Tag: flexibility
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Practice: Parivrtta Anjaneyasana Variation / Revolved Low Lunge Variation
Parivrtta = ‘revolved’ Anjaneyasana = Often known as ‘crescent pose’ or ‘crescent moon’, or less poetically as – ‘low lunge’ Twists are very much the group of postures we make much more difficult for ourselves than they need to be. Physically pushing towards a deeper twist usually directs more force into one particular part of the spine, which…
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Practice: Sucirandhrasana (Eye Of The Needle Pose)
If you’ve ever experienced lower back pain – and most people do at some point in life, you’ll know how limiting it can be to every-day activities. An aching lower back or ‘lumbago’ is common and usually disappears in a few weeks or months, although other causes such as a ruptured vertebral disk or sciatica…
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Practice: Preparation For Ardha Chandrasana (Mini Half Moon)
When there’s an imbalance between tension, flexibility and strength in the hips, this can often cause problems primarily in the lower back and knees, although as mentioned last week, an imbalance in one part of the body can effect just about any other part of us – physically, mentally and emotionally. The gluteus medius, and…
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Practice: Swimming Salabhasana (Inspired By Brahmani Yoga)
The lower back is a place a lot of us experience discomfort, in fact lower back pain is the number one cause of disability world-wide. (In this sense, disability means no longer being able to go about your day in the way you’re used to, so you may still be able to move around, but…
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Practice: Reverse Warrior
Also known as ‘sun warrior’ and ‘peaceful warrior’ this variation on the traditional virabhadrasana 2 gives a welcome opening to the sides of the body – notably the serratus anterior which we engage a lot during chatturangas and vinyasas, and the intercostal muscles which surround the ribs, helping to expand and open the upper body…
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Practice: Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)
Our bodies are built to move in a natural way, but unfortunately we have a habit of doing things that don’t necessarily serve us so well. Sitting in chairs for long periods of time, cycling, running on hard pavements in unsupportive shoes, and exercising on machines that don’t support the way our bodies naturally like to…
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Practice: Parivrtta Upavistha Konasana
When it comes to feeling that sense of opening, expanding and lengthening the body, Parivrtta Upavistha Konasana is one of those postures which can really help satisfy that sensation. Lengthening the calf muscles and hamstrings, while opening the rib cage and hips – this posture also teaches us a valuable lesson about the balance…
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Practice: Urdvha Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Splits)
‘Urdvha’ = ‘upward’ in this case ‘high up’ Prasarita = ‘extended or spread out’ Eka = ‘One’ Pada= ‘Foot’ Asana = ‘Pose’ In this asana – one foot is extended up high, creating a splits-like action with the legs. There are certain words which…
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Practice: Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana (Compass Pose)
Parivrtta = revolved Surya = Sun Yantra = Instrument Open your hips, hamstrings and shoulders in preparation to guide yourself in to compass pose. This pose requires patience, lots of warming up, and the ability to know the difference between listening to your body and listening to your ego. When we push ourselves in…
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Practice: Astavakrasana (Eight-Angled Pose)
Ashta = ‘Eight’ Vakra = ‘Bent / Curved’ Asana = ‘Pose’ Possibly in some people’s ‘crazy arm balance’ category, Astavakrasana takes patience and practice. It’s often something which people decide they ‘can’t do’ before they even try….. While it may look a little complicated, Astavakrasana is easier than it may first seem if you…
