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30-minute Hip Opening Yoga Sequence

In a few previous posts, I have written about some of the short duration hip opening yoga sequences. These were provided in the standing, seated and reclining categories. In the present article, I am providing a 30-minute sequence that combines a few asanas each from the standing, seated and reclining positions. You can integrate this […]

Padmasana (Lotus Pose) and how to prepare for it

Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

When you see pictures of ancient yogis, most of them are shown meditating in Padmasana – पद्मासन (Lotus Pose). This is one of the most commonly mentioned asanas as a meditative posture. Some of the other asanas that are commonly listed among meditative postures are Sukhasana (Easy Pose), Siddhasana (Adept […]

Meditative Asanas (with video)

In a couple of the articles (article 1, article 2) that I wrote recently, I talked about establishing a home-based meditation practice. For the practice of meditation, the most common recommendation is to sit on the floor in any one of the common meditative postures. Of course, if you are not comfortable sitting on the […]

Seated hip opening poses, part 2

Agni Stambhasana (Firelog pose)

In a previous post, I presented part 1 of the seated hip opening poses. In today’s post, part 2, I am presenting a few more of the seated hip opening poses.

I hope you will enjoy practicing these asanas along with the video presentation. 

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Seated hip opening poses, part 1

Seated cradle

Tightness in the hips is one of the most common problems students face in a yoga class when they try to do any of the yoga poses involving hip flexibility or hip rotation. This tightness usually is a result of long hours of sitting either in an office chair or in […]

Upavishta-konasana (Seated wide-legged forward bend)

Upavishta-konasana

Upavishta Konasana – उपविष्ट-कोणासन – (Seated wide-legged forward bend) is an intermediate level pose and helps a great deal in stretching the inner thigh and inner knee muscles and the entire spine. It also brings about a sense of calm to the mind that helps relieve stress and anxiety. The word […]

Janushirshasana (Head-to-knee pose) Variations

Head-to-knee pose

In a previous article, I wrote about the basic, classical technique of practicing the Janushirshasana (head-to-knee pose). In today’s article, I will be presenting a few variations to the standard pose that you can add to your practice. As always, try to maintain full awareness at the body, breath […]

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) with video

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

An excellent backward bending pose, Bhujangasana –भुजङ्गासन – (Cobra Pose) is a beginner level asana which can either be done as part of the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) routine or as an independent asana. It provides a great stretch for the whole back.

The word “bhujanga” in Sanskrit […]

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Spinal Twist) with video

Ardha-Matsyendrasana (spinal Twist)

(Ardha-Matsyendrasana – अर्धमत्स्येन्द्रासन) is a very commonly practiced seated spinal twisting pose. The word is a composite two Sanskrit words – ardha, meaning "half" and Matsyendra. The literal meaning of Matsyendra is "lord of fish". However, this pose is named after the great yogi, Matsyendranath, who according to some texts […]

Agni-stambhasana (Fire log pose)

Agni Stambhasana (Firelog pose)

If you haven’t tried the pose before and you look at a picture of the pose, the Agni-stambhasana [audio:http://www.integralyogastudio.com/sounds/agni-stambha.mp3] may seem deceptively simple. However, if you have tightness in the hips, knees or the ankles, this pose can become quite challenging. The word agni-stambha (अग्नि-स्तम्भ) is a composite of […]