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Asana & Prana: The Vital Life Energy
Prana is the vital life energy that flows through every living thing on this earth. In Chinese medicine this energy is referred to as Chi. Many ancient cultures have an understanding of this energy, and it’s referenced in storytelling, traditional medicinal practices, and yogic philosophy. Understanding prana, and the subtle body systems, can drastically change the way you approach your asana practice. Prana and the Asana So what do the yoga postures, or asana, have to do with prana? The yoga postures are practiced for a number of reasons. One of those reasons, is to help regulate the energetic body. Certain postures tap into these energy centers known as chakras, and can help…
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Hatha Yoga: How to Approach the Theory and Practice
Hatha Yoga is a traditional approach to modern asana or posture practice. While Hatha yoga is derived from ancient texts such as the Upanishads and Vedic teachings, its approach is all encompassing. My favorite modern day resource on Hatha Yoga is The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This book is used in teacher trainings and workshops all over the globe! It is one of the most comprehensive resources that bridges the gap between traditional yoga and modern day asana. A Brief History of Hatha Yoga Despite the belief that hatha derives from the words ha, meaning sun, and tha, meaning moon. Hatha yoga actually translates to “with force or great effort”. Hatha was one of…
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5 Yoga Myths We Need To Bust
Not flexible enough, not strong enough, and not having a thin, able-body are all reasons why newbies shy away from the practice of yoga. Any yoga teacher will tell you that these factors have nothing to do with the actual practice of though. Today, I’m going to tell you why. Here are five yoga myths that need to be busted! I’m Not Flexible Enough For Yoga I hear this all the time and I can’t help but laugh. Flexibility is a byproduct of the physical practice, not an initial requirement. When I came to yoga I was far more strong than flexible. In fact, when I started my teacher training I couldn’t even…
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Understanding the Mechanics of Yoga Backbends: Your Hips and Lumbar Spine
I’m going to be honest, I absolutely hate backbending postures. That’s why I never have any expectations when entering backbending poses. It wasn’t until I fully understood the mechanics of backbending, that I started to find a little more ease with it. Don’t get me wrong, I still despise backbends, but you have to practices the poses you hate too. What Does Backbending require? In yoga, back bending and spinal extension are one and the same. In every backbending posture, the intention is to stabilize your low back and work with your natural lumbar curve. The same goes for your neck or cervical spine. You want to stabilize and utilize these natural curves,…
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Benefits of Viparita Karani – Legs up the Wall
Viparita Karani or legs up the wall is by far one of my all-time favorite yoga poses! If I don’t make it to my mat one day, for whatever reason, as long as I practice this pose I feel grounded and accomplished. Legs up the wall is incredibly rejuvenating and relaxing. This pose is extremely accessible, so whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, or you’re just starting out, this pose is for you! Physical Benefits of Viparita Karani physically, this pose gently works our hamstrings and creates space in our low back. By elevating our legs, it increases circulation and drains any excess fluid. People who suffer from edema or sciatica can benefit greatly…
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Gentle Evening Yoga Flow
Practicing a gentle yoga flow in the evenings is a habit I’m trying to get back into. Since a lot of us have been gifted with some quiet time alone during this self-quarantine, it’s nice to turn inward and maintain good habits and routines. Since sleep plays a large role in our overall health, it’s important that we allow ourselves ample rest. If you have a hard time trying to quiet your mind before bed, or you often feel it’s difficult to get a full night’s rest, practicing yoga before you sleep can help! Taking time to calm your mind and release tension through your body, can ease you to a better night’s…
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Yoga Poses for Anxiety and Stress.
With the coronavirus resulting in a pandemic, and a serious lack of accurate information there is a lot of stress floating around in the air. While I’m no expert on the virus, I do know that stress is not good for anyone’s health. Stress can actually reduce the strength of our immune system making us more susceptible to sickness. Throughout times of uncertainty like this, it’s important to take care of ourselves. This means making our physical and mental health top priority. Luckily we’re all self-quarantined so we’ve got some time to relax and unwind. In general, yoga can be a very relaxing, stress-reducing practice. Still, certain styles, postures, and exercises will affect…
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The Heart of the Yoga Practice and the Purpose of the Asana
Yoga was created thousands of years ago as a form of meditation and liberation. Traditionally, there are eight limbs to the Yoga practice and the asana, or Yoga postures, are just one of those eight limbs. With the commercialization of Yoga and the modern emphasis on the physical aspect, the origional intention and the philosophies of the practice have been overshadowed. Consequently, many modern practitioners enter the yoga practice from a physical standpoint. That is why, as students and teachers of the practice, it is important for us to share every aspect of yoga, and how they physical practice aids us both on and off our mat. What are the Yoga Asanas? The…
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Flow into Crow Pose: How to Prep and Move into Crow Pose, Bakasana
Crow is one of the most basic arm balances in yoga and sets the foundation for a strong arm balancing practice. While it is one of the easier arm balances, that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult. Luckily there are tons of variations and preparatory poses to help us fly! Healthy Hands and Wrists Before we balance on our arms, we want to make sure we have a solid base to balance on. We can check in with our hands and wrists in a tabletop position. Finding a neutral spine, stacking our shoulders over our wrists and hips above our knees. Gently drawing the low belly in to reduce the sway in the back.…
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Five Restorative Yoga Poses and Their Benefits
When I first started practicing yoga I was all about a vigorous, strength-based flow. Now that I’ve got a few years of experience behind me, I have grown to appreciate the softer, sweeter side of the practice. Recently, I’ve absolutely loved a good restorative yoga practice! Regardless of what style of yoga I am flowing through, I always throw a restorative pose into my routine. They really do just feel good and can aid in energizing the body after a tough practice. Restorative yoga is a way to rejuvenate and heal the body. By utilizing yoga props such as blocks, straps, and bolsters, we are able to hold the body in yoga poses…
