3 Reasons Not to Do Neck Circles
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Keys to Healthy Alignment in Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Upward Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
The dog poses, Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Upward-Facing Dog (Urdvha Mukha Svanasana), are among the most commonly practiced postures in yoga classes. For some people, they are freeing and exhilarating poses, but let's face it, for others, they
How to Bring Happiness and Purpose to Your Life
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” ~ David Viscott You are a seeker. Searching for more of life. More joy. More depth. More connection. More happiness. Our generation
Enhancing Body Awareness: 5 Ways to Nurture Your Neck In Your Yoga Practice
Do you ever feel pain in your neck? You’re not alone. According to the American Osteopathic Association, more than a quarter of Americans will experience neck pain at some point in their lives (1), but yoga can help. Many neck
Finding Balance in Life in an Out-of-Balance World
One of the profound themes that emerged from my recent women’s retreat was just how subversive it can be to prioritize balance in one’s life. Try as we might, many of our learning institutions and work cultures just aren’t set
The Knee Joint: Much More than a Simple Hinge—and Why it Matters in Your Yoga Practice
According to joints classification, the knee is a “hinge joint” that folds and unfolds like a hinge. Indeed, life would be so much easier for many of us if it were a simple hinge. We would probably have a lot
Yoga for Core Strength: 5 Yoga Poses for Beginners
Yoga can be a great way to strengthen and tone the core muscles. Developing core strength is essential for maintaining a healthy body and equally necessary for maintaining a satisfying yoga practice. Below are five of our favorite yoga poses
Embracing Stillness Amidst the Holiday Frenzy: A Guide to Self-Love
Can you feel life speeding up? The days grow shorter. There are more things to do, projects to finish, people to see, dinners to cook, gifts to buy, cookies to bake, friends to call, walkways to shovel, family pets to
Peaceful Poses: A Guide to Holiday-Themed Yoga Classes
Holiday yoga offers extra cheer to your usual practice. What exactly is it and how is it different from a typical yoga class? Holiday yoga is any yoga practice that breaks up the busy winter season. But when we use
The Many Health Benefits of Yoga: What Does the Research Say? Part II
According to a comprehensive review of yoga research reviews and meta-analyses published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, the field of yoga research has grown exponentially in the past 5 years, with nearly 200 studies being published annually. As we continue to
The Anatomy of a Backbend: How to Prep Your Spine for More Easeful Backbends
Yoga backbends feel great! They’re uplifting and energizing…except when they hurt. Do you struggle with lower back or neck pain when you practice backbends in yoga classes? Learning a bit about the anatomy of the spine can help you understand
Could Tiny Habits Heal Your Posture?
No, my fridge was never quite this messy, and I’ve never cleaned a fridge in heels. Breaking news: my fridge is clean and has been since early January. This may not sound like much, but bear with me. All my
The Power of Healthy Habits: Yoga Changes Gene Expression Linked to Chronic Inflammation
Everyone has experienced inflammation as a temporary phenomenon in response to injuries or other challenges that activate the immune system. This is a useful response that is part of the body’s natural defense system. When inflammation becomes chronic, however, it’s
Soft and Strong: Finding a Balanced Yoga Practice
One of my first yoga asana teachers used to tell me that when I first came to him, my poses were like pouring a glass of water. As a flexible body type, I gravitated toward asana because it was fun.
3 Yoga Prop Variations to Strengthen Your Shoulders in Upward Hands Pose
Upward Hands Pose in Mountain Pose (Urdhva Hastasana in Tadasana) is a simple, elegant standing pose. Practicing it with stability and ease in equal measure takes time and focus. Some other names of the posture are Palm Tree Pose (Talasana),