Sign up and get a FREE meditation audio
* indicates required

Categories

Oh! My Aching Back! (Part 2)

This is a continuation of the discussion of the simple stretches that can help relieve back pain.

Step-by-Step Instructions Downward Facing Dog (Adhomukha-shvanasana)

Start in the child pose with the arms stretched out in front Inhale in place. With the next exhalation, curl the toes under, pressing down with the toes, lift […]

Oh! My Aching Back! (Part 1)

In today’s post, I am going to present some simple poses that can help relieve back pain. Back pain, especially pain in the lower back, is perhaps the single most common reason why people seek medical attention. This is also the most common cause why people come to me for help through yoga. On a […]

Tripod Headstand (Shirshasana-2)

We will continue our discussion of the headstand (शीर्षासन) and work on two variations in which we use the hands instead of the forearms for support. This pose puts a little extra pressure on the head and the arms as compared to the traditional pose described earlier.

Preparation for the asana […]

Headstand (Shirshasana)

In a previous article, we talked about one of the commonly practiced inverted poses called Sarvangasana (shoulder stand). In today’s article, I am going to discuss another very important inverted pose – Shirshasana – (शीर्षासन) – (headstand). In many yoga texts, shirshasana has been described as "the king of asanas", perhaps due to […]

Building Upper Body Strength

In this article, we will talk about a vinyasa (a flow in which movements are synchronized with breathing) that will help you develop a strong upper body. Regular practice of this routine will build strength in the wrists, arms, shoulders, spine and abdominal muscles. When you want to go beyond the basic yoga poses and […]

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose)

In this article, we will be discussing one of the inverted poses, called Sarvangasana – सर्वाङ्गासन – (commonly translated as the Shoulder Stand or the Supported Shoulder Stand pose). In some yoga texts, this pose is called the "queen of the asanas" (the headstand or the shirShasana is generally referred to as the […]

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist)

In most of the poses that we have discussed so far, the spine gets alternately stretched forward and backward. These poses included back bending poses in the lying down position (Locust, Bow, Cobra), forward bending poses in the seated position (Head-to-knee pose, full forward bend) and standing position (Sun Salutation sequence). In our discussion today, […]

Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation)

Sun Salutation

In Hindu mythology, the sun god is worshipped as a symbol of health and immortal life. The Rig Veda declares that "Surya is the Soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings". The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara – सूर्य नमस्कार) originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally, it is […]

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Brief Introduction

For most people the word “yoga” brings to mind the image of a yoga model that appears on the cover of a yoga magazine in a pose that is almost impossible to get into for an average practitioner. Yoga is commonly practiced as a routine which helps in improving physical fitness and sometimes as a […]

Jala Neti (Nasal Irrigation with Saline Water)

In the ancient text on the practice of Yoga, "Hatha Yoga Pradeepika", six cleansing techniques have been prescribed: Neti: nasal cleansing, Dhauti: cleansing of the digestive tract, Nauli: abdominal massage, Basti: colon cleansing, Kapalbhati: purification and vitalization of the frontal lobes, and Trataka: focused gazing.

In this discussion, we will be focusing […]