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Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-legged standing forward bend)

Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-legged standing forward bend)

Prasarita-Padottanasana (Wide-legged standing forward bend) (प्रसारित पादोत्तानासन) – is a variation of the more commonly practiced Uttanasana (standing forward bending pose). In most of the classes that I teach, we practice the Uttanasana as a part of the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) sequence. The Prasarita-Padottanasana can be […]

Asanas for stronger and more flexible quads (part 2)

Virtual chair against wall

This post (part 2) is a continuation on the theme of presenting asanas that are very effective in building strength and flexibility in the quads. Please visit the previous post (part 1) for more asanas.

Quads (short for quadriceps) are the group of four muscles in the top […]

Asanas for stronger and more flexible quads (part 1)

Vajrasana

Quads (short for quadriceps) are the group of four muscles in the top part of the thighs. Quads, in combination with the hamstrings (back of the thigh) provide an excellent support structure both for the knees as well as the spine. Strength and flexibility of the quads can usually translate to healthy […]

Strengthen your spine with Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)

Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)

Chakrasana – चक्रासन – (Wheel Pose), also known as the Urdhva Dhanurasana – ऊर्ध्व धनुरासन – (Upward Bow Pose), is a challenging pose which has tremendous benefits for the strength and suppleness of the spine. In the final position it looks like an inverted bow or a semi-circle – hence […]

Setu-bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

The basic Setu-bandhasana -सेतुबन्धासन – (Bridge Pose) is a beginner-level pose and is highly beneficial for the health of the shoulders, spine, hips and thighs. At a deeper level, it helps calm the mind and can help relieve stress, mental fatigue, anxiety and depression.

Step-by-step […]

Open your hips with Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon pose)

Today we are going to focus on one of the poses that is highly recommended as a hip and chest opener – the Rajakapotasana – राजकपोतासन -(King Pigeon Pose). There are a few different variations of the pose, some more challenging than the others. We are going to focus on the beginner level […]

Strengthen your Back with Camel Pose (Ushtrasana)

Camel Pose (Ushtrasana – उष्ट्रासन) is one of the commonly practiced backward-bending poses. It is an intermediate level back bending pose and stretches both the front and back sides of the body. The Sanskrit word ‘ushtra’ means a camel. It is not clear why the pose is named after a camel since the […]

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 […]