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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 […]

Two twisting poses – Bharadwajasana and Padma-Marichyasana

Bharadwajasana

Asanas that involve a spinal twist are known to offer many benefits. The most commonly listed benefits include improving blood circulation in the body, enhanced mobility and range of motion of the spine, detoxification and cleansing of the organs. One of the most commonly practiced asanas in this category is the Ardha-matsyendrasana. […]

Reclining Hip Opening Poses, part 1

In a previous post, I talked about a few of the seated hip opening stretches. Today, I would like to present some of the hip opening poses that are done in the reclining position.

I hope you will enjoy watching the video and practicing with me.

Reclining Leg Lift with strap (Supta […]

Laghu Shankha Prakshalana (colon cleanse – short version)

Udarakarshanasana

In the classical yoga text, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, six cleansing techniques, called Shat-karma, are described. These are:

Neti (nasal cleansing) Basti (like an enema) Dhauti (alimentary canal cleansing) Trataka (for the eyes) Kapalabhati (breathing technique for purifying the nervous system) Nauli (abdominal churning)

The practice of Dhauti as given in the […]

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 […]

Reclining Twist to relieve back pain

Lower back pain is perhaps the single most commonly mentioned reason why people join yoga classes. There are several yoga poses that are recommended for taking care of lower back pain – for example, Marjarasana (cat & cow), Pawanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose), Balasana (child pose), all twisting poses etc. One of the poses that I […]

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 […]

Twisting Head-to-knee pose and Pashchimottanasana

Janu-shirshasana (जानु-शीर्षासन) – is a composite of two Sanskrit words – Janu means the knee and Shirsha means the head or the forehead. So the literal translation of the pose is head-to-knee pose.

Twisting Janu-shirshasana is a variation on the traditional head-to-knee pose. In this pose, in addition to the forward bending […]

Having trouble sleeping at night?

Most of us go through experiences periodically when we have trouble falling asleep when we go to bed. There are other times when you happen to wake up in the middle of the night, either due to a dream, some noise, or just because you have to go to the toilet, and then […]

Parivritta Trikonasana (Revolving Triangle Pose)

Parivritta Trikonasana (Revolving Triangle Pose) – परिवृत्तत्रिकोणासन – is an intermediate level pose which can be considered a standing twist and provides a great stretch for the hips, the hamstrings, spine, shoulders and the legs. It also provides some challenge in maintaining balance while in the pose.

When you see a picture […]