Yoga 2.0: Align and Refine Your Uttanasana With the Assistance of Props
In a “traditional” Standing Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana), one of the main aspects is that the torso hinge happens more in the hip joints and less in the spine. Traditionally, this pose is practiced with an elongated spine so that
Let Your Light Shine – The Power of Prana in Health and Healing
A core concept in the yoga tradition has always been the idea of working with Prana (life force energy) to foster greater healing and well-being. While we in the Western world tend to think of yoga in terms of the physical expression
Left Brain, Right Brain: Yoga’s Balancing Breath Practices
Did you know that you don’t breathe from both nostrils equally? Truth be told, nostril dominance switches every two to 2.5 hours without our interference. Sounds strange, but scientists have studied this phenomenon, which the yogis discovered hundreds of years
3 Myths About Knee Alignment in Yoga
You’ve probably heard lots of warnings about how to keep your knees safe in yoga: “Don’t let your knee roll in in Warrior II Pose.” “Don’t let your knees slide past your toes in Fierce Pose (Utkatasana).” “Hyperextending your knees
4 Great Pigeon Pose Variations
Which Pigeon Pose variation is for you? Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana) is one of those great yoga asanas that people either love or hate. There seems to be no middle ground. This is because, for many, it is
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) with a Yoga Strap Bowstring
Years ago, I heard Judith Hanson Lasater pose this question: “Who should practice backbends?” Her answer: “Anyone who’s growing older.” This, of course, means everyone. Most of us spend our days bent over one thing or another—desks, electronic devices, counters,
Yoga for Detoxification: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)
If you are looking for a yoga pose for detoxification, then Setu Bandha Sarvangasana is a great place to start. Also known as “Bridge Pose,” Setu Bandha has many benefits. It soaks the lymph glands in the neck and throat
Dr. Ray Long: Stabilizing the Shoulders in Downward Dog and Upward Hands Poses
Today’s post will look at the scapular motion on the ribcage and the role of the lower third of the trapezius in drawing the shoulders away from the neck. This motion is called scapular depression, and it is frequently used in yoga,
4 Yoga Poses to Strengthen the 4 Muscles of the Rotator Cuff
The shoulder's rotator cuff is a group of four separate muscles that work together to create a continuous cuff or sleeve around the head of the humerus (the upper arm bone). This cuff of muscles juggles the humerus's position inside
Exploring the Link Between Sleep and Anxiety
As a clinical social worker with years of experience working with adolescents and families, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that sleep loss can have on one’s mental well-being. The intricate relationship between sleep and emotional regulation is often overlooked,
Healthy Heart: How Yoga Can Help Prevent Heart Disease
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. It is an all-encompassing term for heart and blood vessel disease, including heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. But the good news
7 Yoga Teaching Tips I Wish I’d Learned Sooner
Before we dive into 7 yoga teaching strategies that every new yoga teacher should know, let me share a story. This is the tale of how I disastrously failed as a new teacher and the yoga teaching skills I wish
Welcome Warmer Weather! An Outdoor Yoga Sequence
When is the best time to practice outdoor yoga? Spring—when flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and there is a feeling of new energy all around. We feel that energy in our bodies. We might notice a new bounce in
SI Joint Reset: Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
Several years ago, as part of a teacher training course, I was co-teaching, and I demonstrated the problems with squaring your hips in wide-legged standing poses to the trainees. As it turned out, the demonstration was very effective—much to my
Breathe Easy: Allergies, Asthma and Yoga
Come spring, and most of us see, hear, and/or experience allergies or asthma. In addition to making you sick and miserable, allergies and asthma share other common features and often occur together. An allergy occurs when the body’s defense system