Body Gratitude: A Life Practice
One of the most challenging aspects of yoga practice seems to be learning how to rise above our cultural ideas about the body. It is also one of its greatest rewards. We all grow up with ideas about what the
4 Ways Yoga Fosters Respiratory System Health
How does yoga benefit our ability to breathe? Hatha Yoga is the combination of physical postures and yoga breathing practices that are designed to help the body and mind maintain overall equilibrium. The health of your respiratory system affects all the
Upside Down Yoga: Inversions for Healthy Lungs and Heart
When you are standing upright, you are subject to gravity. This is probably not a surprise. But what most people don’t think about is that the blood and organs in your body are also subject to gravity. Although our bodies
Yoga Practice: Discover New Connections in Tree Pose (Vrksasana) Using Wall Ropes
Tree Pose is a strong and humbling balance posture that requires stability, flexibility, and—of course—balance. And it can be practiced in so many different ways to discover new elements of the posture. There are so many Tree Pose variations you
Relieve Low Back and Neck Pain with Pandiculation
Chronic back and neck pain are disabling conditions experienced by many people at some point during their lifetimes. A recent study demonstrates the efficacy of using pandiculation to relieve chronic back and neck pain by releasing chronic muscle tension. The
Deepen Your Yoga Practice: How to Work with the Muscle Spindles
There are four classical elements in nature: earth, wind, fire, and water. The fifth element is energy. Consider that muscles represent the water element because they are mostly composed of water. The electrical impulses of nerve conduction represent fire. There
Here’s Your Step-by-Step Guide to Fallen Angel Pose
Fallen Angel Pose is a fun and challenging progression of the classic arm balance Eka Pada Koundinyasana I (or the one-legged variation of the pose dedicated to the sage Koundinya, which is also known as Scissors Pose). The Fallen Angel
5 Ways to Take Control of Emotions: A Guide to Mindful Awareness
Emotions are an integral part of our lives. They provide us with a sense of meaning, purpose, and direction. We feel joy when we experience something positive and sadness when something negative occurs—but understanding how our emotions work can be
4 Mini Self-Care Breaks to Replenish Your Energy
Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. — Eleanor Brown Too many of us move through life running
Yoga Practice Prep: Warm-Up for Revolved Triangle Pose
Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana) is arguably one of the most challenging standing poses, requiring flexible hamstrings, adductor engagement, and, of course, spinal rotation. A heat-building pose, Revolved Triangle Pose strengthens all layers of the core, including the abdominal muscles
6 Yoga Poses to Strengthen & Stretch Your Erector Spinae Muscles
Why is it so important to stretch the erector spinae muscles? If you experience back pain or tightness, an erector spinae stretch may be just what you need. The erector spinae group is a collection of muscles that run up
Should You Flex Your Feet in Seated Forward Bend Pose?
Students often ask me in seated forward bends such as Seated Forward Bend Pose (Paschimottanasana), “Should I flex my feet or not?” The short answer is that there’s not one right answer. But flexing or pointing your feet will make
Do You Have Neck Tension? Here Are 3 Patterns that Can Cause Pain
What do you do when you are startled, or if you hear, see, smell or sense something unusual? You immediately turn your head toward it to see what’s going on. This is a natural survival instinct that is essential in
Body-Positive Yoga: 8 Tips for Creating an Inclusive Class
Numerous studies have proven that physical activity has many health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, decreasing the risk of chronic disease, and reducing the risk for depression. Yet, many barriers exist for larger-bodied people seeking out physical activity. A stigma
Optimism Adds Years to Life
When Norman Vincent Peale wrote The Power of Positive Thinking, he didn’t focus on longevity as one of the benefits of happy thoughts. The many imitators who have followed him, including the authors of The Secret, also don’t hype long