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Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

Let us continue our discussion on the backward bending poses and focus on the pose called Dhanurasana – धनुरासन -(Bow Pose). In the final position, the pose resembles a bow, ready to shoot an arrow.

Step-by-step Round one: […]

Locust (Shalabhasana)

In today’s post, we will continue our discussion on the backward bending poses and focus on the pose called Shalabhasana – शलभासन -(Locust Pose). In the final position, the pose resembles the trunk of a locust.

Step-by-step Round one – Ardha Shalabhasana (Half Locust Pose): Lie flat on the abdomen with the hands […]

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

In the previous posts, we talked about the seated forward-bending poses. With this issue, we will start discussing some of the backward bending poses which are done lying down on the abdomen. We will begin this discussion with Bhujangasana –भुजङ्गासन -(Cobra pose).

The word “bhujanga” in Sanskrit means a cobra or a […]

Pashchimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

In the previous post, we learned about one of the seated forward bending poses, Head-to-Knee pose. In today’s post, we will talk about another seated pose – The Seated Forward Bend. Pashchimottanasana –पश्चिमोत्तानासन– is a compound word in Sanskrit consisting of pashchim + uttaana + asana. “Pashchim” means the direction “West” as well […]

Janu-Shirshasana (Head-to-Knee) Pose

Many of my students look for instructions on some of the basic yoga techniques that we practice in the class so they can practice these at home. In order to fulfill this need, I will be presenting here, as and when I find the time, some specific aspects of yoga – asana, pranayama, […]

Kapalabhati (Skull Shining) Pranayama

One of the prominent yogis from India, Yogiraj Dr. Om Prakash ji, who was on a US visit last summer, presented a series of yoga sessions at the Hindu Bhavan Cultural Hall in Morrisville, NC. He highlighted the value of pranayama (breathing practices) in general as an integral component of any yoga routine. However, he […]

Pancha Kosha (Five sheaths)

I would like to talk about the Five Koshas today. The concept of the five koshas was originally given in the Taittiriya Upanishad to help us understand what is ‘self’ and what is ‘non-self’. The lack of ability to distinguish between self and non-self is termed "avidya" (ignorance) which is the main cause of human […]