Benefits:
Helps strengthen abs, legs, back, and arms.
Improves balance.
Stretches sides of body.
Great heat opener/backbend.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Can start in wheel or downward facing dog. If starting in down dog slowly roll body over until you’re completely turned around.
Benefits:
Stretches knees, hips, and abdomen.
Improves posture.
Can help strengthen back muscles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start in Cobra pose, bend one knee in at a time and grab foot with hand. Gently push/pull foot towards back of thigh.
Tops of feet are pressing into ground, toes flat on ground.
Legs are engaged, flexed.
Shoulders are back.
Benefits:
Grounding pose.
Stretches ankles and knees.
Can help calm the brain.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Butt is firmly planted on the ground.
Legs are folded and feet are resting on tops of thighs.
Hands can be on the ground for support or rest on knees.
Back is straight and head is looking forward.
Shoulders are back and away from ears.
I have a shocking confession to make.
I have dreaded yoga and meditation a thousand times. Surprising words from a dedicated yoga teacher? Yes, I have dreaded yoga and meditation a thousand times, but I have never once regretted it. Resistance to the practice is something we might not expect, and when it arises it can really pull us off the mat or meditation cushion if we aren’t ready for it.
Benefits:
Helps strengthen the leg.
Stretches the thighs and knees.
Improves balance.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start standing on one leg, other leg bent.
Bent leg comes up like tree pose.
Reach down and pull foot across standing leg. Rest foot/ankle on thigh.
Keep foot flexed, not pointed.
Hands can be on hips -- wherever is most comfortable.
Pelvis is in a natural position.
Great side opener.
Helps tone core.
Strengthens back.
Start standing in Tadasana with arms above head and fingers interlaced.
Gently bend to one side, make sure not to force body over.
Keep feet firmly planted on the ground, legs are engaged.
Belly is toned and pelvis is in a natural position.
Head is looking forward, in natural position.
Benefits:
Can help relieve stress and mild depression.
Stretches the shoulders, and hamstrings.
Strengthens shoulders and arms.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Start by laying down on stomach.
Pick upper body up and use forearms to hold it up.
Can stay on knees or lift up legs and put weight on tucked toes.
Palms are flat on ground for extra balance.
Keep shoulder back and away from ears.
Can be looking down or straight ahead.
Benefits:
Can help improve posture.
Stretches organs, belly and stomach muscles.
Strengthens back and neck muscles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Your base includes, your legs, forearms, and back of head.
Start sitting up, place palms face down next to hips, slowly lean back onto forearms, and then rest head on ground.
Knees can be bent.
Weight is on forearms, not head.
Keep shoulders back and away from ears.
Benefits:
Can help improve balance.
Stretches shoulders and chest.
Will help strengthen legs and ankles.
Foundation & General Alignment:
Foot flat on the ground .
Standing leg is engaged and straight.
Second leg is bent and hand from same side of body is holding on to it.
Raise bent leg up and back.
Hand can be gripping top of foot or inner side of foot.
Free hand is straight in front of body for balance.
The word mudra is a Sanskrit word meaning a hand gesture that symbolizes something – and accordingly bestows joy and happiness. Mudras are considered so very important because it is said that our hands are full of our karmic energy, while our fingers are like plugs that help exchange energy between our pranic force (life energy) and the universal cosmic energy.