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Kakasana (Crow Pose)

Kakasana (crow pose)

The crane pose (Bakasana बकासन) and the crow pose (Kakasana काकासन) are arm balancing poses that will help you develop good strength in the wrists, arms, abdominal and core area, and thighs. They also help develop good mental focus. These two poses are almost identical in their approach. The only difference […]

Two balancing poses – Warrior 3 and Natarajasana

Virabhadrasana (warrior 3)

In this post, I’ll be talking about two of the standing, one-leg balancing poses – vīrabhadrāsana (Warrior 3) and naṭarājāsana (Dancer’s pose). Given the alignment, flexibility and balance required to get into and maintain these asanas, they are considered intermediate level balancing poses. As with most balancing poses, these two […]

30-minute asana-based yoga sequence

Baddha Parshvakonasana (bound side angle pose)

Most of the classes that I teach last 1.5 hours. In almost every class I emphasise the need for establishing a home-based yoga practice which can be done on a daily basis. However, students who feel committed to practice at home are usually faced with the following […]

Utthita Marichyasana – standing variation (video)

Marichyasana – standing

utthita marīcyāsana (उत्थित मरीच्यासन) (standing Marichyasana), is an intermediate level one-leg balancing pose. The seated version of marīcyāsana is one of the more commonly practiced spinal twisting asanas. The standing version, in addition to providing all the benefits of the standing one-leg balancing poses, also engages the spine in a […]

Hasta-padasana (standing hand-to-foot pose) with video

Hasta-padasana

hasta-pādāsana (हस्त-पादासन) (hand to foot pose), also known as utthita hasta-pādāṅguṣṭhāsana (उत्थित हस्त-पादाङ्गुष्ठासन) (Extended hand to toe pose) is an intermediate level one-leg balancing pose. Like most other standing balancing poses, it develops strength in the legs, improves focus, concentration, balance and stability. We’ll practice a few different variations of the pose:

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Ardha-chandrasana (half moon pose) with video

The Ardha-chandrasana (अर्धचन्द्रासन) (Half Moon pose) and its close cousin, the revolving half moon pose, are intermediate level one-leg balancing poses. Learning these poses will require awareness, practice, strength and patience. Once you become comfortable with these poses, you will find them energizing, rejuvenating and yet restorative. These are excellent pose for developing strength in […]

Tip-toe balance (video)

Tiptoe balance (Padangushthasana)

Today’s post is about the Tiptoe balancing pose – pādāṅguṣṭhāsana – पादाङ्गुष्ठासन. This balancing pose is done from a squatting position where you are squatting on the toes. This is an intermediate level pose and it improves strength and flexibility in the toes, ankles, knees, hips and thighs.

When I first […]

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 […]

Anantasana (Reclining Vishnu Pose)

Anantasana (Reclining Vishnu)

Anantasana (अनन्तासन), also called the Reclining Vishnu pose, is a beginner to intermediate level pose. It provides a nice stretch for the legs and also is a balancing pose in the reclining position.

Lord Vishnu

The word "ananta" which literally means endless or infinite, is […]

Vasishthasana (Side Plank Pose)

Vasishthasana

Vasishthasana (वसिष्ठासन) is an intermediate level pose and requires proper technique and adequate strength in the wrists, arms and shoulders, as well as the legs, to get into the final position. Some of the poses that will help you develop the necessary skills for this pose are the Dandasana (plank pose), […]