Mention yoga to anyone who is unfamiliar with the practice, and you're likely, at some point, to elicit a mention of the downward dog posture. This standard move is utilized in nearly every subset, from Hatha to Vinyasa yoga, as well as every level, from beginner to advanced. Its universal nature makes

Bridge A bridge is a structure that connects two points. Bridges stretch over bodies of water, congested highways and through cities to connect people to each other. Without a bridge, different units that are separated by some sort of mass or space will have trouble working in unison. Bridges create

Ananda yoga is designed to harmonize your mind, body, and soul. It is generally regarded as one of the gentler forms of Hatha yoga. Although based on centuries old knowledge, it was founded in the 1960s by Swami Kriyananda, who followed Paramhansa Yogananda, the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, a classic

Dirgha pranayama or “three-part breathing” is usually one of the first breathing exercises new yogis learn. It is a great stress reliever, helping the mind to become calm, quiet and focused. This deep breathing exercise also flushes your internal organs with oxygen, which is often lacking during

Bolsters are an excellent yogic prop for both active and passive poses. Especially in restorative poses or when recovering from an injury, using bolters can help you focus on proper alignment and relaxation in the poses, rather than straining for position. What Is a Bolster? Bolsters are round, densely

Head to knee posture is a particular adaptation of the forward bending posture. In head to knee, you round your spine so that the forehead touches your straightened knees, using the hands as an aid. The Mechanics of Head to Knee Head to knee posture can be done in either a seated or standing position,

Balance is a core aspect of physical and mental wellbeing. When your body is well balanced you are less likely to fall and endure an injury. A good work-life balance also promotes mental wellbeing. Learning how to become balanced requires trust in yourself, your body, and your capabilities. As you start

The Bikram yoga style was developed by Bikram Choudhury, who derived a specific set of 26 poses from traditional Hatha yoga. These 26 poses are always done in the same order to enhance the physical benefits of going from one pose to the other. What Bikram yoga is most famous for, however, is the fact

The hot new trend in the world of yoga, aerial takes traditional poses to a whole new level, allowing participants to take on a degree of acrobatics rarely pursued in ordinary workouts. Although this variety of yoga is a better fit for more experienced yogis, it can, with the right modifications, be

Although Kundalini yoga has only been available in the West for a few years, the practice is much older than that and it includes the tenet of chanting. Yogi Bhajan brought Kundalini yoga to the west in 1969 when he founded the 3HO (healthy, happy, holy) organization to introduce the practice to the

Aerial - a unique yoga class using hammocks to aid yoga poses, some of which occur in the air. Ananda - a yoga style that uses poses, breathing, affirmations, and 39 "Energization Exercises" to awaken and control chakra energy. Anusara - a new (1997) form of yoga based on the "Tantric Philosophy of

Practicing yoga regularly will improve your fitness level, no doubt. But did you know that yoga offers specific benefits for PMS, people with MS (multiple sclerosis), pregnant women, children, and more? Take a look at seven yoga benefits you may have not considered. PMS Relief If you suffer from PMS,

There are many benefits of the corpse pose, also known as “Savasana” in Sanskrit. It is an easy pose for almost anyone to perform. It is often performed at the end of yoga classes or sets of other poses so that your body has time to integrate all of the benefits of the poses just performed. Corpse

Belts or straps are yoga props designed to help with the modification of intense yoga postures. Using a strap can help a practicing yogi focus on correct alignment in a position instead of straining, which can cause unbalance and injury. Unlike bolsters, which work best as props in passive poses, belts

The warrior posture is one of the most foundational poses of any yoga practice. This pose emulates strength—both mentally and physically. As you hold warrior pose, you stand firmly on your mat with your arms outstretched in an upward direction. Your legs are firm, your gaze straight up into the air.

Wondering why your joints click and pop when you perform yoga? Find out if the sounds are normal.