Tag: yoga basics
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Virabhadrasana II: How to Do Warrior II & Benefits of Warrior II in Yoga
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) is a staple pose in yoga classes I teach. This foundational yoga pose is also one of the fiercest. Like its name implies, you feel like a strong warrior who can take on any challenge when you move into this pose. Warrior II is a great lower body strengthener, as well…
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Anjali Mudra: What Are the Benefits of Prayer Hands? How to Use Namaskar Mudra in Yoga
The Anjali Mudra, also known as the Namaskar Mudra, is one of the most common hand positions we’ll use in all types of yoga classes, especially yoga where meditation or meditative motion is a strong focus. Also known as “prayer hands” or cued as “bringing your hands into prayer,” you don’t have to be religious…
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Child’s Pose in Yoga: How to Do Child’s Pose (Balasana) & Tips for Child’s Pose
If I were to name the two most quintessential yoga poses that are found in most flow practices, they’d be Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Child’s Pose (Balasana). Child’s Pose, in my opinion, is one of the best yoga poses around. It: Child’s Pose may be a resting posture, but it’s also very…
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Benefits of Closing Your Eyes in Yoga
In most of my Alexandria VA yoga classes, I’m always going to spend at least some of the time closing my eyes. During Savasana (Corpse Pose), which is typically the end of a yoga class, students are generally encouraged to close the eyes for the 5 minutes or so that close a yoga class. But…
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Yoga Binds: How to Do a Yoga Bind & Yoga Bind Benefits
I was talking with a student who’s coming to an upcoming class I’m teaching in June at an Alexandria, VA, arcade. I asked her if she had any requests for moves to include in the class, and she mentioned binds. This was an interesting request, one that I don’t hear often. She explained that binds…
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Virabhadrasana I: How to Do Warrior I & Benefits of Warrior I in Yoga
One of the most foundational poses in a yoga practice is Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I). This pose can be quite challenging, as the full expression of the pose has the yogi bringing their thigh parallel to the ground, which can be a big quad strengthener. I see yogis who have been coming to my classes…
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Breath of Joy: What Is the Breath of Joy in Yoga? How to Do the Breath of Joy
One of the most energizing ways to start a yoga practice is to use the Breath of Joy to get moving and start being more mindful of how you use the breath in yoga. The Breath of Joy is an invigorating breathing practice that involves moving your arms and standing while doing it. It can…
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Sukhasana: How to Do Easy Seat in Yoga, Benefits & More
Even with a pose with the word “easy” in the name, there’s always somewhere new to go and develop your yoga practice. Easy Seat (Sukhasana), also known as Easy Pose, is a foundational yoga pose that’s included in many practices. This simple cross-legged position is often used at the beginning and/or end of class. It’s…
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Ideas for Using Straps in Yoga: How to Use Yoga Straps
Sometimes when you go in a yoga studio, you’ll see long woven bands called yoga straps that are available to use as a prop in your practice. We have them at the recreation centers I teach Alexandria, VA yoga classes in, and some people like to use them to provide their bodies with support with…
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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…