamaskar is a great exercise for any age, and any weight…

I have a confession to make: I am a 230-hour certified yoga teacher, and yet I still use online yoga videos at home. I know this sounds ridiculous (can’t I do yoga on my own?), but there is something so soothing and relaxing about having someone guide you through a practice. Yoga videos have vastly improved since the days of workout tapes and DVDs, and many high-quality videos and sequences are available for very little, if not for free!

Welcome to our #WellnessWednesday yoga primer. Yoga is a wonderful way to become attuned to your body and increase circulation and flexibility. Each week I'll offer you a pose with benefits and instruction.