Tag: yoga basics
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Yoga for Neck: Poses & Stretches for the Neck in Yoga
Your head weighs around 10 to 12 pounds, and that’s a lot of weight for your neck to carry around all day. The neck, also known as the cervical spine, performs many vital functions. These include not only supporting your head, but also enabling you to breathe, chew, swallow and move. Neck pain is a…
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5 Reasons to Take a Yoga Class on Vacation
Last week, I traveled to Costa Rica for the first time. I love animals and nature, and the number one thing I wanted to do while there was see some sloths and encounter monkeys. I got to do both on my very first day right at my hotel in Manual Antonio, as there were several…
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5 Tips for Yoga Balancing Postures: How to Make Yoga Balancing Postures Easier
If I had to choose one yoga pose category that’s my favorite, I’d pick yoga balancing poses. I love yoga balancing postures because there’s always somewhere new to go in them. They’re challenging, and whether it’s lifting my foot up higher in Dancer Pose (Natarajasana) or holding my prayer hands steadier in Half-Lotus Tip Toe…
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Yoga Twists: Benefits of Twists in Yoga & How to Do Yoga Twists
Your spine is such an integral part of everyday movement, it’s vital that we find ways to stretch and support it for a healthy lifestyle. According to Cleveland Clinic, some of the many functions of the spine include: In yoga, spinal twists and other forms of twisting are some of my favorite poses to include…
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Yoga for Wrists: Ways to Warm Up Wrists in Yoga & Yoga Poses for Wrists
Most jobs today require digital skills, and that means more people than ever before are at risk for wrist issues. According to the National Skills Coalition, 92% of jobs in the U.S. require digital skills. As more people work at computers, repetitive stress from typing can increase risk of wrist injuries and disorders. The National…
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Dancer Pose in Yoga: How to Do Natarajasana
From the very first time I did Dancer Pose in yoga, also known as Natarajasana, I fell in love. It’s a challenging balance posture in yoga that is graceful and, well, sort of makes you feel like you’re as poised as a ballerina when you’re able to hold it. Dancer Pose lands at number three…
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How to Use Blocks in Yoga: Tips for Yoga Blocks in a Practice
Many yoga teachers like to use yoga props in their classes, and one of the most common ones you’ll find is a foam block. Blocks, at their most basic function, serve to “bring the floor to you”. They help you reach down with more ease, which can allow you to learn new yoga poses more…
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Mountain Pose in Yoga: How to Do Tadasana
When I cue students to get into Mountain Pose, or Tadasana, I often say it’s such a simple pose, but one that’s so powerful and beneficial when you practice it mindfully. Mountain Pose is a standing resting posture, but it also requires focus in order to practice it effectively and gain benefits like improved posture.…
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Yoga for Sciatica: Yoga Poses for Sciatica & Safety Tips
I’ve recently worked with several yoga students who have sciatica and come to yoga for ways to stretch and relieve nerve pain. This shouldn’t be surprising, as sciatica is fairly common. According to Harvard Health Publishing, up to 40% of people will experience sciatica during their lives. The risk of sciatica increases with age. If…
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Side Body Stretching: Benefits & Side Body Stretch Ideas
There’s just something so satisfying about a good side body stretch. In yoga, we do a lot of folding into poses like Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), so incorporating side body stretches helps balance out your entire body. Side body stretches, also known as lateral bends, help align our body’s systems. According to “Yoga Toolbox”, side…