asanas

How to Practice Downward Facing Dog Correctly

One of the most foundational poses to any yoga practice is Downward Facing Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana. This posture not only relives lower back pain and sciatic nerve discomfort, but also helps to minimize depression and tightness in the hamstrings. It stretches the body from the fingertips to the heels, opening all the muscles of the spine, neck, shoulders, chest, lats, buttocks, thighs, hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendons. If putting pressure on the wrists does not feel right for you … [Read more...] about How to Practice Downward Facing Dog Correctly

30 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 10 Sleep-deprived Yoga

Today was day 10 of my 30 day yoga challenge. So far, so good, other than it was the first day where I felt like going to bed instead of throwing out the mat. It was just a long, exhausting day of work. And even once I convinced myself to get practicing, every movement felt like it required more energy than I had inside me. I ended up modifying the intensity of today's practice so I didn't collapse in defeat on my mat. Nonetheless, I still practiced for an hour before I relaxed into a … [Read more...] about 30 Day Yoga Challenge: Day 10 Sleep-deprived Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga First Series Video by David Swenson

I happily surfed my way into David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga First Series video on YouTube the other day. The whole thing! I enjoy reading and practicing with Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga book, -- it's one of my favorite yoga books of all time -- but have never had a chance to preview his yoga videos. I haven't watched the entire film yet, but so far I have a very favorable impression of both the video and Swenson as an instructor. That's pretty much what I expected based on … [Read more...] about Ashtanga Yoga First Series Video by David Swenson

Savasana ~ A Great Pose for Practicing the Art of Doing Nothing

“…every day, a little ‘bit dying.” Pattabhi Jois Perhaps you've discovered, as I have, that you have some of your best do nothing time when you're laying on your mat in Savasana ("Corpse Pose"). For another take on the subject, check out the article "Find Serenity in Savasana" over at Yoga Journal. And for an amazing analysis of savasana, click on the resting stick figure below: … [Read more...] about Savasana ~ A Great Pose for Practicing the Art of Doing Nothing

Book: Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Find out what Hatha yoga is all about by reading the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. From Wikipedia The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Sanskrit: Haṭhayoga Pradīpikā) is a classic Sanskrit manual on Hatha Yoga, written by Svami Svatmarama, a disciple of Svami Gorakhnath. Said to be the oldest surviving text on the Hatha Yoga, it is one of the three classic texts of Hatha Yoga, the other two being the Gheranda Samhita and the Shiva Samhita. The text was written in 15th century CE. The work is derived from older … [Read more...] about Book: Hatha Yoga Pradipika