Support Your Neck with a Yoga Eye Pillow
Relaxation Pose is the name we give Savasana (shah-VAH-sah-nah) in English. In Sanskrit, it means corpse—a pose that mimics death. But if you have a rounded upper back you can easily become one of the undead—not quite able to settle
Ride the Breath Wave in Yoga
Time and time again I see new yoga students being confused about whether to do a certain movement on the inhalation or the exhalation. “How does it go?” they ask me. “Should I inhale or exhale when I bend down?”
Book Review Beth Gibbs: Enlighten Up! Finding Clarity, Contentment, and Resilience in a Complicated World
It’s written ad nauseam, though it does bear repeating: the true purpose of yoga is not to wear cute leggings or to get “six-pack abs,” but to unite the body, mind, and spirit in a way that brings an incomparable
Curry in a Hurry
Add some healing spice and coziness to your life! I’ve adapted this immune-boosting recipe so that even if you don’t have all the fresh ingredients, you can use frozen and pantry items instead. This dish comes together in 30 minutes
How to Teach a Mixed-Level Yoga Class
How do you keep everyone safe and happy in a mixed-level yoga class? There’s no easy answer. In a recent teacher training, I asked trainees to share their ideas about teachers and classes they’ve observed. Specifically, I asked what has
Yoga, Accessibility and Inclusivity: Yoga Alliance Updates Guidelines
The other day I was talking to a very experienced yoga teacher about the importance of making yoga accessible to people with disabilities. She made an excuse that I’ve heard many other teachers use. Confidently, she explained to me, “I’m
Your Sleep Position: Develop Healthier Posture and Reduce Pain While You Sleep
Aside from where you work, the place where you probably spend the most time is your bed. If you suffer from any type of musculoskeletal pain or tension, especially in your neck, shoulders, back, or hips, you should consider how
New Research Suggests that Stretching May Reduce Cancer
Although the research on what constitutes the best form of stretching is all over the place, most experts would agree that good/normal ranges of motion in all anatomical areas are important. So it shouldn’t come as a shock that we
Deep Exhalation: How to Exhale Long in Yoga Practice
The normal unconscious exhalation is a passive process, as one simply relaxes the muscles that were engaged on the inhalation. However, in our yoga practice, we purposefully augment the natural process of exhalation with intentional muscular engagement for the purpose
Yoga Pose Primer: Upward Hands Pose (Urdvha Hastasana)
When you first leave the comfort of your bed each morning, what’s the first thing you want to do? Like other animals—think about your cat or dog—our instinct is to stretch out. While we sleep, our bodies immobile, the fascia that
Relieve Back Pain With These 6 Yoga Poses
If you haven’t been affected by back pain, you’re one of the lucky few. In our modern world, most people have suffered from back pain at some point in their lives. It’s estimated that up to an astounding 80 percent
Tight Hamstrings? Try This Supported Yoga Stretch
Tight hamstrings can make all kinds of yoga poses challenging, if not impossible. But the good news is, there are lots of ways to create more length in your hamstrings in yoga practice. If you love hamstring stretches, go ahead,
Prenatal Yoga to Help Prevent Shoulder and Wrist Discomfort
We often hear about achy backs, swollen ankles, and pressure around the pelvis during pregnancy. But what happens when pregnancy causes discomfort around the shoulders and wrists? This article explores the potential reasons behind the occurrence of shoulder and wrist
Learning to Love Downward-Facing Dog
Downward Facing Dog has been served up as a light appetizer of a yoga pose to beginner yoga students for years and years. But the truth is: It just IS NOT A BEGINNER YOGA POSE! This article sets the record
Two Keys to Mastering Warrior III (Virabhadrasana lll)
Warrior III is a beautiful standing balance pose that challenges yoga students of all levels. Like all challenging poses, there are a few important tips that, when incorporated into your practice, can make this pose feel a little more accessible.